Cyclone BKB Drop DH vs LC to End Conference Rivalry

Cyclone BKB Drop DH vs LC to End Conference Rivalry -

(2-6-26) – It’s conference rivalry no more… and it was how the Cyclones wanted it to end and they got swept in doubleheader in Council Bluffs on Friday.

Harlan Community was on the road against Lewis Central and in girls’ action, despite a great effort, the Cyclones couldn’t overcome solid shooting by the Titan bench and fell by a final of 52-41.

Harlan Community took the lead in the 2nd qtr, before Lewis Central went on an 8-0 run to end the first half, helped by a pair of 3-ptrs by Madison Johnette. The Cyclones wouldn’t get any closer than 3 pts the rest of the game.

Cyclone Coach Zach Klaassen thought his team fought hard.

“The effort was there,” said Klaassen after the game. “Just attention to detail and the little things. It just seemed like there was way too many possessions where we had one or two people kind of doing their own thing.”

Rebounding continues to be an issue for Harlan Community. While they had 41 total rebounds for the contest, the Cyclones allowed several offensive rebounds that led to 2nd chance points for the Titans.

Junior Aubree Wegner gave Harlan Community a spark off the bench, scoring 9 pts, and contributing 3 assists during the contest. Klaassen likes the minutes put in by Wegner.

“(Aubree) got to the rim several times that first half, and she's a great lockdown defender. Brings a lot of energy out on the court, which we could use a lot of energy and some speed, which we don't have a lot of. She plays her part well, comes off the bench and does her job, gives us a little spark and played a really good game tonight.”

Brinley Van Baale led the Cyclones with 12 pts, all in the 2nd half. Johnette led the Titans with 15 pts off the bench.

In boys’ basketball, it was the final regular season contest between Harlan Community and Lewis Central as conference opponents. The Cyclones would pull to within 2 pts early in the 4th qtr, but couldn’t quite catch up to the Titans, dropping a 54-47 decision on Friday.

Lewis Central will begin play as a member of the Missouri River Conference this fall.

It was a tight contest after the opening quarter, before the Titans took an 8-pt lead into halftime, as Charles Schaben was hitting from all over the floor, scoring 13 pts in the half, while the Cyclones Dallas McDowell kept them close with 12 1st-half points of his own.

A 7-0 run 3rd allowed Lewis Central to expand to a 10-pt lead after three quarters of play. Then Harlan Community went on an 8-0 run to start the 4th qtr and make the score 46-44 in favor of the Titans. But, the Cyclones couldn’t get over the hump as Lewis Central finished the game on an 8-3 run.

Harlan Community Coach Dean Mosher says you can’t question his team’s heart as they battled one of their biggest rivals.

“Never questioned that. Got a little down in the deficit there, and we made a really good comeback. Just a little short.”

Colton Schneider helped lead the 2nd half charge, scoring all of his 9 pts during that span as well as solid defense. Mosher loves the confidence Schneider is showing on the court.

“With the ball, without the ball, defensively, we put him on some of their better shooters, but just all around on both sides, it's his confidence. He knows what to do, he communicates well, and it's just somebody we can depend on.”

McDowell was the Cyclone’s top scorer with 17 pts. Carter Thielen had 19 pts for the Titans while Schaben added 17 pts.

Harlan Community will next face Atlantic at the Palace on Tuesday for Pink Out Night. It will be the final regular season game for the Cyclone girls’ before they begin regional play.

View past scores by visiting the Iowa High School Athletic Association's website, Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union website,
or Iowa Quik Stats