Lawrence-Nelson High School boys basketball

February 2, 2023

The Lawrence-Nelson High School boys basketball team downed the Blue Hill Bobcats 49-48 at Nelson last Tuesday. They picked up another win, Friday, when they tamed the Silver Lake Mustangs, 37-31, at Nelson, Friday. Their good fortune ended Monday when they fell to the Red Cloud Warriors 37-31 at Kenesaw in the opening round game of the Twin Valley Conference Tournament.

The Raiders trailed Blue Hill 25-18 at the half. Lawrence-Nelson came out in the third quarter and put up 20 points while holding the Warriors to 10 to take a narrow 38-35 lead into the fourth quarter. Despite the best Red Cloud efforts, the clock and the Raiders defense held on to seals the win.

It was another back and forth game for the Raiders when they took on Silver Lake. The Raiders managed to hold the Mustangs at bay thanks to a stingy defense, when the game ended the Raiders had their ninth win of the season.

Inconsistent play cost the Raiders dearly when they tangled with Red Cloud. The Raiders trailed 12-10 after the first period and were within striking distance of the lead. When the half rolled around they were down 20-8. The two teams each scored 13 points in the third period. The Raiders were unable to mount a sustained come back effort and were handed their eighth loss of the season 45-33.

Nolan Ostdiek led the scoring with 13 points against Blue Hill. Clay williams dropped in 12 points. Krayton Kucera hit for nine points. Toby Kotinek added eight points. Connor Janda scored five points. Sawyer Cox finished with two points. Ostiek hit the boards for 10 rebounds. Janda, Toby Kotinek and Kucera nabbed three rebounds each. Tyson Kotinek and Erik Wheeland landed two rebounds apiece.

Kucera scored 15 points against Silver Lake. Williams added 14 points. Cox, Janda, Toby Kotinek and Tyson Kotinek accounted for two points apiece. Kucera nailed down six rebounds. Toby Kotinek and Williams pulled down four rebounds each. Cox, Janda, Tyson Kotinek and Devyn Zikmund each snagged a rebound.

Kucera scored nine points against Red Cloud. Williams accounted for eight points. Janda contributed seven points. Ostdiek added four points. Toby Kotinek posted three points. Keaton Mazour kicked in two points.

The Raiders will play a consolation round game Saturday at Hastings College.

The Raiders host the Harvard Cardinals at Nelson Tuesday.