LeRoy-Ostrander’s boys basketball had a big first week after the New Year. Versus Houston in a non-conference game, each team had a 30-point scorer. Cardinal senior forward Tanner Olson dropped a career-high 36 points (17-37 FGs, 6 rebs, 6 stls). Hurricane senior forward Tanner Kubitz dropped a career-high 30 points (9-18 FGs, 10-14 FTs, 15 rebs). The Hurricanes battled to end a long losing-streak, leading L-O 28-26 at halftime. But the Cardinals overcame a young double-H squad (four freshman who play), posting a 71-58 win. Levi Royston added 10 points for L-O. Gavin Sweeney chipped in 7 (pts) and 4 (rebs). Nine Cardinals scored. Kubitz had over half his team’s points. Frosh Casey Herek helped (8 pts, 5-6 FTs, 5 rebs). Houston hit 6 of 19 threes (32%) while L-O was 0 for 12. The ‘Canes also sank 20 of 33 free throws (61%) to L-O’s 9 of 19 (47%). But the Cardinals had 24 steals. Houston committed 39 turnovers. A couple nights later, L-O welcomed Lanesboro, again for non-con action. The Burros jumped out 7-0, but following an impressive contested dunk by Olson, the Cardinals closed to down 11-9. They then went empty on 11 straight possessions. Lanesboro built a 20-9 lead. Burro Mason Howard dropped four first half threes, Stephan Schultz added 13 points in the stanza, and Matt Asleson’s crew led 33-26 at intermission. The Burro lead was as many as 12 in the second half (48-36). Trailing 57-50, L-O hit three triples over four possessions, the last two back-to-back by Royston, a 6’3” senior guard. The game was suddenly tied at 59. In the final minute, Lanesboro led 63-61 when, after a Burro missed free throw, Royston went coast-to-coast to tie the game at 61. In the final 0:10, Burro Logan Torgerson’s lay-up was blocked by Camden Hungerholt. The game went to overtime. L-O led just once in regulation, 61-59 following a driving layup by Chase Johnson. In the extra session, Lanesboro led 69-65 only for L-O to score the final six points. A Royston spinning “J” in the lane tied the game at 69. A Johnson runner off the window in the final 0:20 put L-O ahead 71-69. Lanesboro had a chance for the tie at the buzzer but the shot didn’t fall. L-O prevailed 71-69 in OT. The Cards were led by the duo of Royston (24 pts, 4-6 threes, 10-15 FGs, 10 rebs) and Olson (22 pts, 19 rebs, 4 blks), who each posted double-doubles. Johnson chipped in 13 points. The trio scored 59 of L-O’s 71. Howard had a career-high to lead all-scorers (29 pts, 10-18 FGs, 7-12 threes), as he splashed seven trifectas. John Prestemon (12 pts, 7 rebs, 11 asts, 4 stls) posted a point-assist double-double. Schultz (13 pts, 6-8 FGs) scored all his points in the first half. Parker Storhoff chipped in 9 points. Each team shot well from deep; Lanesboro 10 of 25 (40%), L-O 9 of 18 (50%). L-O won the glass 42 to 32. The Cardinals then trekked to GM and played another tight contest. The game had 11 ties and 10 lead changes. The largest lead was six, by the Larks at 44-38 in the second half. But L-O replied with a 16-5 run from about the 8-minute mark down to the final minute. They led 54-49. GM senior Roman Warmka then hit a three making it 54-52, but the Larks missed two free throws and two threes after and L-O prevailed 56-52. Olson (18 pts, 8-10 FGs, 5 rebs), Sweeney (11 pts, 10 rebs), Johnson (10 pts), and Royston (9 pts, 8 rebs) led the way. Warmka (15 pts, 5 reb), Jace Kraft (15 pts, 7 rebs, 5 asts), and Taylor Glynn (13 pts, 6 rebs) paced GM. Warmka was in foul trouble in the second half after scoring 12 in the first. L-O hit 7 of 21 threes (33%) to GM’s 7 of 26 (27%). They hit 21 of 47 field goals (45%) to GM’s 18 of 53 (34%). It was L-O’s first win over GM in eight tries (including last year’s 59-12 Lark win). Ryan Evans’ Cards (3-1, 6-2) ran their win streak to four games, their best streak since nine in a row in 2017-2018. GM fell to 2-3, 5-6.
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