Defending state champs top Cards

Alan Dale Randolph Times

LAUREL — There is no hiding from the fact: It’s been a tough start to the Randolph Cardinals boys basketball season.

But, realistically at 0-3, a lot of that stems from playing a loaded schedule and last week was definitely no exception.

The Cardinals dropped a 66-44 decision against Ponca before falling 79- 29 at Laurel-Concord-Coleridge two nights later.

“We played much better compared to the previous week,” Randolph head coach Jim Hixson said. “Last week we got beat back badly. We did a much better job getting back this week and were able to draw three charge calls. I made a deal with the team: They wanted to be able to wear boots on game days, so I told them for every charge they take they can wear boots to one game.

“The boys were pretty excited when we got the first charge. We had the lead at the end of the first quarter and were only down by three at half. We again were missing two players, that really hurt our depth. The lack of depth and having a couple of players get in foul trouble and eventually fouling out, was a factor down the stretch.”

The LCC loss was a tough one considering such a strong start.

“The kids gave a great effort in the first quarter to only be down by five to the No. 1 team in D1,” Hixson said. “In the second quarter, however we started turning the ball over against their press and they pulled away quickly in the second quarter.

“Turnovers and lack of rebounds proved to be an area that will focus on again in practice next week.”

This week, Randolph traveled to Wakefield on Tuesday and will head to Bloomfield Thursday and host Wynot Saturday.

“With three games it will be important to continue to improve our defense and rebounding,” Hixson said. “I also hope that we will get one or two players back which will help our depth. We will need to cut down our turnovers and play better defense to achieve success.”

Tristan Mosel led the way against Ponca, scoring 19 points while Justin Haselhorst added 15 points, and he is still optimistic about the direction the Cardinals are heading.

“We looked a lot better than we did when we played Osmond last week and everyone is getting along better,” Mosel said. “If we can get past these games, it should be easier from there and we can do a lot more than people think.

“Osmond, Ponca and Laurel are the three best teams on our schedule. We still need to keep our attitudes up and keep our heads in the game and stay calm the whole time.”

He added that the lack of varsity experience is still something that the Cardinals will deal with as the season adds some rings in the oak.

“We see the guys improving every day,” Mosel said. “You can see in practice and games that they have made it far from the beginning of the season until now – especially effort-wise.

“There are a lot of people who have changed a lot attitude-wise. We just got to get to playing the game at our pace and keeping our poise.”

Randolph 12 0 5 12 — 29

LCC 17 36 21 5 — 79

LCC Randolph

FG 24-40 11-28

FT 13-19 3-7

3PT 6-16 2-9

Reb 26 15

TOS 8 29

SCORING

Randolph - Justin Haselhorst, 14; Tom Korth, 6; Tristan Mosel, 3; Sam Korth, 2; Tyson Junck, 2. LCC - Cael Hartung, 20; Evan Schmitt, 12; Lucas Rasmussen, 9; Evan Haisch, 8; Austin Hall, 6; Wilton Roberts, 4; M Martin, 4; C Kvols, 4; Grant Erwin, 3; Dillon Olson, 3; Trevor Boysen, 3; Deagan Puppe, 3.

REBOUNDS Randolph - Tristan Mosel, 7; Sam Korth, 4; Justin Haselhorst, 3; Isaiah Salmon, 1. LCC - Evan Haisch, 6; C Kvols, 4; Austin Hall, 4; Deagan Puppe, 3; M Martin, 4; D Puppe, 2; Cael Hartung, 2; Trevor Boysen, 1; Wilton Roberts, 1.

ASSISTS Randolph - Justin Haselhorst, 2; Sam Korth, 2; Tristan Mosel, 1. LCC - Ethan Haisch, 5; Ethan Schmitt, 2; Cael Hartung, 2; Wilton Roberts, .1; Lucas Rasmussen, 1; M. Martin, 1.

STEALS LCC - Cael Hartung, 4; Evan Haisch, 4; Austin Hall, 3; Evan Schmitt, 3; Wilton Roberts, 2; Lucas Rasmussen, 2; Grant Erwin, 1; Dillon Olson, 1; Trevor Boysen, 1; M. Martin, 1.

Randolph 15 6 14 9 — 44

Ponca 9 15 20 22 — 66

Randolph

FG 10-26 FT 6-8

FT 6-8 3PT 6-19

3PT 6-19

Reb 24

TOS 17

SCORING Randolph - Tristan Mosel, 19; Justin Haselhorst, 15; Sam Korth, 4; Tyson Junck, 2; Isaiah Salmon, 2; J Calder, 2.

REBOUNDS Randolph - Sam Korth, 9; Tristan Mosel, 8; Tom Korth, 3; Justin Haselhorst, 2; J Calder, 1; Tyson Junck, 1.

ASSISTS Randolph - Justin Haselhorst, 6; J Calder, 2; Tristan Mosel, 1; Tom Korth, 1; Sam Korth, 1.

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