AGWSR boys split non-conference games

    CEDAR FALLS – The AGWSR boys’ basketball team returned to the court for two non-conference games this past week, prevailing over Valley Lutheran of Cedar Falls 68-24, after losing a close contest with neighboring Aplington-Parkersburg, 65-56 on Thursday.
    AGWSR (5-3 overall, 2-2 NICL-West) is scheduled to play BCLUW at home on Tuesday, Jan. 7, and South Hardin at Eldora on Friday, Jan. 10. 
AGWSR 68, Valley Lutheran 24
AGWSR took control early and maintained it throughout in their 68-24 domination of Valley Lutheran on Saturday. The Cougars outscored the Crusaders 37-14 in the first half and 31-10 in the second half to take the 44 point win.  
“We started the game with good intensity on both offensive and defensive ends and that allowed us to control the game right from the start,” AGWSR head coach Russ Banzhaf said. “It was great to get everyone involved in the game and get all players some meaningful playing time. We had 11 players score and all 14 who dressed got an opportunity to contribute.”
Derek Schipper scored 13, Dylan Heetland 12, and Austin Heitland 9 for the Cougars. Nathan Karjens led in rebounding with five and Sully Hofmeister led in assists with five. Evan Jannsen recorded three rebounds, three assists, and three steals, and Owen Abkes also came away with three assists and three steals.
    Isaiah Armbrecht led Valley Lutheran with six points, eight rebounds and two assists. Eber While scored five points and pulled down nine rebounds.
AGWSR         17    20    14    17    --     68
Valley Lutheran         4    10     2     8    --    24
    AGWSR (68) – Evan Janssen 4 0-0 8; Owen Abkes 3 0-0 7; Sully Hofmeister 0 0-0 0; Derek Schipper 6 0-0 13; Austin Heitland 4 101 9; Dylan Heetland 4 2-2 12; Jacob Starr 0-0 0 0; Nathan Karsjens 4 0-0 8; Jared Haupt 1 0-2 2; Trevor Bakker 1 0-0 2; Jer Clemons 0 0-0 0; Jake Willems 1 0-0 3; Reece Reiken 1 0-0 2; Austin Ubben 0 0-0 0.
    3-point goals: AGWSR 3 (Willems 1, Abkes 1, Schipper 1), Valley Lutheran 1. Rebounds: AGWSR 28  (Karsjens 5, Janssen 3, Heitland 3), Valley Lutheran 27. Assists: AGWSR 22 (Hofmeister 5, four tied 3), Valley Lutheran 3. Steals: AGWSR 10 (Abkes 3, Janssen 3, Schipper 3), Valley Lutheran 4. Blocks: AGWSR 4 (Schipper 2, Starr 1, Heitland 1), Valley Lutheran 1. Fouled out: None. Total fouls: AGWSR 19, Valley Lutheran 9.
Aplington-Parkersburg 65, AGWSR 56
In a closely played game with Aplington-Parkersburg Thursday, AGWSR held a one point lead after the first quarter, and the game was tied 33-33 at the half and 47 all by the end of the third. The Falcons hit some key shots toward the end of the game to outscore the Cougars 18-9 in the final period and take the 65-56 win.
“I thought we played well for 27 to 28 minutes,” AGWSR head coach Russ Banzhaf said. “Coming off the Christmas break, you never know how things will go after 2-3 weeks without playing a game.”
“We had a lead 51-50 with five minutes to go in the game, but A-P was able to hit a couple of three's and jumped ahead,” he said. “We didn’t answer their run and had to play from behind the last few minutes of the game.”
Owen Abkes paced the Cougars with 15 points, including three 3-pointers. Derek Schipper scored 12, Austin Heitland 10, and Evan Janssen nine. Heitland led the boards with 11 rebounds, provided three assists, and came away with four steals. Sully Hofmeister led in assists with six and had three steals.  
Nick Waller and Ross Cooper led the Falcons with sixteen points each. Alex Johnson and Nick Ellis scored eight each.
AGWSR         15    18    14     9    --     56
Aplington-Parkersburg    14    19    14    18    --    65
    AGWSR (56) – Evan Janssen 4 0-0 9; Owen Abkes 5 2-2 15; Sully Hofmeister 3 1-3 7; Derek Schipper 4 4-4 12; Austin Heitland 4 0-2 10; Jacob Starr 0 0-2 0; Nathan Karsjens 1 0-0 3; Jared Haupt 0 0-0 0; Trevor Bakker 0 0-0 0.
    3-point goals: AGWSR 6 (Abkes 3, Karsjens 1, Hofmeister 1, Janssen 1), Aplington-Parkersburg 8. Rebounds: AGWSR 22 (Heitland 11, Abkes 3), Aplington-Parkersburg 23. Assists: AGWSR 17 (Hofmeister 6, Janssen 4), Aplington-Parkersburg 16. Steals: AGWSR 13 (Heitland 4, Hofmeister 3), Aplington-Parkersburg 7. Blocks: AGWSR 1 (Janssen 1), Aplington-Parkersburg 1. Fouled out: Janssen. Total fouls: AGWSR 13, Aplington-Parkersburg 10.