With the pace and intensity cranked up, the La Center boys basketball team was up to the challenge.
Hunter Ecklund scored 27 points, Avery Seter added 21 and the Wildcats earned a key Trico League win at home.
“It was an intense game,” La Center coach Jeremy Ecklund said. “For little ol’ La Center, the gym was really rocking.”
Unlike Wednesday’s loss to King’s Way Christian, when La Center was 2 for 23 from 3-point range, Friday’s matchup favored end-to-end style.
La Center drove to the rim, often drawing fouls. The Wildcats shot 33 free throws, making 24.
“It was a fast-paced game, so we were able to rip and go to the rim,” Jeremy Ecklund said. “We knew this team was going to run and press.”
La Center, Seton and King’s Way entered Friday tied atop the 1A Trico League at 4-1.
La Center (14-2) pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Cougars 23-16. Ecklund and Evan Norris each had 10 rebounds.
Xavian Rushing scored 30 points to lead Seton Catholic (12-4).
LA CENTER 83, SETON CATHOLIC 75
SETON CATHOLIC — Taj Muhammad 0, Isaiah Parker 11, Kellen Ball 0, Luke Pitzer 0, Hayden Miller 2, Malik Williams 4, Gabe Anderson 16, Delano Morgan 4, Xavian Rushing 30, Andrew Olson 8, Griffin Young 0. Totals 32 (5) 6-12 75.
LA CENTER — Hunter Ball 0, Colby Shaw 13, Parker Ball, Ben Kelley 0, Tobey Deemer 0, Evan Norris 5, Avery Seter 21, Matt Bryant 10, Cedric Hubler 7, Hunter Ecklund 27. Totals 26 (7) 24-33 83.
Seton 22 21 16 16–75
La Center 24 18 18 23–83
JV — Seton 60-58.
