Titan boys defeat Sioux City East, fall to Brandon Valley

On Friday, Feb. 13 the Tea Area High School boys’ basketball team traveled to Sioux City East High School to take on the Raiders. 

Tea Area opened up the game with a 15-8 lead but watched as the Raiders fought back in. Things were tight at the end but the Titans managed to steal the 56-55 victory. 

“This was another thriller against a top team and somehow we were able to escape with a win. We controlled the game for most of the way, but East would never relent and with their size and strength they started to wear us down in the second half. The boys kept fighting, but East got hot from deep late in the game, which is what good teams do,” said Titan head coach Drew Weber. “We left ourselves in a spot for somebody to be a hero on the last play and Mitch’s tremendous last second tip in was just that heroic, winning play that we talk about all of the time. You cannot rep situations like this practice at the same level of intensity and drama, so sometimes you just need someone to go make a play and Mitch was the guy to do it. I don’t think anyone that has watched him or our team all season was necessarily surprised that he came through when we needed it most, because he’s been doing it all season, just like many of our guys have.”

Grant finished the night with 11 points, nine rebounds, one assist and one steal. 

“This one was another brutally physically, intense ball game and I’m awfully proud of how each guy stepped up and delivered something to help us come out on top,” Weber added.

Gavin Shawd led the Titans in scoring with 28 points in the game. He also had two assists and three steals. Grifin Wiebenga finished with 11 points, six rebounds, four assist and one steal. Lane Sieber had four points and Lundin had two points, three rebounds, and two assists. 

On Tuesday, Feb. 17 the Titans took on Brandon Valley. The Titans struggled to get going against the Lynx and suffered the 62-33 loss. 

“This game was a stinker from beginning to end. We really struggled offensively all game and eventually Brandon Valley capitalized on it. They really played a great game and were clearly the more desperate team,” said Weber. “We will refocus and get a few good days of practice before heading to Yankton on Friday for another tough test.”

Against Brandon, Wiebenga  led the Titans with 17 points. He had three rebounds, one assist and one steal. Grant finished with eight points, ten rebounds, and one assist. Shawd had four points, three rebounds and both Lundin and Williamson provided two points. Lundin also had four rebounds and Williamson pulled down two. The Titans shot just over 23 percent in the game. Brandon Valley shot over 55 percent. 

The Titans were scheduled to face Yankton on Friday, Feb. 20 in Yankton and will host Sioux Falls Washington on Tuesday, Feb. 24 in a 7 p.m. match-up. They host Marshall on Thursday, Feb. 26 in their final game of the regular season.