(Harlan) Harlan hung on for a 55-53 boys basketball win at home on Tuesday night over Lewis Central.
Connor Frame and Jacob Birch each scored 18 points for the Cyclones, which move to 8-0 on the season. Lewis Central closed within one point on five different occasions in the 2nd half, but Harlan never gave up the lead.
Aidan Hall scored six quick points in the first quarter to get Harlan off to a good start, but once Hall picked up his second foul the Cyclone offense slowed. They managed a 13-6 lead after one quarter.
After Lewis Central gave up an early 3-pointer in the 2nd quarter they embarked on a 10-2 run. This stretch was highlighted by Cole Arnold’s 3-point shooting. The sophomore knocked in six shots beyond the arc on the night and finished with a game high 24 points. The Titans got as close as 18-16 before Harlan responded with a 10-3 spurt and led 28-22 at the break. Jacob Birch took advantage of some good looks late in the 2nd quarter and put up a team best 8 first half points.
More solid outside shooting from Arnold along with some interior offense from Wyatt Hatcher and Colby Souther helped Lewis Central inch closer in the 3rd. Hatcher finished with 10 points and Souther scored 8 in the game The Titans rallied within 35-34, 37-36, 39-38, and 41-40, but never managed to sneak a lead. Birch hit a 3-pointer in the final seconds of the 3rd quarter to push Harlan’s lead to 44-40.
Connor Frame had two dunks on the night and was a key offensive force for the Cyclones in the 2nd half. He helped the home squad build a 49-42 advantage before LC rallied back. JC Dermody stepped up with two big 3-pointers in the 4th to snug things up. Lewis Central got another crack at the lead when they got within 51-50 and had possession of the ball, but couldn’t come up with the big basket they needed.
Harlan got some timely 3’s in the 2nd half from Brayton Schechinger and Teagon Kasperbauer to help them get the win. Kasperbauer subbed in for the injured Brad Curren and scored 9 points.
Lewis Central had a chance to tie the game on their final possession. With five seconds left Dermody drove the length of the floor and had the ball knocked away out of bounds. The Titans got to throw the ball in underneath their own hoop with a half second remaining, but Harlan denied them from getting a shot off in time.
Harlan maintains their lead in the Hawkeye Ten standings at 6-0. Lewis Central drops to 4-4 overall and 4-2 in the conference.
