By Jeff Webster
ThePerryNews.com Sports
SAYDEL — Perry turned a 12-point halftime advantage into a 23-point bulge after three periods en route to a 72-49 win over Saydel in non-conference play Tuesday.
The Bluejays cap their regular season at 16-5 overall after finishing as solo champions of the Raccoon River Conference with an 11-3 mark while Saydel will enter the postseason 9-12 after an 8-8 trip through the HOIAC.
It was clear from the opening minutes of play that the Eagles simply could not match the speed and tempo of the visibly more athletic Jays.
The hosts had two brief leads in the first quarter, but trailed 19-15 after eight minutes. Fifteen first-half points from Shammond Ivory, nine from Blake Lansing and nine — on a trio of 3-point bombs — from Ryan Rathje allowed Perry to open a 42-30 margin at the break.
Perry launched a 10-0 run to begin the second half, keeping Saydel scoreless until Clayton Sommers hit a layup almost three minutes into the frame.
The teams played an even fourth quarter, but by then the damage had long been done and the Jays glided to victory.
Ivory led all scorers with 25 points, with Lansing adding 13 and Rathje 12. Scott James had six points and Will Whiton four, with Zach Roberts and Nic Wilhelmi scoring three points apiece while Jack Brosnahan, Kyle Nevitt and Janier Puente each added baskets.
Kole Walker led Saydel with 13 points, with Sommers providing eight points.
Perry will play Boone Monday at Gilbert in the Class 3A playoffs. Tip time is 6:30 p.m., with Ballard and Gilbert to face off in the second game. The two winners will meet Feb. 26 at Ames at 7 p.m. in the Region 13 Final.
