(Elk Horn, IA) – Exira-EHK continues on their winning path as the Spartans have now won nine straight games with their victory over Riverside on Thursday night 75-64. Head Coach Tony Santistaben was proud of how his boys played in the first half as they led going into the second half 36-21. In the third and early fourth quarter, the Bulldogs started to pull themselves back into the game with the shooting from Cole Jeppesen and Mason McCready as they knocked down a few key buckets to push the Bulldogs within five. The Spartans recollected themselves and went on a 13-0 run to put themselves over Riverside.
KSOM’s player of the game, Josh Nelson, led the Spartans on the night with a total of 28 points, 19 of which came in the second half of action for his season-high. He continued to be the main guy when it came to scoring in the paint for the Spartans while also playing a pivotal role on the defensive side.
Right alongside Nelson was Cash Emgarten with 18 points while Aiden Flathers also had 12 points on the night as these two remained in control of the hardwood and pushed the tempo all night for Exira-EHK.
Looking at the other top scorers on the night for Exira-EHK, Jackson Radcliff finished off the double-digit scorers for the Spartans with 10 points. Jaiden Pettepier had four points, Jonas LaCanne knocked in 2 points, and Jameson Kilworth had a free-throw for one point. The next step for these boys is the district final against Woodbine, a team that Exira-EHK had already beaten twice this season and clinched the Rolling Valley Conference title over.
Josh Nelson is ready to show Woodbine what Exira-EHK is made of as he is looking to fully seal the deal next Tuesday.
Exira-EHK jumps back on the hardwood next Tuesday, February 20th against Woodbine for a 7:00 p.m. tipoff.
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