Two wins and a loss for GHV boys

With wins over Belmond-Klemme and North Union and a loss to Forest City, the Garner-Hayfield/Ventura boys moved their records to 3-2 in the North Iowa Conference and 3-2 overall.

Forest City 67, GHV 53

The GHV boys had a tough night against Forest City when the Cardinals hosted the Indians on Tuesday, Dec. 9.

“We knew we had a tough task ahead of us even if Forest City wasn’t at full strength,” said Coach Joe Albertson.  “Early on we had trouble containing their point guard, keeping them out of the paint, and hitting shots.

Forest City jumped to a 9-3 lead to start the game.  GHV closed the gap, 9-7, but from there the Indians went on a seven point run to end the first quarter, 16-7.

Forest City outscored GHV 19-15 in the second quarter to take a 35-22 lead into the locker room at the half.

The Cardinals made adjustments at the break and outscored the Indians 5-1 in the opening minute of the third quarter.  From there it was back and forth scoring, but two unanswered three-pointers at the end of the third quarter put the Indians up, 46-35. 

“The boys were able to bounce back in the third quarter by getting the ball inside to Sam Cataldo,” said Albertson.

 The bench took over in the fourth quarter, and Forest City went on for the final 67-53 victory.

Cataldo had a fantastic game for the Cardinals, collecting a double-double, with 23 points and 10 rebounds.  He also had two blocked-shots.

The rest of the team showed balanced scoring, with Payton James hitting two three-point shots for six points.  Holden Hutcheson added five points, while Jack Bertilson, Johnathan O’Connor and Brandon Ross collected four points apiece.

James, O’Connor and Logan Ryerson all grabbed three rebounds.

GHV 78, B-K 36

The Cardinals picked up a much needed win on Friday, Dec. 12.  After facing two tough teams in a row, GHV picked up a big, 78-36, win over Belmond-Klemme.

Sam Cataldo got things going in the first quarter by hitting some shots in the paint.  The effort was also aided by Harley Forry and Ben Baumgard, who both hit threes to take an early 18-10 first quarter lead.

Payton James had the hot hand in the second quarter, connecting on three, three-point shots, helping the Cardinals take a big 45-19 lead into the break.

GHV continued their powerful game in the second half, outscoring the Broncos, 24-9, in the third quarter on their way to the 78-36 victory.

The team was led by three players who hit double figures. James, who was 4/5 from the three-point line, scored 17 points.  Cataldo had 12 points and Harley Forry had 10 points.  Other team leaders included Alex Stromer with eight points and Baumgard and Holden Hutcheson both had seven points.   

James also led the team under the boards with six rebounds.  Cataldo grabbed five, while Brandon Ross and Jack Bertilson had four rebounds apiece.

Baumgard and Turner Albertson led the team in assists with five and four respectively.  Forry and Ross had three steals apiece.  Cataldo had six blocked shots to lead the team.

“Harley Forry played well on both ends of the floor.  We also got good play from Ben Baumgard and Turner Albertson who attacked the basket, hit some shots and found open teammates,” said Albertson.

GHV 67, North Union 46

An explosive third quarter helped the GHV boys pick up a non-conference win over North Union on Monday, Dec. 15.

The Cardinals started slow, allowing North Union to take an early 11-6 lead.  Toward the end of the first quarter, Payton James connected on a three and Alex Stromer hit a shot to put GHV up by four, 15-11, to end the first quarter.

The Warriors opened the second quarter by connecting on some nice shots to regain the lead, 16-15.  Holden Hutcheson connected on a couple of baskets and James connected on another three-point shot to recapture the lead, 24-18.  From there it was more back and forth scoring and GHV could only manage a one-point lead by halftime, 28-27.

The game was determined in the third quarter, when Sam Cataldo exploded for 13 points, while the Cardinal defense held North Union to just six points.  GHV outscored the Warriors 23-6 in the third quarter to take a 51-33 lead.

GHV opened the fourth quarter by going on a seven point run to stretch the lead to 58-33 on their way to the final 67-46 victory.

Scoring leaders included Cataldo with 21 points and James added 13, nine of which came from three-point shots.  Hutcheson added eight points and Jack Bertilson chipped in five.

Cataldo and Logan Ryerson were leaders under the basket, hauling in seven rebounds apiece.  James and Hutcheson had four boards each.

Turner Albertson led the team in assists with eight, while Harley Forry dished out five.  Albertson also led the team in steals with four.  Ryerson grabbed three steals. Cataldo recorded four blocked shots and Hutcheson had one.

The boys face Central Springs on Friday, Dec. 19.  Game time is 7:30 p.m.