Sports

Sheldon split a conference basketball doubleheader with the Mustangs in George Friday night. The girls game went to G-LR 50-37 with Sheldon taking the boys contest 65-53.

In the girls game the Mustangs led 9-6 at the end of the first quarter and extended that to a 24-9 first half lead that they were able to ride the rest of the night. Sheldon cut the advantage to 38-25 at the end of the third quarter and got it to single didgets in the fourth quarter but could get no closer as they fell 50-37.

George Little Rock had three players in double figures led by Mariah Terhark with 13 points. Mia Graham and Danielle Eben hit for 12 points each. Emily Johnson was the games top scorer with 18 points to lead Sheldon with 15 of them coming in the second half.

With the win G-LR improves to 10-2 on the year and 9-2 in the conference. Sheldon falls to 5-8 for the year and 4-7 in the Siouxland.

In the boys game Sheldon led 18-10 at the end of the first quarter and were up 38-21 at halftime. A 10-0 run to start the second half got the Mustangs right back in it and a half court three by David Aeikens at the buzzer cut the Orab lead to 46-36 at the end of the third quarter. Aeiken would finish with a game high 21 points on the night. That included five 3-point buckets that all came in the second half. The Orabs recovered in the fourth quarter to regain control and take the win 65-53.

Aeiken was joined in double figures by Jayden Mauldin with 10 points. Sheldon had three players in double figures getting a team high 19 points form Dylan Ennema and 10 each from Turner DeJong and Collin Wolthizen.

With the win Sheldon moves to 10-2 on the season and 8-2 in the conference. George Little Rock is 0-10 on the year.

Sheldon returns to the Orina Tuesday night for a double header with Okoboji while G-LR will be on the road at Rock Valley Tuesday night.

Orange City, Iowa —Jaycee Vander Berg (Sioux Center, Iowa) has signed a letter of intent to continue her track and field and cross country careers at Northwestern College next year.

Vander Berg is a 5’9” distance runner who has earned seven letters running for MOC-Floyd Valley heading into her senior track season. Vander Berg qualified for the state cross country meet all four years, helping the Dutch to a runner-up finish both in 2012 and 2013 and a fifth place finish as a senior. She earned all-conference honors four consecutive years. In track, Vander Berg qualified for the state meet in two events both her sophomore and junior years. She qualified the 3000m and as a member of the 4×800 relay in 2013 and in the 1500m and 3000m last spring as a junior. Vander Berg earned all-conference honors in the 1500m and is an academic all-state selection. A member of the National Honor Society, Vander Berg plans to major in business or youth ministry at Northwestern. She is the daughter of Jeff and Vonda.

“We are very excited to have Jaycee running for both of our track and cross country teams beginning next fall,” commented head coach Scott Bahrke. “Jaycee will make an immediate impact on both teams as Northwestern looks to finish in the top half of the GPAC. Her experience as a four-time state qualifier and place winner will help her transition to our very competitive conference.”

Sioux Center, Iowa – Dominic Byl, a senior at Unity Christian High School has announced his intention to attend Dordt College and join the Defender football and baseball programs.

Byl, listed 6-0, 215 pounds, played predominately offensive line and linebacker this year in football and catcher in baseball.  He earned all-district honors in football and was in on 46 solo tackles and 42 assisted stops.  He had 12 tackles for loss and had three sacks with one interception.

Byl had a .277 batting average for Unity in 2014 and knocked in 16 runs with 23 hits and five doubles and caught nine base runners stealing.  Byl earned honorable mention all-district honors in 2014

Dominic is the son of Henry and Karla Byl of Sioux Center, Iowa.  He plans to study Business at Dordt College.