Western Dubuque had won four in a row coming out of the mid-season break, but in the rugged Mississippi Valley Conference, things can change in a hurry.
Cedar Rapids Prairie handed Western Dubuque its first loss of 2023, 66-60, at Prairie High School, Jan. 17, and 5A No. 8 Dubuque Senior gave them a second loss, at Senior, Jan. 20.
It was tight all the way at Prairie. The Hawks led 32-31 at the half, and upped the advantage to five, 55-50, after three quarters. Prairie held off the Bobcats down the stretch to improve to 5-7 on the season, while WD fell to 6-6.
“It was a tough week dropping two games,” said coach Grady Gallagher. “Against Prairie, we did not do a good job identifying and stopping their best three-point shooter and gave up points on consecutive free throws to give them points and extra possessions.”
The Bobcats made 20-of-47 field goals (42.5%) including 4-of-14 three-point shots, 16-of-21 free throws and committed 13 turnovers.
Western Dubuque statistics against Prairie: scoring — Caleb Klein 14, Daviyon Gaston and Kanyon Bryte 12, Colton McIlrath 10, Jake Goodman five, Kayden Singh four, Luke Callahan three; three-points goals — Gaston, McIlrath, Goodman and Callahan one; rebounds — Gaston and Bryte seven, McIlrath and Goodman three, Klein and Will Hoefer two, Gannon Hickie and Singh one; assists — Gaston seven, Klein and Goodman two, McIlrath and Singh one; steals — Gaston three, Klein and Bryte two, McIlrath one; blocked shots — Bryte three.
You know you’re going to face intense defensive pressure playing Dubuque Senior. After taking the first losses of the season in their previous two games, the Rams were not about to let the skid grow to three, breaking open a tight contest with a big final period to defeat the Bobcats, 69-48.
“Against Senior, I really applaud our guys for their effort and toughness in an extremely physical game,” Gallagher said. “This showed we have improved since our first game against Senior this season. It was a five-point game with under a minute to go in the third quarter, but the fourth was well played by Senior.”
Gaston had a fine game, leading the Bobcats with 22 points, and Bryte was solid inside with 12 points and nine rebounds.
“Daviyon was able to exploit some mismatches. Kanyon finished better and our other guys stepped up as well,” Gallagher said. “Colton McIlrath rolled his ankle in the first quarter and did not return, so we needed contributions from everyone to keep the game close.”
The Bobcats made 20-of-53 field goals (37.7%), including 2-of-15 three-point shots, 4-of-14 free throws and committed 15 turnovers.
Things don’t get any easier for the Bobcats with unbeaten Cedar Rapids Kennedy coming to town, Jan. 24.
“There’s no time to hang our heads with Kennedy coming to our place Tuesday. Man, are they impressive,” Gallagher said. “Our goal is to be playing our best at the end of the season, and we know we can still play better if we concentrate on the little things and get healthy at the right time.”
Western Dubuque statistics against Dubuque Senior: scoring — Gaston 22, Bryte 12, Klein nine, Hoefer four, McIlrath two; three-point goals — Gaston two; rebounds — Bryte nine, Klein five, Hoefer and Singh four, Goodman three, Gaston two, Hickie one; assists — McIlrath two, Hickie and Bryte one; steals — Bryte three, Singh two, Gason and Klein one; blocked shots — Gaston one.
