Holy Trinity pulls away from Hawks in 2nd half

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BY JOHN BOHNENKAMP
PCC SPORTS

FORT MADISON - The clipboard didn’t make it through unscathed.
It’s been a learning season for Holy Trinity’s young boys basketball team, and coach John Hellige understands that.
But he had to make a point during halftime of Friday’s home game against Central Lee.
So the clipboard had to take a bit of abuse.
“I’ve been pretty gentle on the kids this year,” Hellige said, smiling. “Yeah, the clipboard may have a scratch or dent in it.”
It certainly allowed the Crusaders to retain their focus, which paid off in a 54-38 win.
Holy Trinity (4-14 overall, 4-10 SEI Superconference South Division) only led 20-17 at halftime. But they outscored Central Lee (0-16, 0-13) 21-7 in the third quarter, including a 13-1 run to open the quarter.
“Our guys, we really focused in the second half,” Hellige said. “It wasn’t beautiful basketball, but what I really liked was our patient and teamwork against their 1-2-2 zone.”
Conner Gehling, Holy Trinity’s leading scorer this season, only had four first-half points But Gehling was able to find his teammates against the Hawks’ defense in the second half.
Gehling would finish with 14 points.
“But he figured out how to get the ball on the other side of the defense,” Hellige said.
“Credit to their defense,” Central Lee coach Kritter Hayes said. “They went to a zone, and we didn’t adjust right to it. Just got stagnant, and we got lazy with our passing.
“The third quarter has killed us all season long. We didn’t adjust right, and we made bad decisions with the ball. When we get in the half-court, and we’re solid with the ball, we’re a good team.”
Holy Trinity outscored Central Lee 34-21 in the second half.
“I think it’s a step forward,” Hellige said. “I think every day these guys are growing a little bit. And it’s another step forward.
“It’s good momentum for us.”
Alex Sandoval led Central Lee with 13 points. Braden Wyrick had 11. 
“We’re doing things defensively now where we’re progressing,” Hayes said. “We just can’t get over the hump with our scoring because of the turnovers.”

basketball, boys, central lee, crusaders, fort madison, hawks, Holy Trinity Catholic, iowa, lee county, Pen City Current, sports, varsity

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