Friday, December 6, 2024

Mason Casner Gets 17 Points, 12 Boards but Mustang Rally Falls Short

North Nodaway's boys played like they were in over their heads at first against St. Joseph Christian in the third place game of the PVI Friday. They had struggled in previous meetings against the Lions. But then, they discovered too late they could handle the Lions' relentless pressure and their constant 3-point barrage. They put together a rally that got them as close as 10 points in the second half, but ran out of time and fell 56-41. Mason Casner did all he could to keep the Mustangs in the game, getting 17 points and 12 boards in the effort. Casner made the all-tournament team following the tournament.

Casner was the only blue shirt scoring for the Mustangs in the first quarter, as he had all six of their points. Meanwhile, Christian pressed relentlessly, throwing all 12 of their players into the fray at one time or another as they built up a 13-6 lead after one. They forced 24 Mustang turnovers for the game while only surrendering the ball five times. But after the Lions built up a 23-11 lead after Johnson Stewart's steal and free throws, the Mustangs started hanging around after drives from Mason Casner and Owen Martin to cut it to 23-15. Martin, who was sorely missed in the North Harrison loss, finally came back for the Christian game and was able to make his presence felt with hustle plays. 

Nick Orscheln's 3-pointer pushed the Lions lead to 28-16, but then Jordan DeLeon's putback, Mason Casner's free throw, and free throws from DeLeon to start the third quarter cut it to 28-21 and the Mustangs were still somehow in the game despite the lopsided turnover differential in the Lions' favor. 

The Mustangs had a chance to cut it to five, but a defensive stop by Christian, followed by a transition three by Orscheln sparked a Lion rally which put then ahead 38-21. Jordan DeLeon got another putback and Mason Casner hit a 3-pointer after a pass from Martin to temporarily stop the bleeding, but then Johnson Stewart scored off a Caedmon Carlson steal, Cy Carlson hit a 3-pointer, and then Logan Bubble cleaned up after another steal to give the Lions their biggest lead of the night at 45-26 at the 2:24 mark. 

Trevin Wyllie scored off a drive and then Mason Casner found Ridge Clements inside to cut it to 45-30, but then the Mustangs left Logan Hubble all alone as he put the Lions up 47-30 after three.

But then things swung in the Mustangs favor after Hubble, Christian's most physical defender, picked up his fourth and fifth fouls in quick succession to start the fourth. The Mustangs were attacking the glass constantly after the Lions dominated the boards during their early outburst, and North Nodaway was able to rack up a 35-23 rebounding advantage. Blaine Clements got a free throw, Owen Martin scored off a drive and finished with a reverse layup, Kaeden Nave went coast to coast, and Nave hit Blaine Clements inside to cut it to 47-37 with 6:19 left in the fourth.

But then the Lions went to their delay game to stop the bleeding and they were able to break the run. Mason Casner twice cut it to ten points, but then Johnson Stewart hit a 3-pointer and Nick Orscheln went backdoor and scored to push the margin back up to 15 for the Lions at the buzzer. 

For North Nodaway, Mason Casner had 17, Jordan DeLeon 8, Blaine Clements 6, Owen Martin 4, and Trevin Wyllie, Ridge Clements, and Kaeden Nave 2.

Blaine Clements had 3 blocks and Owen Martin 2.

Mason Casner had 12 boards. Blaine Clements had 7, Trevin Wyllie and Ridge Clements 4, Kaeden Nave and Jordan DeLeon 3, and Owen Martin 2.

Mason Casner and Ridge Clements had 3 assists each. Kaeden Nave had 2, and Owen Martin and Blaine Clements 1 each.

Blaine Clements, Trevin Wyllie, and Owen Martin had 2 tips each. Blaine Clements had 2 steals and Trevin Wyllie and Ridge Clements had 1 each.

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