In their first doubleheader of 2022, PCM’s basketball squads experienced both exhilaration and deflation as they came away with a split in their Heart of Iowa Conference Doubleheader with South Hamilton.

 

The Mustangs’ boys got their seventh win of the season and fifth in their last six games, dominating South Hamilton 55-22. PCM led wire-to-wire and outscored the Hawks in the first half 33-6. It was a dominant night on both sides for the Mustangs, as Durant Van Dyke led the way with 18 points and three blocks. Jacob Wendt stepped up and knocked down three three-pointers en route to an 11-point night. For the first time this season, PCM has a winning record in Heart of Iowa Conference play, with a 4-3 conference record to go along with a 7-6 overall record. Coach Fred Lorensen tells KRLS Sports that he was very impressed with his team’s defensive performance.

 

“Well, the biggest thing was defense. We’ve been really trying to focus on that the last three days of practice, trying to get our kids playing with intensity, and be in really good places and they did a really good job of doing that tonight.”

 

The Mustangs’ girls unfortunately suffered their third straight loss, losing to the Hawks 55-31. The Mustangs are now operating without their starting point guard, Paige Steenhoek, due to a stress fracture in her foot. A poor start combined with cold shooting proved to be too much for PCM. Riley Johannes led the team in scoring with nine points, while Sophia Steenhoek was second with eight points. The Mustangs’ record falls to 3-9 overall and 3-4 in Heart of Iowa Conference play.

 

PCM’s boys will be back in action Monday night for a showdown with No. 4 and defending Class 3A Champion Pella, a game that will be broadcast on 92.1 KRLS. PCM’s girls will have a non-conference showdown Tuesday night against Fairfield.