Steen torches H-D for a career-high 23 points, Lynx cruise
With inside position, WCHS senior Dylan Steen scores from close range against Hampton-Dumont on Friday. He poured in a career-high 23 points in the Lynx 64-31 victory. DFJ photo/Tracy Runneberg
WCHS guard Carter Neuroth (22) glides in and scores during the Lynx 64-31 win over Hampton-Dumont Friday night. DFJ photo/Tracy Runneberg
With inside position, WCHS senior Dylan Steen scores from close range against Hampton-Dumont on Friday. He poured in a career-high 23 points in the Lynx 64-31 victory. DFJ photo/Tracy Runneberg
WCHS guard Carter Neuroth (22) glides in and scores during the Lynx 64-31 win over Hampton-Dumont Friday night. DFJ photo/Tracy Runneberg
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WEBSTER CITY -- The role of a scorer is a new one for Dylan Steen, but the Webster City senior seems to be adjusting nicely.
Steen erupted for 10 first-quarter points and was just getting started, as he poured in a game- and career-high 23 to help propel the Lynx to a much-needed easy victory, 64-31, over North Central Conference rival Hampton-Dumont Friday night inside the WCHS gymnasium.
Steen connected on 10 of 12 field goals, including a pair of 3-pointers. His barrage in the opening period was part of a 23-5 outburst that put the Lynx in command for good.
"Dylan is in a different role than he was in last year, but he's fitting in well," WCHS head coach Marty McKinney said. "We're going to ask him to score more and he took advantage of what Hampton was giving us with all of the attention they gave to Henry (Hoversten)."
Hampton-Dumont (0-5, 0-4 HOIC) didn't exactly contain Hoversten though. The 6-foot-6 senior center put together a double-double with 18 points and 16 rebounds, one off his career-high of 17.
"Dylan and Henry played a nice high-low game together," McKinney said.
WCHS (2-3 2-1 NCC) led 33-20 at the intermission, but 12 first-half turnovers prevented it from putting the Bulldogs away early. The Lynx were better after the break and outscored Hampton-Dumont 17-5 in the third.
"The start of the game was key and then once we took care of the turnover problem we were OK," McKinney said. "The kids responded well in the second half."
Tyler Olson gave WCHS a third double-digit scorer with 10 points and the sophomore point guard also collected three steals. Nathan Ferrell and Drake Doering added five points each.
Tavis Eklund, who has been the Lynx best long distance shooter during the early portion of the season, played the role of distributor. The sophomore didn't score, but instead handed out eight assists.
Hampton-Dumont received 10 points from Dustin Miller and eight from Wyatt Sutter. McKinney says the Bulldogs are better than their winless record indicates.
"Hampton is close to being competitive," he said. "They were up 17 on Clarion in the third quarter and up at halftime on St. Edmond, and they really play hard."
WCHS will attempt to head into the Christmas break on a two-game winning streak Tuesday night when it travels to Clarion to face Clarion-Goldfield-Dows.
Webster City 64, Ham-Dumont 31
Friday at Webster City
Hampton-Dumont (0-5, 0-4 NCC) -- Malyk Schunk 0 0-0 0, Cade Klein 1 0-1 2, Matt Waddingham 1 3-4 5, Alex Thompson 0 0-0 0, Dustin Miller 4 1-2 10, Riley Flint 0 2-2 2, Elijah Horton 1 0-1 2, Wyatt Sutter 4 0-0 8, Drew Uhlenhopp 0 0-2 0, Carson Miller 0 1-2 1, Kian Gibson 0 0-0 0, Mason Johnson 0 1-1 1. Totals: 11 8-15 31.
Webster City (2-3, 2-1 NCC) -- Dylan Steen 10 1-1 23, Drake Doering 2 0-0 5, Nathan Ferrell 2 1-3 5, Tavis Eklund 0 0-0 0, Tyler Olson 4 2-2 10, Carter Neuroth 1 0-2 2, Elijah Killian 0 1-2 1, Lincoln LaSourd 0 0-0 0, Jack Van Diest 0 0-0 0, Henry Hoversten 6 6-10 18. Totals: 25 11-20 64.
Ham-Dumont 11 9 5 6 -- 31
Webster City 23 10 17 14 -- 64
3-point field goals -- H-D 1 (D. Miller); WC 3 (Steen 2, Doering). Rebounds -- WC 33 (Hoversten 16). Steals -- WC 9 (Olson 3, Steen 3). Assists -- WC 17 (Eklund 8). Turnovers -- WC 16. Team fouls -- H-D 16, WC 12. Fouled out -- none.