Southwestern dominates Peru State JV 85-45

Southwestern men’s basketball picked up its third straight win Friday night, winning in convincing fashion over Peru State JV in an 85-45 final.

Peru State held its only lead of the game in the early stages of the contest, going up 5-0 off a fast break layup from a Spartan turnover and an open three.

The scores prompted a timeout by SWCC head coach Devin Kastrup. The stoppage brought out a new Spartan team that went off on a 19-2 run to make the score 19-7, giving themselves the lead with some insurance.

Later on, after allowing a triple in their own end, the Spartans got a three from Sebastian Zehnder to go ahead 25-13.

The score started a 24-0 run across approximately seven and a half minutes of play, shutting out the Bobcats to close out the half at a 46-13 lead.

The combination of the defense locking down their half and the confidence on offense increasing was what led to SWCC putting the game in a stranglehold.

“I think it really speaks more to our defense,” said Kastrup. “I think our guys were really locked in on that end and offensively the lid came off the basket in spurts. We were finally starting to get jump shots that we’ve been getting all year.”

The first half was enough for Southwestern to not need a basket throughout the second half, rolling en route to the 40-point victory.

The defense locking down a Peru State team which was expected to be playing at a high tempo came off a combination of the defense getting back in transition and the offense knocking down quality shots.

“When we get back in transition and we force teams to play against us 5-on-5 in the half court, we’re going to be tough to score on. We do that because we take good shots and we hustle back,” said Kastrup. “When we’re doing that, that’s what’s going to create great defense for us and that’s how we’re going to slow them down.

Southwestern closed out the ballgame with a 9-0 run. Scoring in the second half, propelled by free throws and 3-point field goals, are a good sign for a young SWCC team as conference play nears.

“I think it’s good for the guys to get some confidence and start seeing the ball going through the net,” said Kastrup. “(To) start putting some belief in what we’re doing on the offensive end and to couple that with how we played defensively, I think we played a complete (first) half and (24-0) run there and a complete game.”

The Spartans were led by James Kelley with 16 points, eight of which came from a perfect 8-for-8 night at the free throw line. Kelley also ha a team-high seven rebounds.

Zehnder (14), Donzell Johnson (11) and Akeen Woods (10) were other SWCC scorers who amassed double-digit totals.

Woods had six rebounds three assists and three steals. Demetrius Johnson had six boards with two assists and three steals also.

Off the bench, Charles Johnson had five rebounds and four points. Creshaun Brown was the leader off the bench with nine points, assisting two scores.

In honor of Bill

The Southwestern Spartans played Friday night’s game donning a last second jersey addition. On the upper left area of the jersey in blue and red were the initials for Bill Taylor, former Southwestern head coach and local influence to many current and former athletes.

Among those who were emotional in the loss of Taylor was former Southwestern player turned head coach Devin Kastrup.

Despite never playing under Taylor during his SWCC career, Kastrup explained how important he was to him during his time as a student.

“Bill was a very big influence in my life at Southwestern,” said Kastrup. “He was here for me all the time as a player. I knew I wanted to coach and I used to meet with him constantly about different ideas and leadership things. He guided me through my two years.”

The impact of Taylor did not stop after Kastrup’s graduation from SWCC. The two remained in contact until his return to Creston several years later.

“Once I left we stayed in contact," said Kastrup. "He helped me through a couple of situations and once the opportunity arose for me to come back, he was a major advocate of me coming back. I basically feel like the man that I have become and the opportunities I have been given at Southwestern would not have been made possible without that man. He’ll be dearly missed.

“If I am even a fraction of the coach he was, I’ll be pretty good,” added Kastrup.

UP NEXT – The win for the Spartans makes them 3-1, officially matching the win total from the 2018-19 season.

With conference opponents around the corner, including a home match against NJCAA No. 5 ranked Highland (4-0) Tuesday at 7 p.m., the Spartans believe they’re hitting their stride, but have much to work on with plenty of games remaining on the schedule.

Update: Tuesday's game has been relocated to Highland for Wednesday night. Tipoff is still scheduled for 7 p.m.

Southwestern 85, Peru State JV 45

PSC (45) — 13 32

SWCC (85) — 46 39

PERU STATE JV (FG FT PTS) — No available statistics.

SOUTHWESTERN (FG FT PTS) — Totals —32 10-12 85. FG shooting — 32-66 (48.5 percent). James Kelley 4 8-8 16, Sebastian Zehnder 5 0-0 14, Donzell Johnson 4 0-0 11, Akeen Woods 5 0-0 10, Creshaun Brown 3 0-0 9, Kyle Hawthorne 4 0-0 8, Demetrius Johnson 3 1-2 7, Mayiel Wugol 2 1-2 6, Charles Johnson 2 0-0 4, Noah Nichols 0 0-0 0. 3-point goals — 11-27 (Zehnder 4, Creshaun Brown 3, Donzell Johnson 3, Wugol 1). Rebounds — 34 (Kelley 7, Demetrius Johnson 6, Woods 6, Charles Johnson 5, Donzell Johnson 4). Assists — 15 (Kelley 4, Woods 3). Steals — 10 (Woods 3). Blocked shots — 2. Turnovers — 16. Team fouls — N/A. Fouled out — None.