Hull Iowa — Western Christian hosted Cherokee in a Lake Conference basketball doubleheader Friday night. The top ranked Cherokee girls won the opener 52-42 with the boys game going to Western 89-63.
Cherokee ranked #1 in the latest 3A poll led at all the breaks 16-7 at the end of the first quarter. 31-15 at the half. At the end of three the lead was 43-26 with the Braves getting the win 52-42.
Cherokee had two players in double figures getting a game high 14 from Kenna Mongan and 10 from Grace Anderson. Western was led by Claire Bleeker with 13 points. With the win Cherokee is off to an 8-0 start on the year and 3-0 in the conference. Western is 2-5 on the year and 0-3 in the Lakes.
In the boys game the Wolfpack took control early with a 23-7 first quarter lead and were up 43-20 at halftime. At the end of three the lead was 67-46 and with everyone on the roster seeing floor time the final was 89-65 in favor of Western Christian. 11 of the 14 players found a spot in the score book.
Western was led by Ty Van Essen with 18 points, Brayden Van Meeteren was next with 13. Tyson Boer and Dalton Westra scored 10 points each. Cherokee got a game high from Brayden Farver. Will Lugar hit for 13. They were joined in double figures by Levi Pingel with 12 points and Jacob Hodgdon who enjoyed an 11 point night.
With the win Western is 5-1 on the year and 2-1 in the conference. Cherokee falls to 4-3 on the year and 1-2 in the Lakes Conference. Up next for the Wolfpack will be a Monday trip to Sergeant Bluff Luton. On Tuesday Cherokee travels to Spirit Lake.
