(Atlantic) Kuemper Catholic improved to 5-0 with a dominant 94-63 victory at Atlantic on Tuesday. The Knights, known for their fast-paced offense that averages 82.5 points per game, had five players finish in double figures.
Ryan Clair led the way with 21 points, followed by Dylan Schon with 18, Griffin Glynn with 16, Jack Badding with 13, and Carson Kanne with 10. Atlantic was paced by Gavin McLaren, who scored 25 points, with Kinnick Juhl adding 13 and Shelton Maulia contributing 10.
The Knights, who led 11-7 midway through the first quarter, went on a 15-10 run to extend their lead to 26-17 by the end of the period. They increased their advantage to 49-29 by halftime, with Schon and Kanne leading the way, scoring 11 and 10 points, respectively. Kuemper’s first-half points came primarily from close range, but in the second half, their offense shifted, with four three-pointers contributing 32 points to their total. By the end of the third quarter, the Knights led 81-52. The Trojans responded with a strong 23-point effort in the third, highlighted by Kinnick Juhl’s two three-pointers. The scoring slowed in the final stanza with the visitors outscoring the Trojans 13 to 11.
Atlantic Head Coach Dalton Franken admitted his squad had some fight at the end, but felt the intensity and focus lacked at the beginning.
One bright spot was Gavin McLaren’s season high 25-points. The junior enter the game averaging 14.
In addition to the three players in double figures for Atlantic, Reid Woodward contributed 6 points, Sawyer Tarrell added 3, and Hudson McLaren, Grant Petty, and Hunter Nelson each scored 2. The Trojans, with a 1-4 record, will travel to Lewis Central on Friday.
For Kuemper, the scoring was balanced with Tregan Beiter’s 7 points, Nash Leonard contributing 6, and Ryan Sundrup adding 3. The Knights will face Winnebago on Thursday at the Tyson Events Center.
