The Paton-Churdan Rockets swept the Iowa Christian Academy Blazers in Churdan Monday, giving the P-C girls team its first win of the season.
The Rockets led the entire way in the girls game, leading 24-6 after one quarter, 35-16 at intermission, and 53-23 after three. Final score was 61-35. The Rockets’ score was more than twice their season average of points per game.
The win was fueled by sophomore Jenna Beyers and junior Grace Geisler. Beyers scored 35 points, still more than the team’s season average of 28.6 points, and Geisler scored 21 points, including five 3-point baskets. Briana Jewett and Autumn Gannon scored two points each and Ty Smith scored one.
The team was much improved on the boards, with 20 offensive rebounds and 27 defensive rebounds. Beyers led in rebounds with 17. The girls committed 15 turnovers and managed to steal the ball from the Blazers 13 times. The increased number of shots at the basket was a factor in the win, as the team’s shooting percentage was only a little above average. Against the Blazers the Rockets shot at 31 percent, while their season average is 28.2 percent. Free throw shooting was below the team average of 52.2 percent, at 38 percent for the night. The Rockets were at the line 21 times and made eight shots.
Coach Tom Kennedy’s team is now 1-9 on the season.
The P-C boys also had a lopsided victory with a final score of 65-37. The Rockets led 18-16 after one quarter. The Blazers did not score in the second quarter and the score was 46-16 at halftime. The Rockets built the lead to 57-30 after three.
Rocket coach Chris Stimson got all 10 players in the game and seven scored. Joe Towers and Jake Berns led the team in scoring with 20 and 19 points respectively. Towers made two 3-point baskets while Berns was five of seven at the free throw line.
Charlie Minnehan scored nine point with one long bucket, Tyler Miller scored eight points, Chase Juergensen scored five, and Clayton Smith and Trevor Bundt scored three each. Smith’s points were on a 3-point shot.
The Rockets are off this Friday. Their next game is in Anita Tuesday, Jan. 17.
