But a lot can change in that amount of time. And for the Lynx, it’s all been for the better.

With a dedication to defense that wasn’t necessarily present when WCHS beat CGD 69-64 back on Dec. 18, McKinney’s bunch showed just how far its come last night in a 67-33 beating of the Cowboys.

The North Central Conference contest was over after one quarter. WCHS (10-6, 7-3 NCC) rushed out to a 21-7 lead, and added another 21 points in the second period to extend the cushion to 42-16.

CGD (3-15, 1-11 NCC) managed just 20 points through three quarters.

Webster City senior Dylan Steen (back) applies pressure defense during the third quarter against CGD last night. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

“That’s kind of the transformation,” McKinney said when asked about his team’s defense. “Each game we’ve gotten better and the kids know what we have to do. We have to defend to win.”

The ball-hawking mentality, coupled with a staggering 66 percent shooting from the field (25 of 38), made for an easy night. Dylan Steen, a senior guard, popped off for 14 of his 15 points in the first half and Carter Neuroth, a junior point guard, joined him with 15.

At times, the Lynx were unconscious from long range and finished with 10 3-pointers. They drained 63 percent of their attempts (10 of 16).

The success rate was impressive, but McKinney was happier with his team’s 17 assists. Neuroth (five) and Steen (three) combined for eight.

“We knocked down shots, but the good thing was we shared the ball,” McKinney said. “We had a lot of extra passes that turned good looks into great looks. When you do those things and play unselfish, you’re going to shoot a high percentage.”

DFJ photo/Troy Banning

Henry Hoversten gave WCHS a third double-digit scorer with 10 points and the senior center grabbed seven rebounds. Tavis Eklund splashed in three triples for nine points, while Tyler Olson added eight points and six boards.

Webster City 67, CGD 33

Thursday at Webster City

CGD (3-15, 1-11 NCC) — Alec Martin 0 0-0 0, Blake Jackson 2 0-0 5, Dalton Nesheim 0 0-0 0, Christian Gaytan 1 0-0 2, Cody Olson 0 0-0 0, Clinton Miller 1 0-0 3, Caleb Kruger 0 0-0 0, Jaxson Carpenter 1 0-0 2, Nate Rapp 0 0-0 0, Connor State 4 4-4 12, Noah Roosa 0 0-0 0, Jaace Weidemann 3 0-0 7, Kaden Bricker 1 0-0 2, Nick Turner 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13 4-4 33.

Webster City (10-6, 7-3 NCC) — Dylan Steen 6 1-2 15, Drake Doering 2 0-0 6, Nathan Ferrell 1 2-4 4, Tavis Eklund 3 0-0 9, Tyler Olson 4 0-0 8, Carter Neuroth 4 4-5 15, Elijah Killian 0 0-0 0, Lincoln LaSourd 0 0-0 0, Jack Van Diest 0 0-0 0, Henry Hoversten 5 0-0 10, Trey Lyons 0 0-0 0. Totals: 25 7-11 67.

CGD 7 9 4 13 — 33

Webster City 21 21 18 7 — 67

3-point field goals — CGD 3 (Jackson, Miller, Weidemann); WC 10 (Eklund 3, Neuroth 3, Steen 2, Doering 2). Rebounds — WC 21 (Hoversten 7, Olson 6). Steals — WC 12 (Ferrell 3). Assists — WC 17 (Neuroth 5, Steen 3). Turnovers — WC 14. Team fouls — CGD 10, WC 8. Fouled out — none.