March 28, 2024

Too much to handle

Wolverines hang with Eagles until final frame

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EARLHAM – The Nodaway Valley boys hung with a powerful Ankeny Christian team Tuesday night, but ultimately could not finish in the fourth quarter, falling 76-61.

The Wolverines showed early command of the game, going on a 8-0 run to extend their lead to 15-7 in the first quarter.

Despite Nodaway Valley’s success on offense, the defensive end had problems stopping the Eagles’ Caleb Grizzle.

The 6-foot-7-inch senior scored 12 straight points for the Eagles in the first quarter. He had 22 at the end of the first half.

With both teams playing an uptempo offense, the Wolverines found themselves able to cycle the ball to find the open man and attack the baseline for scores, leaving Ankeny Christian defenders scrambling.

Ankeny Christian’s offensive plan was similar in both cycling on offense until the eventual lane or shot opened.

For the Eagles, it more often than not ended up in Grizzles’s hands.

“We had to make sure we had a guy there, near him every single time,” said Nodaway Valley co-head coach James Larson. “With his height he can get a shot off over anybody. ... He doesn’t need much time to shoot, so having a guy in his vicinity knowing where he’s at and locating him (is key).”

The Wolverines’ adjustments to limit Grizzle came in the second half, limiting him to just five points as he finished with 27 points.

With the score tied at 35-35 coming out of halftime, the Wolverines found themselves scoring from beyond the arc as Eagles defenders collapsed on the inside, preventing the interior score.

The Wolverines landed six field goals in the third quarter, none coming inside the 3-point line.

Two Wolverine scorers finished with four triples in Brady Hilpipre and Josh Baudler. Hilpipre finished the night with 18 points and Baudler finished with 12.

The deep shooting in the third kept NV within reach, with the deficit reaching no more than three points.

With the score locked at 53-53, the Wolverines looked to put away an Ankeny Christian team that has yet to lose this season.

The Eagles entered the fourth quarter just as ready, connecting on two triples to start the final frame and then got two free throws to make it an eight point deficit for Nodaway Valley.

Soon, the deficit grew to 12, and Nodaway Valley could not pull itself out of the hole despite aggressively trying to attack the hoop.

“(Nic) Wirsham hit those two three’s. ... Those really hurt. They’re good enough where they can stall for the remaining six minutes or whatever it may be, so we had to go aggressive. ... Offensively we couldn’t get anything going. ...We keep needing to be aggressive,” said Larson.

The loss for the Wolverines marks the end of their season, wrapping up with a 15-8 record.

Seniors

Tuesday’s game also is the final in four Nodaway Valley player’s careers.

Cole Shike, Brady Hilpipre, Aryll Shantz and Grant Meisenheimer all played pivotal roles on the team, said Larson.

“Three of the four played baseline and got a lot of those rebounds for us, so we’re going to miss them rebounding wise,” said Larson. “I know the underclassmen are ready, but we’re going to miss those seniors. They did a lot for us, I’m so happy for them.”

Shantz and Shike finished the night with eight and five points points, respectively. Meisenheimer did not score.

“I’m going to miss them and I’m thankful for everything they’ve done,” said Larson.

Ankeny Christian Academy 76, Nodaway Valley 61

ACA (76) — 14 21 18 23

NV (61) — 15 20 18 8

ANKENY CHRISTIAN (FG FT PTS) — Totals – 25 14-24 76. Caleb Grizzle 9 3-6 27, Nic Worsham 6 0-0 16, Chad Elrod 5 4-7 14, Jayce Goergen 2 5-7 11, David Nelson 1 2-4 4, Daniel Lounsbrough 2 0-0 4, . 3-point goals – 12 (Grizzle 6, Worsham 4, Goergen 2). Team fouls — 12. Fouled out — none.

NODAWAY VALLEY (FG FT PTS) — Totals — 22 4-7 61. Brady Hilpire 7 0-0 18, Clay Hohertz 5 0-2 12, Josh Baudler 4 0-0 12, Aryll Shantz 2 4-5 8, Toby Bower 2 0-0 6, Cole Shike 2 0-0 5. 3-point goals – 13 (Baudler 4, Hilpipre 4, Bower 2, Hohertz 2). Team fouls — 14. Fouled out — Shantz, Hohertz.