Boys basketball: La Center 87, Stevenson 69

Hunter Ecklund scores 21 of his game-high 29 points in the second half, helping the Wildcats pull away to win its Trico League opener.

“We challenged our kids to get to the rim a little more,” La Center coach Jeremy Ecklund said. “That’s what the message was at halftime. ‘You’re going to get to the rim, then just finish your shot.’ We missed a lot of easy shots in the first half or we might have reached 100 points.”

Ecklund also added five rebounds and five assists. Matt Bryant added 17 points, Avery Seter had six and Colby Shaw had 12 points and eight rebounds for the Wildcats (5-6, 1-0 Trico).

“According to the WIAA, we played the third-toughest non-league schedule in the state at 1A,” Coach Ecklund said. “That’s the way we planned it. Now hopefully it will start to pay off.”

Isaac Hoidal had 27 to pace Stevenson.

La Center also had just nine turnovers.

“That was huge against their press,” Ecklund added.

LA CENTER 87, STEVENSON 69

STEVENSON — Maclain Hall 18, Jesse Miller 3, Jono Blackledge 2, Lincoln Krog 13, Preston Lowery 2, Charles Hobbs 4, Hall 0, Isaac Hoidal 27, Willy Lanz 0, Jon Webb 0. Totals 19 (6) 9-13 69.

LA CENTER — Shaydon Amstutz 0, Colby Shaw 12, Saige Keep 0, Colin Obot 0, Evan Norris 0, Avery Seter 16, Matt Bryant 17, Hunter Ecklund 29, Mason Weaver 2, Wyatt Siebert 4, Jack Hiller 7. Totals 29 (3) 20-27 87.

Stevenson 17 18 16 18–69

La Center 17 21 25 24–87

JV — La Center won.