Lenox boys smother depleted Diagonal

DIAGONAL – Lenox boys basketball enter the holiday break on a high note, rolling to a 68-20 victory over Diagonal Monday night.

The Tigers (4-3) got the first points of the game and took off on a 15-0 run, with the streak getting snapped by the Maroons’ (1-5) Garrett Stephens in the final seconds of the frame.

The second quarter was much of the same for both sides as Lenox took off for another run, jumping ahead for a second 15-0 run before getting stopped on a 3-point score by Miah Ikenberry.

Down 30-5, the Maroons got another triple before the half from James Shiflett to enter the break down 34-8.

A quick and shifty Lenox team dominated the floor by speed and scored many of their early points by transition offense. Lenox head coach Curtis Fisher said the need for Monday was to get out and exploit a depleted Maroons team.

“We like to play fast and quick, and we knew, unfortunately for them, they didn’t have as many guys as we did, so get out and run and see what we can do,” said Fisher. “Continue to work on our transition game and use (Monday) as one of those games where we can get out and continue to make ourselves better.”

Diagonal entered Monday playing without five starters due to COVID-19 quarantine. The lack of regulars showed with a handful of freshmen and sophomores getting ample time on the floor.

“We were a little short-handed, but the guys we had worked hard in practice all week,” said Diagonal head coach Matt Warren. “I was excited for them to get the opportunity to play a lot in a varsity game and I’m very proud of what they did. Playing smart, playing hard, ... we made a lot of mistakes, but we had a lot of inexperience out there, and when you’re going against a good team like Lenox, they definitely take advantage.”

In the fourth quarter shots started to fall for Diagonal, with a three coming from Skyler Stamps and a mid-range jumper from Bradyn Cook, but the scores came well after a chance of a comeback with a running mercy clock on.

The time on the floor, even in “garbage time,” still can be seen as helpful in the development in the five underclassmen (four freshmen, one sophomore) that saw floor time. Warren thinks once the regular starting group comes back, it’ll give the team more confidence.

“I think it’ll be huge. I think it’ll help us build depth into the future,” said Warren. “When we get our normal rotation back, I think those guys will help build their confidence. ... When they get in their more typical roles it’ll help us a lot.”

The Tigers got scoring from inside, utilizing their big men in Cullen Wood and Isaac Grundman in mismatched situations and in transition.

“We really worked it inside, which is not really how we play,” said Fisher. “But, we do have guys that can execute that and do that. We got to see some of our big guys and forwards actually make more plays than what they’ve got in the first six games.”

Lenox was led in scoring by Wood and Keaton England, each scoring 12 points. Rex Hoffman scored nine points and Grundman scored eight.

UP NEXT – Both sides will be off until January. Diagonal boys play Jan. 8 against Ankeny Christian (on the road), and Lenox will play Jan. 4 against Griswold (at home) at 6 p.m.

Lenox 68, Diagonal 20

LENOX (68) — (FG FT PTS) Totals — 32 3-14 68. Cullen Wood 6 0-0 12, Keaton England 5 2-5 12, Rex Hoffman 4 1-5 9, Isaac Grundman 4 0-2 8, Walon Cook 2 0-0 4, Donald Bashor 2 0-0 4, Owen Junker 2 0-0 4, Jace Smith 2 0-2 4, Chase Johnston 2 0-0 4, Carter Reed 1 0-0 3, Andy Martinez 1 0-0 2, Samson Adams 1 0-0 2. 3-point goals — 1. Team fouls — 12. Fouled out — none.

DIAGONAL (20) — (FG FT PTS) Totals — 7 1-7 20. William O’Connor 2 0-1 6, Garrett Stephens 1 1-4 3, Miah Ikenberry 1 0-2 3, Koby Kibble 1 0-0 3, James Shifett 1 0-0 3, Brayden Cook 1 0-0 2. 3-point goals — 10 (Baker 3, Burg 3, Berry 2, Bruce 2). Team fouls — 19. Fouled out — None.