CRUSADER BASKETBALl

Mepo's 3s hurt Crusaders in SEISC loss

Bulldogs hit 10 3-balls to upset Holy Trinity

Posted Saturday, February 1, 2025 7:24 am

FLAT

We knew the scouting report, we knew the game plan. For whatever reason, this team has come out flat more games than not this year, and it’s hard sometimes to claw back from behind when you dig a hole like that.”

John Hellige, HTC boys head coach

John Bohnenkamp for Pen City Current Sports

FORT MADISON - There was trouble right away for Holy Trinity’s boys basketball team in Friday’s game against Mediapolis.
The Bulldogs hit four 3-pointers in the first three minutes, three from Will Luttenegger, and it was a sign of what was to come.
Mediapolis’ 72-64 win over the Crusaders in a Homecoming game at Shottenkirk Gym was built on the Bulldogs’ ability to hit threes.
“They really came out strong,” Holy Trinity coach John Hellige said. “We knew they were great shooters, but we didn’t really cover up their threes. We didn’t communicate very well.”
Holy Trinity (14-4 overall, 10-4 Southeast Iowa Super Conference) did get a second-quarter lead before Mediapolis (11-8, 8-6) tied the game at halftime. The Bulldogs then opened the third quarter on a 9-2 run and maintained the lead the rest of the way.
Mediapolis had 10 3-pointers, hitting shots that always seemed to be answers to whatever run the Crusaders would put together.

“It’s disappointing,” Hellige said. “We knew the scouting report, we knew the game plan. For whatever reason, this team has come out flat more games than not this year, and it’s hard sometimes to claw back from behind when you dig a hole like that.”
Mediapolis was up 65-53 with 2:37 left before the Crusaders tried to rally. An Adam Sobczak 3-pointer got Holy Trinity within 65-59, but the Bulldogs finished the win by hitting seven free throws in the last 1:13.
Luke Hellige led Holy Trinity with 30 points. Sobczak had 13 points and Koby Jones added 10.
Luttenegger led Mediapolis with 20 points. Lance Ludens had 14 points. William Worrall had 12.
The calendar flips to February, which means the postseason is approaching. Holy Trinity plays at Fairfield on Tuesday, plays host to a Super Conference Shootout game on Friday, then closes the regular season on February 10 at Clark County (Mo.).
“Right now, it's just focusing on these next three games, try to figure out where we're at defensively, and try to get some momentum going into districts,” Hellige said.