Self-improvement session

CRESTON – The Southwestern men’s basketball team had a perfect opportunity Tuesday night to fine-tune their performance for upcoming conference play in a 77-60 victory over Peru State College JV.

First-year Spartan coach Reggie Kindle Jr. came to Southwestern from Peru State, where he was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator since April 2019. After Tuesday’s win, he said facing the Bobcats in non-conference play provided a chance to work on specific areas of improvement.

“This was a good game for us to work on some things we’re trying to do,” Kindle said. “We are back to sharing the basketball and moving it with the extra passes. Team basketball leads to success for us.”

The unselfish approach led to five players scoring in double figures in the 17-point victory. Carson Busch, 5-10 freshman from Lincoln, Nebraska, led the Spartans with 16 points.

AJ Lacabe added 12 points, Jhonta Gonnigan and Duke Carey each tallied 11 and Khayden Hooks finished with 10. Freshman Brance Baker of Creston was in the starting lineup and scored six points.

Southwestern (4-8) moved to a 14-point lead at halftime (43-29), but Peru State quickly shaved it to six at 49-43 when Kindle called a timeout five minutes into the second half. Eight minutes later the margin was back to 13 points, and it grew to a 20-point bulge at 71-51 with 3:36 remaining.

“I think when you’re playing against a JV team it’s hard to keep your kids motivated to stay intense and locked in,” Kindle said. “It’s my job to hold these guys accountable and play hard. No matter who you’re playing, teams are always going to keep playing and not give up. It was basically an energy thing for us.”

Teon Thomas, a 6-3 sophomore, was the tallest Spartan starter Tuesday night. Defensive quickness and sharp passing in transition made up for the height disadvantage against the Bobcats on the boards.

“We will give up size no matter who we play,” Kindle said. “We can make up for it in toughness, and battling and doing some other things.”

The Spartans, 0-2 in ICCAC play, host No. 11-ranked Kirkwood at 3 p.m. Saturday in returning to conference play.

“We have to grow from this win and try to carry it into the conference,” Kindle said. “Kirkwood is a good team. We’ll get prepared for them and be ready to go Saturday.”

SWCC 77, Peru State JV 60

SOUTHWESTERN (FG FT PTS) — Totals — 33 5-6 77. Carson Busch 7 1-2 16, AJ Lacabe 5 2-2 12, Jhonta Gonnigan 4 2-2 11, Duke Carey 4 0-0 11, Khayden Hooks 5 0-0 10, Kobe Jackson 4 0-0 8, Brance Baker 3 0-0 6, Isiah Peasley 1 0-0 3. 3-point goals (6) — Carey 3, Peasley 1, Gonnigan 1, Busch 1. Team fouls — 15. Fouled out — None.

PERU STATE JV (FG FT PTS) — Totals — 19 13-18 60. CJ Brown 4 2-4 14, TaVion Anderson 5 0-0 11, Carlos Austin 3 1-3 9, Tyler Riley 1 6-6 8, Christian Tidiane 4 0-0 8, Armahn Downing 1 2-3 5, Easton Hall 1 0-0 3, Hayden Stromsodt 0 2-2 2. 3-point goals (9) — Brown 4, Austin 2, Downing 1, Anderson 1, Hall 1. Team fouls — 12 Fouled out — None.