Ugly fourth quarter costs Cardinals a win

  An ugly fourth quarter led to the demise of the Garner-Hayfield/Ventura boys when they faced Osage (1-2, 4-2) on Tuesday, Dec. 19.

The first quarter saw both teams trading baskets and playing evenly, as the quarter ended in a 13-13 draw.  Osage began to pull a head in the second quarter and took a 32-28 lead into halftime.

The Cardinals came out primed after the half, made some solid adjustments and outscored the Green Devils 20-11 in the third to take the lead 48-43.  The wheels fell off in the fourth quarter, as Osage racked up 22 points to GHV’s 11 for the final 65-58 victory.

“I was hoping we could have a game where we start off fast, but that didn’t happen,” said Coach Joe Albertson.  “We struggled adjusting to how the game was called early, but the guys made the adjustment toward the end of the first quarter and rallied.”

Braden Meints had an outstanding game for the Cardinals, picking up 20 points.  He was also a perfect 3/3 from the three point arc.  He also collected six rebounds, two assists and one steal.

Rounding out the scoring was Joel Toppin with 12 points, Holden Hutcheson and Jake Wolf had six points apiece and Spencer Shaw pumped in five.  Logan Ryerson had two points and Harley Forry had one point.

Luke Wolf led the team in rebounds with seven.  Jake Wolf grabbed six boards and Ryerson had three.

Toppin and Hutcheson had three assists apiece and Wolf and Shaw each had two assists.

“Some missed opportunities in the fourth quarter kept us from a win.  I think we can regroup and become a better team,” said Albertson.

The Cardinals’ record is now 1-2, 3-3.  

Due to early holiday deadlines, the results of the GHV vs. Central Springs game, along with pictures, will be printed in next week’s edition of the Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter.