OSKALOOSA —
Long, athletic, solid, fundamental, disciplined — just words, but when used to describe the undefeated top-ranked team in the state — they can be downright scary.
Danville, an experienced state tournament team, dominated from start to finish in their 61-29 win over Sigourney in the Class 1A District 5 Substate championship Saturday night in Oskaloosa.
Danville, behind the play of Steven Soukup, led 16-3 after the first eight minutes of play. Soukup opened the game with three straight baskets for a 6-0 Danville lead. Allen Denny’s 3 to end the run, was the only scoring for Sigourney in the quarter. Soukup added eight more points to lead the Bears to their first quarter margin. Soukup’s 14 points in the opening quarter would give him a good start on his game-high 36.
The Bears’ pressure forced the Savages into six first quarter turnovers and took them out of their offense.
“We’ve struggled at times against pressure,” said Sigourney coach Mitch Eslick. “They’re really smart and anticipate really well.”
The Danville lead stretched to 20-3 early in the second before back-to-back baskets by Vuclav Bujnoch and Jackson Davis closed the Savage deficit to 20-7. The lead went back to 18 before Davis added a free throw. Two free throws by the other Soukup, brother Michael, made the score 27-8 at the half.
Another big quarter in the third ended all doubt as to the game’s outcome. Danville used a 19-5 margin to lead 46-13 after three.
The Soukup brothers (Steven leading the way with 11) combined for 16 of the points.
“I’m not totally disappointed in our defensive effort,” said Eslick. “They do a great job of spreading the floor and moving the ball.”
The fourth quarter was Sigourney’s best. They would outscore the Bears 16-15 in the final eight minutes.
Davis and Bujnoch (each with a 3) would lead Sigourney (21-4) in the fourth with six and five points respectively. Davis led the Savages with a team-high 12 on the night.
Steven Soukup added the final seven of his 36 to lead the Bears in the shortened final quarter. A late 3 by Sigourney’s Colby Kerkove closed out the scoring in the 61-29 Bear victory.
“Eventually, the positives of this season will be the memories for these guys.” said Eslick. “I’m proud of this team and our seven seniors added a lot to the Sigourney basketball tradition.”
Danville 61, Sigourney 29
DAN 16 11 19 15 — 61
SIG 3 5 5 16 — 29
DAN (61) — Connor Hogberf 1, M. Soukup 13, S.Soukup 36, Shae Seils 2, Connor Hoelzen 9. Totals 19-39 17-25 61.
3-point goals — 6-17 (S. Soukup 3, Hoelzen 3) . Fouled out — none. Rebounds — 20 (S. Soukup 7). Assists — 8(M. Soukup 6). Steals — 19 (Mason Speer 4, M. Soukup 4, Hoelzen 4). Blocks — 1 (S. Soukup). Total fouls ‹ 16. Turnovers — 12.
SIG (29) — Denny 3, Shane Swearingen 2, Davis 12, Kerkove 3, Bujnoch 7, Brandon Stuhr 2. Totals 10-29 5-13 29.
3-point goals — 4-13 (Denny, Davis, Bujnoch, Kerkove). Fouled out — Kyle Ferree. Rebounds — 20 (Stuhr 8). Assists — 5(Bujnoch 2). Steals — 7 (Denny, Ferree, Swearingen, Jordan Albert, Davis, Dalton Webster, Bujnoch). Blocks — 3 (Stuhr 2). Total fouls — 22. Turnovers — 26.
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