New Hampton ends season for GHV boys

Cold third quarter dooms Cards in District quarterfinal game

The season ended Saturday for the Garner-Hayfield/Ventura boys at the hand of New Hampton, 68-42, in the District quarterfinal played at New Hampton.

“We had a tough task to knock off a very talented New Hampton team,” said GHV Coach Joe Albertson.  “We had to play hard, smart, and unselfish basketball to stay with them.”

Early on, the game seemed to be going according to Albertson’s plan, as Spencer Shaw hit a couple of  shots in the first quarter to help the Cardinals build a six-point lead going into the second quarter, 13-7.

“Even though New Hampton made a run prior to half, I was proud of how the boys did not quit and found a way to go into half with the lead,” said the coach.  The Cards clung to a 24-23 advantage at the break.

Through most of the third quarter each team had trouble scoring, but New Hampton started getting hot at the end of the third.  They outscored GHV, 20-4, in the quarter to take control.

“We could not match their run, and we began to force things offensively and gamble on defense,” said Albertson.  “The boys gave it a shot, but it was not our moment.   In the end the seniors taught the underclassmen a lot, and they will be missed.”

Seniors Joel Toppin and Braden Meints were the leading scorers in the final game with nine points apiece.  Spencer Shaw and Jake Wolf, also seniors, each scored four.  Seniors Jimmy Ermer and Adam Monson had three points apiece, while Luke Wolf had two.  Another senior, Teddy Zrostlik, did not score, but helped the team with three rebounds.

Freshman Holden Hutcheson and sophomore Harley Flory were the only other scorers with four and two points respectively.

Toppin and Logan Ryerson were the leading rebounders for the Cards, with four boards apiece.

The Cardinals finished the 2013-14 campaign with a 12-11 record.