Rams Riding Three-game Winning Streak After 56-54 Win Over Lewis Central
Glenwood’s Kayden Anderson brings the ball upcourt against the defensive pressure of Lewis Central’s Nash Paulson.
The Rams’ Risto Lappala puts up a shot around Lewis Central’s Colby Souther.
Zec Kelsey looks to pass the ball inside the paint.
The Glenwood boys basketball team entered the holiday break on a high note as the Rams pulled out a 56-54 overtime victory over visiting Council Bluffs Lewis Central last Tuesday, Dec. 20.
“The kids showed a lot of heart, they showed a lot of passion – they just never quit,” Glenwood Coach Curt Schulte said. “They just kept battling and battling and Caden hit that big shot to send it into overtime. The momentum was then on our side in overtime and we got a good win against a very good team.”
The “big shot” Schulte referenced was a pump-fake, three-point basket Caden Johnson launched to knot the score at 48 before the buzzer sounded to end regulation.
Johnson also put up the big shot in overtime – a bucket that ended up being the game-winner.
The game was tightly-contested from the onset with Lewis Central holding a slim advantage for the most of the first half. Lewis Central took a 25-24 lead into the locker room at halftime and was up 39-34 entering the fourth quarter. The Titans extended their lead to seven points midway through the fourth quarter but the Rams battled back to tie the game at 45 in the final minutes.
Schulte said the Rams knew Lewis Central would present a difficult challenge and the victory was a boost to his team heading into the holiday break.
“We knew coming in that Lewis Central had great size and a lot of athleticism,” he said. “We knew we would have to play one of our better games to come out on top.
“It’s great. We’re on a three-game winning streak and we’ve got a little momentum now going into the break.”
The Rams had three players score in double figures – Risto Lappala, Kayden Anderson and Logan Eckheart - with 16, 10 and 10 points respectively. Johnson finished the night with eight points and eight assists.
Glenwood shot 44 percent from the field, connecting on 29 percent of its shots from beyond the three-point line.
On the boards, Eckheart, Zac Kelsey and Gavin Schau had 8, 6 and 5 rebounds respectively.
The victory improved Glenwood’s record to 6-2 on the season. The Rams return to action Jan. 3 when they host Atlantic.
“We’re coming along. I think we’re gelling and getting better game after game,” Schulte said. “ We’re just hoping that we continue to get better in January.”
Lewis Central was paced by Nash Paulson and Colby Souther with 14 and 13 points. The Titans are 4-4 on the season.