When the Lynx needed a basket, Neuroth was there. When they needed a defensive stop or a steal, Neuroth was there.

Not bad, young man. Not bad at all.

Neuroth turned his first career start into a career performance, as he registered 19 points, six rebounds and five steals to help propel the Lynx to a season-opening 53-43 victory over non-conference foe Pocahontas Area. Neuroth scored seven first-quarter points, had 11 by the half and finished 4 for 5 from behind the arc.

“He definitely played well in his first start,” WCHS head coach Marty McKinney said of Neuroth. “I’ve had the opportunity to watch and coach him for a long time and despite his size, he’s one of our best defenders and rebounders, and he’s just a pest defensively. At the offensive end he does a nice job of breaking down the defense and then he knocked down some big 3s for us.”

WCHS junior Ty McKinney buries a jumper from just outside the lane over Pocahontas Area’s Lucas Kopriva (20) during the first half Tuesday night in Pocahontas. The Lynx walked away with a 53-43 win. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

Ty McKinney, a returning starter and junior point guard, joined Neuroth in double figures with 14 points to go along with three assists. McKinney scored 10 points in the second half and was particularly out front during a third-quarter spurt that saw WCHS build a double-digit lead.

Jaime Grossoehme pitched in seven points, and returning starter Jamin Stuhr finished with six points and 11 rebounds in the paint. Stuhr was a fixture on the glass, as he collected five of the Lynx 15 offensive rebounds.

It wasn’t a particularly pretty performance on the offensive end, but Marty McKinney says his inexperienced group is still learning to play together.

“Offensively we’re still finding our way a little bit,” he said. “Execution wise, we got better as the game went on. In the first half we handled their press pretty easily, but we were pretty passive. Once we started attacking it, we got some open looks.”

What was encouraging was the 32 minutes of intensity at the defensive end. Sticking with a man-to-man scheme throughout, WCHS made it difficult for Pocahontas Area (0-1) to get into any kind of rhythm. Only Gavin Ehn had any success, as he poured in a team-high 17 points for the Indians, but no other Pocahontas Area player finished with more than six points.

WCHS junior Jamin Stuhr scores on an alley-oop early in the third quarter against Pocahontas Area on Tuesday. He finished with six points and 11 rebounds in the Lynx victory. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

Holding opponents to under 50 points is always going to be McKinney’s goal.

“We know that’s our best chance to win this year,” he said. “We want to pressure the ball and get guys uncomfortable. I don’t know that we were in great position all of the time, but for the first game we did well.”

A 7-0 WCHS run midway through the third quarter put the Indians back on their heels. Back-to-back short jumpers by Ty McKinney and Grossoehme were followed by a Neuroth triple to extend the lead to 29-19 at the 4:10 mark. A traditional 3-point play on a drive to the basket by Devon Stoakes later in the period made it an 11-point game.

And the Lynx continued to pour it on during the early stages of the fourth period.

Neuroth canned a 3 from the corner to increase the lead to 13 with 6:40 to go, and McKinney rained in a 3 from the same spot a little over two minutes later to give WCHS its biggest lead of 14, 48-34.

WCHS head coach Marty McKinney (right) talks to junior Jaime Grossoehme (3) during a break in play Tuesday night in Pocahontas. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

WCHS shot 44 percent overall (21 of 48) and outscored Pocahontas Area 18-0 from behind the arc.

The Lynx will be off until next Tuesday when they will head out on the road once again for another non-conference clash against 2021 state qualifier (Class 2A) South Central Calhoun.

Webster City 53, Pocahontas Area 43

Tuesday at Pocahontas

Webster City (1-0) — Jaime Grossoehme 3 0-0 7, Jayce Neuroth 7 1-3 19, Devon Stoakes 1 1-1 3, Ty McKinney 5 3-4 14, Isaac Haule 0 0-0 0, Briar Klaver 2 0-1 4, Jamin Stuhr 3 0-3 6, Beau Klaver 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21 5-12 53.

DFJ photo/Troy Banning

Pocahontas Area (0-1) — Chase Cook 2 0-0 4, Cavin Henrickson 2 0-0 4, Caleb Freeburg 0 4-4 4, Joseph Ricke 0 0-0 0, Jacob Gerdes 0 1-4 1, Chase Boysen 3 0-0 6, Lucas Kopriva 1 1-1 3, Brett Johnson 2 0-0 4, Gavin Ehn 8 1-2 17. Totals: 18 7-11 43.

Web City 12 8 18 15 — 53

Poch. Area 8 8 12 15 — 43

3-point field goals — WC 6 (Neuroth 4, Grossoehme, McKinney). Rebounds — WC 33 (Stuhr 11, Neuroth 6). Steals — WC 8 (Neuroth 5). Assists — WC 9 (McKinney 3). Turnovers — WC 12. Team fouls — WC 2, PA 19. Fouled out — none.