Jets Place 3rd at Pioneer Conference 2010
February 2, 4 & 6, 2010

Jets take 3^rd place at Pioneer Conference Tournament

            The Sterling Boys basketball went 2-1 this last week, finishing 3^rd place at the Pioneer Conference basketball tournament.

            All three contests were close, as the Jets defeated Johnson-Brock in the quarterfinals 55-50. 

            Nebraska City Lourdes, which the Jets had beaten back on January 23^rd, used a strong second quarter to hold on to a 43-39 victory.  Sterling finished the tournament with a 3^rd place win over Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinaur 53-50.

            Head coach Jimmy Motz was pleased with his team’s week and bouncing back after a tough loss in the semifinals.

            “I felt we had a good week in terms of finding a way to win two ball games” said Motz.  “We’ve had a tough stretch of games here against quality opponents and to come out with 8 wins and only 1 loss is huge.  My biggest concern was us not coming out ready to play in the 3^rd place game but we really got after it.”

JOHNSON-BROCK

            The Jets avenged an early set back to the Eagles, where Johnson-Brock won the previous meeting 55-52.

            It was a 16-10 scoring advantage in the third quarter, which propelled Sterling to a six point lead going into the fourth quarter.  The game had been tied at 21-21 at halftime.

            Austin Magill’s three point shot early in the fourth quarter made it 40-31, Sterling’s largest lead of the game. 

            Johnson-Brock managed to cut the contest to four points late, but Klay Heusman hit two critical free throws to seal the win for the Jets.

            Heusman led all scorers with 13 points, adding three assists.  Zach Lempka and Connor Malone were each in double figures with 12 and 10 points.  Lempka also grabbed 12 rebounds and Malone 7 rebounds. 

            “We played much harder and competed better this time out” said Motz.  “I felt we had some guys step up and make some things happen.  Austin Magill and Colin VanGroningen did a nice job all-around.”

NEBRASKA CITY LOURDES

            Lourdes came out strong and held on to the four point victory.  The Knights used an 11-0 run in the second quarter to maintain a second half lead.

            Sterling tied the game late at 37-37 when Jake Wirthele nailed a three point shot.  Lourdes answered on the other end with a Ryan Durr three pointer to make it 40-37. 

            Missed opportunities and free throws was the difference down the stretch, as Sterling had ample chances at the foul line. 

            “We couldn’t capitalize down the stretch with some possessions and free throws” said Motz.  “That didn’t lose us the game though; it was a multitude of plays in the first half.  Lourdes did a nice job of making plays and flying around on both ends.  We didn’t have that same energy or competitiveness.”

            Klay Heusman led the Jets with 10 points.  Zach Lempka added 8 points and 12 rebounds and Jake Wirthele pitched in 7.

H-TR-S

            The Jets jumped all over the Titans early and led 33-17 at the half.  Klay Heusman fueled the Jets run in the first half, scoring 14 of his game high 23 points in the frame, including three three-point shots. 

            The Titans made a run though in the second half, and outscored Sterling 17-8 in the third quarter, and cut the Jets lead to one point late in the game.  Heusman stuck two big free throws late to push the lead to 53-50.

            H-TR-S had one last chance, but the three point attempt by Aric Schnacker fell short.

            Connor Malone scored 10 points in the win.  Jake Wirthele and Zach Lempka each had 8 points in the victory.

            “I liked our effort and the way we got after it in the first half” said Motz.  “You knew the H-TR-S kids wouldn’t quit and they fought like crazy to get back in the game.  We had some unforced turnovers and missed free throws the second half.  It comes down to finishing games better.  So we still have some things to work on.”

            Sterling only has two games remaining in the regular season, which will give the Jets a chance to work on some things and get some much needed rest.

            “It’s been full throttle with games here lately, so having some time to practice and rest will be important for us entering district play.”

            Sterling visits Omaha Christian Academy Saturday for a 5:30pm tip.  The game is being played at College of St. Mary’s in Omaha.

                          1     2    3    4     F

Sterling              12    9   16  18   55

Johnson-Brock  12    9   10  19   50

S- Salberg 5, Magill 6, Heusman 13, VanGroningen 6, Malone 10, Lempka 12, J. Parrish 3

                              1     2    3    4   F

Sterling                  11    8    7  10  39

Neb. City Lourdes 12  15    7   9   43

S- Salberg 4, Wirthele 7, Heusman 10, VanGroningen 4, Malone 3, Lempka 8, J. Parrish 3

                           1    2    3    4    F

Humblodt-TR-S  8    9   17  16  50

Sterling              20   13   8   12  53

S- Wirthele 8, Heusman 23, VanGroningen 3, Malone 10, Lempka 8, J. Parrish 1