No. 10 Warhawks Steal Game from Baxter

NEW SHARON – Steals by Jack Kelderman and Asher DeBoef in the final 50 seconds allowed No. 10 North Mahaska to hold off the visiting Baxter Bolts, 59-57 Monday night. North Mahaska seemed to be in control at halftime holding a 37-21 advantage. Baxter outscored the Warhawks 21-5 in the third quarter to tie the game at 42-42 entering the final period.

North Mahaska was leading 54-51 when Kelderman picked off a pass and Lucas Nunnikhoven drilled a 3-pointer. On the next Baxter possession DeBoef stripped the ball and went the distance to put the Warhawks up 59-51 with 30 seconds to play.

Cainan Travis hit a 3-pointer and Maddox Tuhn hit one of two free throws to pull the Bolts to 59-55. Perrin Sulzle added a bucket with 6.6 seconds left to make the final total.

“They are a tough team,” said NM coach Kevin Kelderman. “That third quarter was big. It is usually us that does that but the kids stayed at it and battled down the stretch.

“Those steals by Jack and Asher were huge. When we are in that situation, we must be smart.”

North Mahaska won the battle of the boards 40-27 with 17 of those coming on the offensive end allowing for second chance opportunities. Baxter had just four offensive boards.

Gabe Hora led NM in scoring with 18 points. DeBoef finished with a double-double of 13 points, 11 rebounds, four steals and two assists. Adrian Smith chipped in eight points with nine rebounds. Nunnikhoven had seven points and Trenton DeBruin added six with eight rebounds.

Baxter had three players in double figures scoring led by Eli Dee with 19 points and seven rebounds. Sulzle had 16 points and Travis finished with 14 points and nine rebounds.

North Mahaska, (11-1, 8-0) who entered the Class 1A rankings this week at No. 10, will have a challenge tonight when they travel to Keota, who has just one conference loss.