By Tad Dorsey
2020-21 MEN’S BASKETBALL STANDINGS
| SCHOOL | GPAC | Overall |
| Concordia | 3-0 | 6-1 |
| Dakota Wesleyan | 3-0 | 4-1 |
| RV Northwestern | 2-1 | 4-1 |
| 7 Morningside | 1-1 | 5-1 |
| Jamestown | 1-1 | 4-2 |
| Briar Cliff | 1-1 | 3-3 |
| Dordt | 1-2 | 5-2 |
| Midland | 1-3 | 1-4 |
| Doane | 0-0 | 3-2 |
| Hastings | 0-2 | 3-3 |
| Mount Marty | 0-2 | 2-4 |
- Concordia continued a very impressive start to the season with an 82-59 victory over RV Dordt to extend a 6-game winning streak. This is their 10th consecutive GPAC victory dating back to last season. The Bulldog defense was dominant, especially early on. The only allowed 19 points in the first half against a Dordt team that hasn’t had any problem putting points on the board this season. The Bulldogs defense held the Defenders to just 36% shooting. Ryan Holt led the charge going 6-10 (all from 3) with 18 points and 4 rebounds. Justin Wiersema was 8-14 with 18 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Gage Smith was 5-8 with 16 points and 9 rebounds. Concordia improves to 3-0 in the GPAC and 6-1 overall. The Bulldogs are off this week.
- Dakota Wesleyan had a very impressive week with two narrow conference wins. They posted an upset at RV Dordt, knocking off the Defenders in double overtime, 80-78. This was Nick Harden’s season debut following an injury. The Tigers built up a lead in the first half, with an 11-2 run to erase an early 17-10 deficit. The run was led by a pair of threes from Ace Zorr. DWU managed a 39-30 lead at halftime. Dordt battled back in the second half, managing to tie the game. The game was tied at 57 going into the first overtime. A quick Sawyer Schultz three saw DWU go up 63-60 in OT. With DWU up by 3, the Defenders hit a buzzer beater three to force another period of OT. DWU again hit threes early in the period, this time by Jeffery Schuch and Mason Larson. They managed to hold the lead this time, finishing off an impressive road victory. Harden was impressive in his debut, going 9-18 with 21 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals. Schuch was also efficient, going 9-14 with 18 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Larson added a double-double, with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots. The Tigers followed that up with an impressive comeback against Hastings, winning 74-70. Hastings used some impressive runs to take an early 11-point lead. A late dunk by Mason Larson gave DWU a spark, and they cut the lead to just 9 at halftime, 41-32. Larson also started the 2nd half strong, with a three, and an ally-oop assisted by Nick Harden. DWU took the lead midway through the 2nd half with a layup by Bradley Dean. After Hastings went back in front, Sawyer Schultz hit three three-pointers to go up 57-49. Hastings countered with a 10-0 to go back in front. Jeffrey Schuch gave DWU the lead back with a three and a pair of layups. The Tigers made free throws at the end to secure the win. All five Tiger starters hit double figures. Sawyer Schultz was 4-9 with 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 blocks. DWU improves to 3-0 in the GPAC, 4-1 overall. They are at Dickinson State on Friday.
- RV Northwestern posted a solid 2-0 week in the GPAC. They knocked of Jamestown 91-78 in Jamestown. Northwestern was hot early, hitting four threes in a 17-5 run to go up 23-9. They held the lead from there. The lead was 55-32 at half. Northwestern extended their lead to 29 early in the second half before a late Jimmies run cut it down to the final 13-point margin. 5 Red Raiders hit double figures, led by Alex Van Kalsbeek going 10-14 with 23 points and 4 assists. Isaac Heyer was 7-10 (5-8 from 3) with 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. Jay Small had a solid all-around game with 17 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds. The Raiders defeated Midland 97-79. Northwestern used a 13-2 run early to go up 20-13. With Midland leading 31-29 with 5:23 left, Northwestern started an 11-0 run to take the lead for good. Craig Sterk and Van Kalsbeek scored 9 of the 11 points. It was 42-34 at half. Northwestern used a 16-4 run early in the 2nd half to pull away. Craig Sterk scored a career high 28 points on 12-15 shooting. Van Kalsbeek was 8-11 with 20 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks. The Raiders improve to 2-1 in the GPAC, 4-1 overall. They are at #7 Morningside on Tuesday and at Presentation on Saturday.
- #7 Morningside defeated Mount Marty 68-58 in their lone game of the week. The first half was very competitive, seeing 7 lead changes. Morningside used a 9-0 run to go up 23-18 with 6:06 left in the half and managed a 34-30 lead at halftime. Mount Marty ended up with a 56-52 lead with 6;06 left, but the Mustangs used another 9-0 run to go up 61-56, a lead which they held. Trey Brown was 5-14 with 16 points and 12 rebounds. The Mustangs improve to 5-1, 1-1 in the GPAC. Morningside hosts RV Northwestern on Tuesday.
- Jamestown lost their first GPAC game of the year, falling 91-78 against RV Northwestern. The Raiders offense was hard to keep up with early on in this one. The Jimmies saw themselves down by 15 less than 10 minutes into the game. Mason Walters and Will Cordes helped Jamestown narrow the deficit to 33-25 with 8:31 remaining. A four-minute scoring drought late in the first half spelled doom for Jamestown as Northwestern pulled away. A late 25-8 run for Jamestown made the score look a bit better. Mason Walters was 11-19 with 24 points and 9 rebounds. The Jimmies fall to 1-1 in the GPAC, 4-2 overall. Jamestown as at Hastings on Monday before playing at Doane on Wednesday.
- Briar Cliff was off this week. They are 1-1 in the GPAC and 3-3 overall. Briar Cliff is at RV Dordt on Tuesday.
- RV Dordt was 0-2 in their GPAC contests this week. They suffered a heartbreaking 80-78 double overtime loss at home against Dakota Wesleyan. Dordt went up 19-12 early off a basket from Bryce Coppock. Dakota Wesleyan went on a run from there, taking a 9-point lead into halftime. Late in the half Dordt went on a 17-4 run to tie the game at 55 on a basket from star freshman Jacob Vis. Down 2 with 3:38 left, Garrett Franken scored a basket to tie it at 57. That concluded the scoring in regulation as both teams missed on chances to take the lead. Dordt trailed for almost all of the first overtime but managed to force the second overtime with a three-point basket at the buzzer by Cade Bleeker. Dordt took their first lead since the first half to open 2OT on a basket form Jesse Jansma, but a pair of threes from DWU allowed them to build a lead. A three-point basket from Garrett Franken gave Dordt the lead back with 1:21 left, but a 5-0 run for DWU had the Defenders down 80-76. Dordt got within 2, and had another chance to win at the buzzer, but this three from Bleeker did not hit the mark. Jacob Vis was very good again, going 7-10 with 17 points, 16 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Jansma added 20 points, 7 assists, and 3 steals. The Defenders struggled to an 82-59 loss at Concordia. The game was tied 13-13 early on, before the Bulldogs used a 10-0 to take a lead they kept throughout. Concordia saw a 41-21 early in the second half. Dordt cut it to 12 on a basket from Bryce Coppock but could not get any closer. Franken was 7-18 with 17 points and 4 rebounds. No other Defender hit double figures. Dordt falls to 1-2 in the GPAC, 5-2 overall. The Defenders host Briar Cliff on Tuesday.
- Midland posted their first win of the season, knocking off Hastings 83-66 at home to start their week. Midland won behind 14-31 shooting from behind the arc. Midland was up 18-12 with 13:42 left behind 3 three-pointers from Bo Sandquist. With the game tied at 37, the Warriors ended the half with a full court pass from Jake Rueschhoff to Kyle Castille for the buzzer-beating layup to go up 39-37 at halftime. Midland maintained the lead for most of the 2nd half on route to the victory. Josh Lambert was 9-13 with 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists. Emanuel Bryson was 7-9 with 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. The Warriors could not extend the momentum to their next game, falling 97-79 against RV Northwestern. It was a competitive first half for Midland. Threes from Kyle Castille and Laurence Merritt sparked an 8-0 run to put Midland up 21-20 midway through the half. Northwestern used a 13-3 run to go up 42-34 at halftime. The offense for Northwestern was too much for Midland in the 2nd half, as they opened on a 16-6 run to go up 58-40. Castille lead the Warriors going 8-13 (3-5 from 3) with 19 points and 4 rebounds. Lambert was 7-12 with 17 points and 3 assists. Merritt was 6-11 with 14 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds. Midland goes to 1-3 in the GPAC, 1-4 overall. The Warriors are at Midland on Tuesday before hosting Dakota State Friday in the Draemel Classic.
- Doane has finished their 2 weeks off due to COVID-19 issues. They are scheduled to resume play with 2 home games this week, Jamestown on Wednesday and Mount Marty on Friday.
- Hastings lost both of their first two GPAC games. They fell 74-70 at Midland in their opening GPAC contest. The Broncos were playing without Mason Hiemstra. The first half they were able to stay close. The Broncos ended up on a 13-6 run to cut Midland’s lead to 39-37 at halftime. Midland’s offense was able to pull away after halftime. Dashawn Walker led the Broncos going 9-16 with 19 points and 6 rebounds. Ben Juhl was 6-13 with 16 points and 4 rebounds. The Broncos also fell 74-70 at Dakota Wesleyan. They were much more competitive with Mason Hiemstra back in the lineup. The Broncos were up 19-16, and they extended on that with a run sparked by a Hiemstra three-pointer to go up 26-18. The Broncos maintained the lead through the half and were up 41-32 at halftime. DWU started the half with a big run, 25-8 to go up 57-49. Hastings continued battling, and eventually regained the lead on a basket from Karson Gansebom with just over 7 minutes remaining. The Tigers had a 68-62 lead, but Hastings had one last run. Free throws by Juhl and a layup by Jared Mattley cut the lead to 68-66 with 1:02 left in the game. Hastings had some chances to tie the game but could not get the tying basket. Mattley led the Broncos, going 6-11 with 16 points. Hiemstra added 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals in his return. Hastings falls to 0-2 in the GPAC, 3-3 overall.
- Mount Marty fell 68-58 on the road against #7 Morningside. The Lancers played a tough defensive effort in the first half, forcing 8 turnovers stay within 34-30 of the Mustangs at halftime. The Lancers gave the Mustangs a scare, leading 56-55 with 5:20 remaining, but Morningside held strong and ended the game on a 13-2 run to secure the victory. Elijah Pappas led Mount Marty going 7-18 with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals. Chad Moran was 5-9 with 15 points and 5 rebounds. Mount Marty falls to 2-4, 0-2 in the GPAC. Mount Marty is at Doane on Saturday.
TAD’S POWER RANKINGS
- Concordia (+3) – 10 game GPAC win streak is a very impressive feat
- Northwestern (+3) – This offense can cause problems for anyone
- Jamestown (-2) – Need to find a second option behind Mason Walters on offense
- Morningside (-2) – To close for comfort against Mount Marty
- Dakota Wesleyan (+2) – Very impressive performance against Dordt, they look a lot better with Nick Harden back
- Dordt (-3) – Rough loss to DWU, they can bounce back
- Hastings (-1) – Competed with a good DWU team
- Briar Cliff (-) – BCU lives and dies by the three
- Midland (+2) – Good win against Hastings
- Doane – Hopefully we can see Doane back on the court soon
- Mount Marty (-2) – Need to find a go to scorer
GAMES OF THE WEEK
Jamestown (1-1 4-2) at Hastings (0-2 3-3) Monday November 23rd 8pm CT
RV Northwestern (2-1 4-1) at #7 Morningside (1-1 5-1) Tuesday November 24th, 8:00pm CT
Briar Cliff (1-1 3-3) at RV Dordt (1-2 5-2) Tuesday November 24th, 8:00pm CT
GPAC Stat Leaders
Points Per Game
- Mason Walters (JAM) 26.83ppg (#12 nationally)
- Alex Van Kalsbeek (NWC) 20.00ppg
- Mason Hiemstra (HAS) 18.20ppg
- Dashawn Walker (HAS) 17.00ppg
- Justin Wiersema (CUNE) 16.57ppg
- Trey Brown (MOR) 16.33ppg
- Jared Mattley (HAS) 15.33ppg
- Jacob Vis (DOR) 15.00ppg
- Jaden Kleinhesselink (BCU) 15.00ppg
- Garrett Franken (DOR) 14.71ppg
FG% (minimum 75% games played, and 5 FG made per game)
- Alex Van Kalsbeek (NWC) 71% (#19 nationally)
- Mason Walters (JAM) 68.4%
- Jacob Vis (DOR) 65.5%
- Trey Brown (MOR) 62.7%
- Dashawn Walker (HAS) 62.1%
- Justin Wiersema (CUNE) 60.6%
- Josh Lambert (MID) 60.0%
- Jeffrey Schuch (DWU) 58.7%
- Jared Mattley (HAS) 54.4%
- Karson Gansebom (HAS) 53.6%
3PT FG% (Min 75% of games played and 1.5 3PT FG per game)
- Aidan Vanderloo (MOR) 61.5%
- Will Cordes (JAM) 61.1%
- Emanuel Bryson (MID) 55.5%
- Jared Mattley (HAS) 52.0%
- Sawyer Schultz (DWU) 48.3%
- Mason Hiemstra (HAS) 47.1%
- Justin Wiersema (CUNE) 45.0%
- Nick Hoyt (BCU) 43.2%
- Conner Groves (BCU) 42.3%
- Sam Scarpelli (CUNE) 41.7%
FT% (Min 75% of Games Played and 2.5 FT made per game)
- Ben Moxness (DOA) 93.3%
- Trey Winkler (DOA) 92.9%
- Ethan Friedel (BCU) 92.0%
- Karson Gansebom (HAS) 87.0%
- Mason Walters (JAM) 85.7%
- Will Pottebaum (MOR) 84.0%
- Mason Hiemstra (HAS) 79.3%
- Jacob Vis (DOR) 78.1%
- Josh Lambert (MID) 77.3%
- Jaden Kleinhesselink (BCU) 74.1%
Assists per game
- Jay Small (NWC) 4.40apg
- Jesse Jansma (DOR) 4.00apg
- Jake Rueschhoff (MID) 4.00apg
- Koln Oppold (DWU) 3.80apg
- Quinten Vasa (BCU) 3.50apg
- Devan Praska (JAM) 3.50apg
- Trent Hilbrands (NWC) 3.40apg
- Alex Van Kalsbeek (NWC) 3.00apg
- Sam Scarpelli (CUNE) 3.00apg
- Gage Smith (CUNE) 2.86apg
- Carter Kent (CUNE) 2.86apg
Rebounds per game
- Mason Walters (JAM) 12.67rpg (#9 nationally)
- Gage Smith (CUNE) 11.86rpg (#17 nationally)
- Mason Hiemstra (HAS) 8.00rpg
- Zach Imig (MOR) 8.00rpg
- Trey Brown (MOR) 7.83rpg
- Jacob Vis (DOR) 7.57rpg
- Mason Larson (DWU) 7.40rpg
- Dashawn Walker (HAS) 7.33rpg
- Garrett Franken (DOR) 7.29rpg
- Koln Oppold (DWU) 7.20rpg
Steals per game
- Zach Imig (MOR) 2.83spg
- Jake Rueschhoff (MID) 2.00spg
- Zach Witters (DOA) 2.00spg
- Justin Wiersema (CUNE) 1.86spg
- Anthony Laravie (DOA) 1.80spg
- Elijah Pappas (MMU) 1.67spg
- Mason Hiemstra (HAS) 1.60spg
- Garrett Franken (DOR) 1.43spg
- Bradley Dean (DWU) 1.40spg
- Jay Small (NWC) 1.40spg
Blocks per game
- Mason Larson (DWU) 2.00bpg (Tied 17th nationally)
- Matt O’Brien (HAS) 1.67bpg
- Jacob Vis (DOR) 1.57bpg
- Alex Van Kalsbeek (NWC) 1.40bpg
- Koln Oppold (DWU) 1.20bpg
- Quinten Vasa (BCU) 1.17bpg
- Brock Schrom (JAM) 1.00bpg
- Trey Brown (MOR) 1.00bpg
- Camden Bialas (DOR) 0.86bpg
- Mason Walters (JAM) 0.83bpg
- Codey Hicks (BCU) 0.83bpg
