October 20, 2024

Spartans season ended by No. 16 Iowa Lakes

SWCC went 1-2 against Iowa Lakes during the 2021-2022 season

By JARED LARSON

Southwestern's AJ Lacabe (4) rises to defend Laker Anthony Holden (5) during the Feb. 5 matchup between the two community colleges. On Saturday, the Lakers won 65-55 and Holden had eight points and Lacabe had four points. (Iowa Lakes Athletics)

MASON CITY – The Southwestern men’s basketball season ended in the Region XI Tournament - Quarterfinals Saturday afternoon when No. 16 Iowa Lakes won 65-55.

With the loss, the Spartans finish their season 13-17 overall and 6-10 in ICCAC play.

“Our guys competed and they played really hard,” Spartan head coach Reggie Kindle said. “I thought we battled and competed the whole game, our lack of size kind of hurt us.”

With the exception of Laker Caleb Johnson, who led all scorers with 20 points, the four players who have the majority of the starts for Iowa Lakes are 6′4″ or taller.

The Spartans finished with 19 team fouls.

“Some fouls didn’t go our way, we had three guys in foul trouble pretty much the whole game, Duke Carey, Devin Tomlinson and Khayden Hooks,” Kindle said.

The Spartans held a narrow 33-32 lead at halftime.

Carson Busch had a team high 14 points and Duke Carey and Teon Thomas each contributed 10 to the Spartan total.

As a team, the Spartans shot 45.7% from the field in the loss.

Sophomores moving on

Duke Carey, Kobe Jackson and Josh Lee will be moving on from Southwestern Community College to likely play four year basketball at a new institution.

“It’s been a joy to coach those dudes,” Kindle said. “We’ve had out ups and downs on the season this year, but we accomplished a lot of things no one thought we would accomplish.”

Duke Carey finished with a team leading 364 points during the 2021-22 season.

“Duke is a phenomenal basketball player that is barely scratching the surface of what he’s capable of,” Kindle said.

Kobe Jackson played in 21 of SWCC’s 30 games this season and shot 34.3% from the field.

“Kobe is a great kid that has a bright future,” Kindle said.

Josh Lee appeared in 13 games for the Spartans.

“Josh is a competitor,” Kindle said. “I’ve been blessed to coach those three dudes, they’re part of us building a foundation and a culture here.”

Baker injured

Creston native Brance Baker, who was seen with a sling on his arm at the Feb. 19 game against DMACC, is expected to get an official answer to the extent of his injury in the near future.

“I think it’s torn, but he’ll get an MRI soon and we’ll go from there,” Kindle said.

Iowa Lakes 65, Southwestern 55

SOUTHWESTERN (55) — (FG FT PTS) Totals — 21 6-11 55. Carson Busch 5 2-3 14, Khayden Hooks 4 0-1 10, Teon Thomas 3 3-5 10, Devin Tomlinson 3 1-2 8, Duke Carey 3 0-0 8, AJ Lacabe 2 0-0 2, Malik Westerfield 1 0-0 2. 3-point goals — 7 (Busch 2, Hooks 2, Carey 1, Thomas 1). Team fouls — 19. Fouled out — Carey.

IOWA LAKES (65) — (FG FT PTS) Totals — 23 10-20 65. Caleb Johnson 7 1-4 20, Ryan Hall 5 2-2 13, Joseph Owens 3 3-3 9, Anthony Holden 2 2-2 8, Jeremiah Burke 4 0-0 8, Ozzie Meiborg 1 0-0 3, Johnathan Oden 1 0-2 2, Xzavier Jones 0 2-7 2. 3-point goals — 9 (Johnson 5, Holden 2, Hall 1, Meiborg 1). Team fouls — 14. Fouled out — None.