Jets VS HTRS, Sidney, IA & Lewiston
Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, Jan. 26, 28 & 29, 2010

Three game sweep boosts Jets to 13-3

            The Sterling Boys basketball team had a big week, recording three wins this past week.

            The Jets defeated Class C-1 Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinaur in overtime 60-52, downed Sidney, IA 61-45 and went on the road to Lewiston to win a 58-37 battle.  The three wins improve Sterling’s record to 13-3 on the season entering the Pioneer Conference tournament this week.

            Head coach Jimmy Motz was very happy with his team’s performance for the week, winning five games over an eight day stretch.

            “We had a rapid fire of games over an eight day stretch due to the snow outs” said Motz.  “This last week, we won three games three different ways.  Our kids are getting better and more confidence in themselves and are starting to believe in what were doing.  I like the direction and approach we’re going.”

H-TR-S

            The first 26 minutes was controlled by the Jets, which built a lead as many as 14 points in the fourth quarter before the Titans fought back.

            Sterling led 34-20 with 6:36 left in the game before H-TR-S outscored the Jets 28-14 in the final period to send the game to overtime.

            Foul shooting became critical in the extra frame, where Sterling hit 8 of 10 free throws in overtime.  For the game, Sterling shot 24 of 31 from the charity stripe. 

            Sterling went ahead in overtime on a Colin VanGroningen basket to make it 50-48.  After H-TR-S hit one of two free throws, Jese Salberg hit a jump shot to extend the lead to 52-49. 

            H-TR-S trailed as many as six, but Aric Schnacker hit a two point shot to cut it to four at 56-52.  After some controversy, H-TR-S’ bench was assessed a technical foul, which resulted in a four point possession for Sterling to secure the win.

            “H-TR-S didn’t quit and that’s a credit to them” Motz said.  “We had some opportunities to close the game out, but we had some bad turnovers and possessions which let them back in the game.  But we found a way to win and that is what’s most important this time of year.”

            Jake Wirthele led the Jets with 15 points, while three others were in double figures.  Zach Lempka had 14 points, Connor Malone pitched in 12 points, and Klay Heusman chipped in 10, which included the game tying basket to send it to overtime.

SIDNEY, IOWA

            Klay Heusman’s hot shooting from the perimeter sparked the Jet offense, where he hit 5 of 7 three point shots for a game high 15 points in the 16 point win. 

            Heusman made four of five three’s in the first half, which helped Sterling jump out to a 31-24 halftime lead.

            Sterling managed to pull away in the third quarter, outscoring the Cowboys 18-8. 

            Three other Jets were in double figures, with Jese Salberg, Jake Wirthele, and Connor Malone all scoring 10 points in the win.

            “The nice thing about this game is we had balance across the board scoring wise” Motz said.  “Sidney was more physical and tougher than we were that night and we didn’t play with that fire consistently.  But we had some other kids step up and make some things happen.”

LEWISTON

            Lewiston jumped on Sterling in the first half, leading as much as nine early on, but the Jets went on a 7-0 run to tie the game at 23-23 after one half.

            The second half was a different story.  The Jets scored the first 23 points of the second half, sparked by Jake Wirthele’s 12 point third quarter performance.  Sterling held the Tigers to just two field goals the third quarter, one in which was a desperation toss at the buzzer.

            Wirthele had 14 points in the victory, while Zach Lempka added 12 and Connor Malone tallied 10 points.

            Sterling also hit foul shots, making 18 of 22 free throws.

            “Lewiston was ready to play and we were not and it was evident” said Motz.  “They played hard and I told their coach that afterwards.  They have a very young team and they hung tough.  I felt our effort and competitiveness the second half was much better.”

            Sterling now moves on to tournament play this week.  Motz says it’s a big week for the Jets.

            “It’s a wide open tournament.  The teams in our conference are getting better and everyone feels they’ve got a shot at winning it.  We’re going to have to get ready to go because the team who wins this tournament will be the toughest.”

                1     2     3     4     OT    F

Sterling    10   12   7     19    12    60

H-TR-S   7     8    5     28      4    52

S- Salberg 7, Wirthele 15, Heusman 10, VanGroningen 2, Malone 12, Lempka 14

                   1     2     3     4      F

Sterling       10   21  18    12    61

Sidney, IA  11   13    8    13    45

S- Salberg 10, Wirthele 10, Magill 4, Heusman 15, VanGroningen 5, Malone 10, Lempka 7

                  1    2    3    4    F

Lewiston  13   10   5    9   37

Sterling      8   15  23  12  58

S- Salberg 6, Wirthele 14, Magill 6, Heusman 4, VanGroningen 2, Malone 10, Lempka 12, J. Parrish 4