(Atlantic) A big third-quarter run pushed Atlantic past Harlan 63-47 in a Hawkeye Ten Conference boys’ basketball game at Atlantic on Thursday night.
“I am extremely proud of these guys,” said Atlantic Head Coach Jeff Ebling. “We had to match Harlan’s physicality, we knew they were big bodies and good athletes, and we had to control the glass to be successful, and I thought we did that.”
The first quarter ended in a 17-17 tie, and the second quarter went much the same way. Garrett Reynolds sparked the Trojans with nine-second quarter points, including a perfect five-for-five from the free-throw line. The Cyclones answered with three-long range shots. Brayton Schechinger came off the bench and sparked the Cyclones offense with two-three point buckets, and Bradley Curren buried one. Will McLaughlin’s buzzer-beating layup lifted the Cyclones to a 32-31 advantage at the break.
The second half was a different story. The Trojans outscored the Cyclones 17-5 in the third quarter. Atlantic senior Skyler Handlos led the charge with 11-points, including two-long range counters to boost the Trojans to a 48-37 lead. The momentum stayed with the home team in the final frame as well. The Trojans outscored Harlan 15-10. Ethan Sturm hit a key three-point basket. Garrett Reynolds scored twice, and Handlos and Templeton chipped in two-points apiece to seal the deal.
“Ethan Williams picked up a couple of quick fouls, and Garrett Reynolds came off the bench and produced for us tonight,” said Ebling. “Garrett didn’t try to do too much; he did what he needed to do and gave us that spark. Harlan always has a good team, and Coach Osborn is one of the best, and to beat them is a credit to our boys.”
Skyler Handlos led the Trojans with 26-points, Garrett Reynolds 14-points, and Dayton Templeton added 11 for Atlantic now (5-5), overall, and (4-1) in conference play. Grant Sturm added six points, Ethan Sturm three, Caden Andersen two, and Ethan Williams chipped in one-point for the Trojans.
Connor Frame led the Cyclones with 12, Bradley Curren, 8, Brayton Schechinger, and Aidan Hall each scored six-points, Keagan Kasperbauer and Will McLaughlin ended the night with 5, Isaiah Ahrenholtz 4, and Jacob Birch chipped in one.
Atlantic hosts Creston on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. Harlan, now 5-6 overall and 5-2 in Conference games, hosts Denison-Schleswig on Tuesday.
