Cedar boys fall to one of the top teams in S.D.

HARTINGTON - Cedar Catholic tasted their first defeat of 2021 when one of the top boys basketball teams in South Dakota came to town Friday night.

Dakota Valley halted Cedar’s impressive seven-game win streak with a 78-52 setback.

It was the only game last week for the Trojans who saw a scheduled game against Ponca canceled due to inclement weather.

Dakota Valley, 11-1, is rated as the top team in it’s class, which would be considered Class Cl in Nebraska.

The team’s leading scorer, Paul Bruns, is committed to the University of North Dakota and averages 30 points per game. His brother Isaac averages 25 points per contest. Cedar was able to hold them to 19 and 16 points, respectively.

“We figured that would give us a chance to win,” Cedar Catholic Coach Matt Steffen said. “We knew that they were a really good team and the Bruns boys are two great players, so we knew what we were up against.”

But everything had to go right for the Trojans to keep their win streak going.

“We just gave up way too many transition points and too many offensive rebounds to win the game,” Steffen said.

Cedar Catholic (10-4) got 14 points from Jaxson Bernecker, 13 points from Myles Thoene and 12 points from Tate Thoene.

“Jaxson Bernecker really stepped up and had a good game for us,” Steffen said.

Cedar stuck right with the South Dakota powerhouse in the first frame, trailing 12-10 at the buzzer. In the second quarter, things began to slip away as Dakota Valley outscored Cedar 19-9.

Dakota Valley took charge in the second half, outscoring the Trojans 26-17 in the third quarter.

“They came out hot and we stayed the same. I don’t know if at the end of the half if people took it on themselves to get us back in the game and took shots they wouldn’t normally take,” Steffen said. “I felt if we just ran the offense and worked it in like we did in the first half, things would have worked out better for us. Dakota Valley can really run the floor and have some really fast guys, so they are really good in transition ball.”

Another bright spot for Cedar was Hunter Thoene, who contributed with six points and five rebounds.

Thoene worked on his game all summer and he attributes his growth on the court to his play in football which helps him as a physical player.

“I might not be as tall as the other posts, but I am definitely just as strong if not stronger,” he said. “When I get in there, I like getting rebounds and easy putbacks and if nothing is there, Til just kick it out. When I get in, I am trying to prove myself, but I am not going to take shots that I wouldn’t normally take. I just try to help the team out every chance I go in.

“Practice is a big thing and I put in 110 percent every day. Every day I go in looking for more work.”

The Trojans opened up the MidStates Conference Tournament Tuesday against Battle Creek and will continue play Friday in what could end up being a third match-up against Wayne.

“Battle Creek won a couple of tough games this last week and are really playing well,” Steffen said. We will have to show up with much intensity and play well for four quarters to beat them.”

SCORING Cedar - Jaxson Bernecker, 14; Myles Thoene, 13; Tate Thone, 12; Hunter Thoene, 6; Mac Kuehn, 4; Jay Steffen, 2; Ethan Becker, 1. Dakota Valley - Paul Bruns, 19; Isaac Bruns, 16; Chayce Montagne, 13; Alex Zephier, 11; Sam Faldmo, 8; Randy Rosenquist, 4; Joey Braun, 4; Carson Peck, 3.

REBOUNDS Cedar - Hunter Thoene, 5; Tate Thone, 4; Mac Kuehn, 3; Carson Arens, 3; Myles Thoene, 3; Grant Arens, 2; Carter Arens, 2; Jaxson Bernecker, 2; Riley Kuehn, 1; Connor Vlach, 1; Jay Steffen, 1. - Grant

ASSISTS Cedar - Myles Thoene, 3; Grant Arens, 2; Tate Thoene, 1; Mac Kuehn, 1; Jaxson Bernecker, 1.

STEALS Cedar - Tate Thoene, 2; Myles Thoene, 2; Blake Arens, 1; GrantArens, 1; Mac Kuehn, 1; HunterThoene, 1.

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