Friday in what has been built as one of the biggest games in the NTC this season. It was close at first, but Altamont flexed its defensive muscles in the midfield. The Indians would go on to win in decisive fashion, 61-43 over North Clay.
Both teams went on winning streaks and came back to fourth early in the game, living up to the hype of the game. Alex Boose opened the game with a triple for North Clay. Altamont would take a 5-3 lead on a triple by Avery Jahraus. Logan Fleener for the Cardinals would trade baskets back and forth with the Indians as Fleener poured in six in the first quarter. Fleener had a free at the end of the quarter to cut the lead to three, 16-13 after one.
Mason Robinson would take over in the 2nd for Altamont. Robinson scored eight in the quarter, including several big 3-pointers. Jared Hammer would also come up with some key steals in parts of the next few quarters. Eric Kollmann was also a beast on the boards, pouring in six in the first half, mostly on the offensive backs. Fleener would score six more to try and keep the Cardinals in it. A late defensive stop for the Indians would extend the lead to nine at the break, 30-21.
North Clay from the locker started to have some turnovers and the shots just weren’t falling on the cards. Altamont would take control in the second half. Several key plays late in the quarter came from Hammer and Dillan Elam. After the steal, Hammer found Kollmann running in transition to send the crowd into a frenzy. Elam would make it a three late in the quarter as the lead grew to 14 after three 43-29.
In the fourth quarter, Altamont finished things off with a couple more baskets from Kollmann, who finished with 14 on the night. Jahraus’ 3-pointer with less than two minutes left would be the dagger and Altamont would win 61-43. Altamont’s hitting streak is now in double figures at 10.
Altamont improves to 15-3 overall and 3-0 in the NTC. A win is always so important because Saturday morning was the meeting for the conference tournament.
North Clay sees its winning streak snapped at eight. The Cardinals fall to 12-5 and 3-1 in the NTC.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||
| Northern clay | 13 | 8 | 8 | 14 | 43 |
| Altamont | 16 | 14 | 13 | 18 | 61 |
Altamont points
Robinson 19, Jahraus 15, Kollmann 14, Elam 5, Eirhart 4, Hammer 2.
North Clay Points
Fleener 23, Boose 12, Zimdars 4, Smith 4.