Colfax-Mingo Boys Basketball Secures First Win of Season

The Colfax-Mingo boys basketball team achieved its first victory of the season with a hard-fought 55-49 win against Belle Plaine on March 12, 2024. The match took place at home, where the Tigerhawks rallied in the third quarter to break a halftime tie.

Both teams entered the second half with a score of 22-22 after each scoring 11 points in the first two quarters of the South Iowa Cedar League game. The Tigerhawks seized control in the third, outscoring the Plainsmen 15-8, which ultimately set the stage for their first win after seven consecutive losses in the series. Belle Plaine managed to win the fourth quarter 19-18, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit.

Standout performances came from several players, with Wyatt Carpenter leading Colfax-Mingo by scoring a career-high 16 points, complemented by six rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Jace Lewis contributed 13 points, along with five rebounds and two assists. Other notable contributions included Chase Trotter and Izaiah Lewis, who both scored eight points each. Trotter also recorded three rebounds and three steals, while Izaiah added six boards to his tally.

Despite the victory, Colfax-Mingo faced challenges, including a high turnover rate of 20. The team shot 34.5 percent from the field, making 3-of-10 attempts from beyond the arc and converting 14-of-29 free throws. Belle Plaine, now with a record of 0-8, shot 37.5 percent overall and committed 19 turnovers.

The Tigerhawks’ momentum was tested just days later when they faced Twin Cedars on March 15, 2024. In this non-conference matchup, Jace Lewis again stepped up, scoring a career-high 24 points and adding 10 rebounds. However, Colfax-Mingo struggled with turnovers, giving away the ball 19 times, which allowed Twin Cedars to secure a 75-56 victory.

Colfax-Mingo trailed by just two points at halftime, but Twin Cedars dominated the third quarter with a 24-8 scoring run, ultimately sealing the game. In addition to Lewis, Izaiah Lewis added seven points and ten rebounds, while Carpenter and Trotter contributed seven points each.

The Tigerhawks’ shooting percentage was 35 percent overall, with only 1-of-7 attempts from three-point range. They did manage to distribute the ball well, recording 19 assists on 21 field goals. Twin Cedars, led by Holden Roberts with 22 points and 12 rebounds, shot 35 percent, including making 5-of-8 from the foul line.

On March 18, Colfax-Mingo faced GMG in another non-conference game. Despite promising performances from Jace Lewis and Wyatt Jay, the Tigerhawks fell short, losing 49-38. Jace Lewis scored 14 points while Jay added 13. The team’s shooting was again a concern, as they made only 36.4 percent of their attempts, including just 2-of-7 from beyond the arc.

GMG outperformed Colfax-Mingo in three-point shooting, landing six shots compared to the Tigerhawks’ two. In terms of rebounds, the teams were relatively even, but Colfax-Mingo’s 18 turnovers proved detrimental.

As the season progresses, Colfax-Mingo will aim to build on its first victory and address the issues that have plagued them in earlier games. The upcoming matches will be crucial for the Tigerhawks as they seek to improve their performance and secure more wins in the South Iowa Cedar League.