Crusaders send statement with win over Falcons

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You know, we lost to a tough Central Lee team, taking nothing away from them. But all I've heard since that game is ‘What's going on with your team? What's happening?’ I think we showed tonight that we're still a very competitive, good team down here in southeast Iowa.”

John Hellige, HTC boys head coach

No, there was nothing wrong with Holy Trinity’s boys basketball team and yes, coach John Hellige and the players heard the questions.
Friday’s 66-60 win over No. 6 (Class 2A) West Burlington at Shottenkirk Gym was definitely an answer.
The Crusaders (10-2 overall, 8-2 Southeast Iowa Super Conference South Division) knocked down the Falcons (12-1, 10-1) with a stunning second half, snapping a 14-game losing streak in the series dating back to 2017.
Holy Trinity lost 55-52 at Central Lee one week ago, a loss that seemed to be concerning to some, just not to the Crusaders.
“I think some people were starting to doubt this team just a little bit,” Hellige said. “You know, we lost to a tough Central Lee team, taking nothing away from them. But all I've heard since that game is ‘What's going on with your team? What's happening?’ I think we showed tonight that we're still a very competitive, good team down here in southeast Iowa.”
“Everybody was kind of starting to doubt us,” senior center Koby Jones said. “They're kind of like, “What's with HTC? Are they really who they say they are?’ And that kind of got to me. I wanted to send a message, and I really wanted to win.”
The Crusaders beat Winfield-Mount Union last Saturday, then won at Danville on Tuesday, so they had regained some momentum.
Taking down the Falcons, a state tournament qualifier last season, was a statement.
“It’s such a high to beat these guys,” Jones said. “I mean, West Burlington, they're a great team, so for us to come out there and beat them, I think it really sent a message to our conference. You know, we kind of showed everybody tonight that we're one good team and that we can hang with the best, for sure.”
Holy Trinity trailed 25-19 at halftime, then scored 21 third-quarter points to take a 38-34 lead. The Crusaders led by as much as 10 points in the fourth quarter, then fought off a late charge from the Falcons.
Mason Watkins, who led West Burlington with 25 points, hit three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, but Holy Trinity always answered. Then the Crusaders finished the game at the free-throw line, when Luke Hellige hit six consecutive free throws in the final minute.
“It's all about weathering the storm,” John Hellige said. “We know West Burlington is an incredible team. They're probably going to another state tournament. So we knew they're going to make runs. You’ve got Mason Watkins, a McDonald's, All-American nominee, they're going to make baskets. And we've got to weather that storm and not pout, not lose our composure, and just make sure that we finish the possession, finished the quarter, finish the game.”
Luke Hellige led the Crusaders with 21 points, while Jones had 17 and Layne Rung had 16.
“We know that teams are going to focus on Luke,” John Hellige said. “It was so awesome to see our role guys step up, make baskets, make plays, make good passes. Koby was great, Layne was great, Adam Sobczak played great defense all night. That’s how you win games.”