Defense on Display as Cyclone BKB Sweeps Denison-Schleswig

HC's Kensley Bruck (1-27-26)

HC GBB Seniors Lauren Schmitz, Kate Koester, & Addi Wicks (1-27-26)

HC BBB Seniors Jake Wageman, Dallas McDowell, & Gabe Arkfeld (1-27-26)

Defense on Display as Cyclone BKB Sweeps Denison-Schleswig –

(1-27-26) – Defense won games at the Palace Tuesday as the Cyclones got out their brooms on Senior Night for the visiting Monarchs.

Great teamwork and solid defense helped Harlan Community hold on to earn a 48-32 win over Denison-Schleswig.

After giving up the first 5 pts of the game to Blaine Grady, Harlan Community went on 14-0 run to build a lead they wouldn’t relinquish, building up a 21-11 lead. Dallas McDowell, who led the Cyclones with 15 pts, said he wanted to drive to the basket from what the defense was giving them.

“Just attacking the hoop and just moving around, constant movement, but also like setting screens and setting up other teammates, it also just helps yourself get open and get some buckets.”

Scoring was scarce in the 2nd & 3rd qtrs as the two teams combined for just 17 total points. Being able to win, despite a lack of scoring, shows the resilience this Cyclone team has had all season.

Kobe Klaassen had a double-double for Harlan Community with 11 pts and 12 rebounds. Coach Dean Mosher loves the versatility Klaassen gives to his team on both ends of the floor.

“We trust him battling down low with the bigs, if opportunity arises. So, he did a great job getting boards and it's nice that he can get it out and run with it, too, at the same time.”

The Monarchs got 11 pts and 7 boards from Blaine Grady. The win ended the Cyclones 3-game losing streak.

In the girls’ game, Kensley Bruck had 14 pts as the Cyclones rolled to a 62-25 win over the Monarchs. The girls’ also started their game on a 14-0 run as they allowed just five 1st half points to the Monarchs.

The Harlan Community defense force 13 turnovers in the 1st half and outrebounded Denison-Schleswig 45 to 33, greatly reducing the Monarchs opportunities on offense.

Bruck understands the importance of solid defense to lead to their transition offense.

“Yeah, it's really important. Just transition, just rim-running back and forth, but the guards up top really help just to help stop the drives from the middle so I can focus on the people in the paint.”

Coach Zach Klaassen felt that’s how his team is supposed to play ball.

“We're getting downhill and kicking it out again. That's the way we have to play basketball. So, we play the way we wanted to and the way we're coached to, I guess, or they're coached to.”

Brinley Van Baale had a double-double with 15 pts and 10 assists for Harlan Community, who’ve now won two of their last three games. Denison-Schleswig got 8 pts from Mariah Carlson.

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