(Audubon, IA) — It was over before it started. AC/GC went on a 9-0 run to start the game and then after an IKM Manning free throw, the Chargers went on another 8-0 run and they ran away with a district title on Tuesday night 83-56 and will advance to the Substate Finals on Saturday night.
The Chargers just simply could not miss — Joe Crawford hit five three pointers in the first half and had 19 points at halftime. Jathan South had 16 points in the first half mostly on drives to the basket but had two threes as well. Noah Kading was also in double figures at the half with 10. AC/GC shot 58 percent from the floor (19-33) in the first half and were 9-18 on their three point shots and led 51-17 at the half.
The second half opened with a Charger lay-up and that made the game running clock the rest of the way. South would lead with 23 points, Crawford had 20, Noah Kading and Payton Policky each added 14 and Mason Wahl had 7.
Ben Ramsey the leading scorer for IKM Manning would finish with 32 points but the Wolves did not make a basket until the 1:28 mark of the first quarter — it came on a Ramsey three and he had all of his team’s 8 points in the opening quarter and 14 of the team’s 17 points at the half. IKM Manning finishes their season at 12-12 and returns all of its starters for next season.
AC/GC is now 22-2 and will face Remsen St. Mary’s in the Substate Finals — the Hawks beat St. Albert 52-37 in the other district final. The game will be played in Rockwell City at South Central Calhoun Middle School, we will have coverage on KS 95 with Cyclone basketball on KSOM.
Post Game Interview with Junior Joe Crawford