10 Best: Mason City (51) at Dowling (64)
West Des Moines — Dowling played masterful basketball in the first, second and fourth quarters Friday night, and that was enough to stave off a Mason City squad that got red-hot in the third. Sam Ingoli led the charge for…
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Continue ReadingWest Des Moines — Dowling played masterful basketball in the first, second and fourth quarters Friday night, and that was enough to stave off a Mason City squad that got red-hot in the third.
Sam Ingoli led the charge for the Maroons (10-3), scoring 13 first half points and finishing with a team-high 17. And it was Cole Coffin and Luke Yacinich who hit the two biggest shots — bridging the third and fourth quarters with triples, and breaking a 37-all tie after a furious post-half Mason City comeback.
The Mohawks (7-4) defeated Dowling by 13 earlier this month, and the Maroons used that game as motivation tonight — it worked.
Kyle Lang, who has been outstanding all season. led the Mohawks with 18 points. Zack Hendrickson added 13. Joey Kern and Coffin helped out Ingoli, each scoring 12 for the Maroons.
Individual
MASON CITY (51)—Lang 18, Hendrickson 14, Skogan 13, Miller 4, Pappas 2, Dingman 2. Also Played—Rood. Totals 22 2-4.
DOWLING (64)—Ingoli 17, Kern 12, Coffin 12, Olson 9, Waggoner 7, Yacinich 5, Bell 2. Also Played—Clark. Totals 20 16-21.
Team Totals
Mason City 10 10 17 14—51
Dowling 16 13 11 24—64
MVP: Sam Ingoli (Dowling)
This was an easy choice, and based upon his insanely efficient numbers this season, we’re guessing it’s been the theme for the Maroons all year. He is as poised of a player as we’ve seen this season, and is always under control. Each move is well-calculated and each pass well-thought-out — that leads to great shots, for him and his teammates. Ingoli holds one offer, from North Dakota — more should come in soon.
Sam Ingoli only takes excellent shots #iahsbkb
— TJ Rushing (@TjRushing) January 21, 2017
Play of the Game: Cole Coffin Triple (Dowling)
Though Luke Yacinich’s 3 to start the fourth quarter was just as critical, it was Coffin’s 3 that helped stop the bleeding and regained momentum for Dowling heading in to the final frame. Joey Kern found Coffin in the right corner, and the 6’2 senior splashed the corner 3 just as the buzzer was sounding.
Cole Coffin busts a triple in the corner to beat the 3Q buzzer, Maroons needed that. Gonna be riveting 4th #iahsbkb
— TJ Rushing (@TjRushing) January 21, 2017
Best Offensive Performance: Sam Ingoli
He was carefully crafting every shot-attempt he put up, and it’s no wonder he’s shooting north of 55 percent from the floor this season. He finished with a team-high 17 points, and did it without taking one ill-advised shot. Ingoli is very impressive.
Best Defensive Performance: Joey Kern Block (Dowling)
Kern is one of the smartest players in the state, and is seldom caught out of position defensively. But he had memorable play tonight, when — during a critical juncture of the game — he nicked a piece of a Mohawk shot attempt, securing his third block of the season. He then looked over to his bench, flashed a smile, and gave them three fingers – he knew.
Best Shooter: Cole Coffin (Dowling)
Coffin was smooth from beyond the arc, and that one he hit to beat the third quarter buzzer changed the complexion of the game. But he hit three triples in all, each one just as pure and pretty as the last. He missed some time earlier this season after he suffered a broken nose. He’s getting into his groove now.
Best Quote: Sam Ingoli on Coffin, Yacinich
“They’re finally starting to get their swagger. They both had broken noses, so they had to sit out five to six games. It’s hard to just come out of a injury like that and come into the game and produce. But those guys have done a good job.”
Best Underclassmen: Dylan Miller (Mason City)
There was just one underclassmen from either team in this game, so Miller would have received this accolade no matter what. It just so happens that he’s a starter for the Mohawks, and he’s very good. We didn’t know much about the 6’1 guard until last week when we saw him at Urbandale, but he’s the future of Mohawks hoops – that’s for sure.
Other Team’s Best Guy: Kyle Lang (Mason City)
This is the second consecutive weekend we’ve had the pleasure of seeing Lang play, and he’s showed glimpses of brilliance each time. He’s what makes the Mohawks go, and he plays with a certain swagger that seems to be contagious. He’ s good shooter who handles the ball well and gets to the rim with ease. Division II and NAIA programs should be taking notice of the 5’11 point guard. A Division III program would be lucky to have him.
Best Big-man: John Waggoner (Dowling)
More-so known for his prowess on the football field, Waggoner definitely gets it done for the Maroons on the hardwood too. And holy cow is this kid huge. But he pairs coordination with his size and strength, and he is certainly one of the most effective big-men in the state. Scary to think that he and Ingoli have a whole additional year together after this one.
Story to Watch: Ingoli’s Recruitment
The junior point guard’s potential has always been very evident, and it’s been an ongoing process for him to reach that potential. Though he’s not yet all the way there, it was clear tonight that he’s ready to be regarded as truly one of the state’s best players. He’s got one Divison I offer from North Dakota, the question is: will more come in this summer? We think yes.