'Dogs top Braves in Lakes action

(Sentinel photo by Roy Tucker) Le Mars' Kyan Ludwig scrambles to gain control of a loose ball during Friday's Lakes Conference win over Cherokee. [Click to enlarge]

On the night that the No. 10 Le Mars boys basketball team honored its seniors, it was a sophomore who stood above the rest.

Austin Homan came off the bench to score 10 points and grab 16 rebounds as the Bulldogs defeated visiting Cherokee 59-40 in Lakes Conference play on Friday at Carey Gym.

"To me the most impressive part was the individual effort from Homan," Le Mars coach Dave Irwin said. "You just don't see that out of a high school kid every day."

(Sentinel photo by Roy Tucker) Le Mars' Tanner Dowling strips the ball from a Cherokee player during Friday's Lakes Conference game at Carey Gym. [Click to enlarge]

The 'Dogs partook in a nip-and-tuck battle for the better part of three quarters before pulling away at the end of the frame.

"(We played) with consistency," Irwin said. "We didn't have that typical two- or three-minute stretch where we let a team get a big run on us. That's the most satisfying for me is that we didn't have a bad stretch."

Le Mars used its pressure defense to wear down the Braves and force them into 19 turnovers.

"We beat a good team," Irwin said. "That's a team that's been playing very well and it's a team that's athletic and has some size."

Chance Grady led the 'Dogs with 12 points and Paxton Strub added 11. Sam Van Wettering doled out five assists and Tanner Dowling added four. Grady also added four steals and Homan had a pair of blocks.

Irwin said Homan, a starter before injuring his ankle two weeks ago, will continue to come off the bench.

"He kind of relishes that role," Irwin said. "It's not broke so we're not going to try to fix it."

With the win, the 'Dogs (13-3, 10-2) further solidified their second place standing in the Lakes Conference as Cherokee dropped to 8-5 in Lakes action.

The two teams will square off again on Monday in Cherokee.