DES MOINES — The most successful season in Woodward-Granger boys basketball history ended in a fashion wholly uncharacteristic of how the team played throughout the season, as 2019 state runner-up and No. 1 seed Boyden-Hull overwhelmed the Hawks, 56-27, in the Class 2A quarterfinals Monday.
W-G finished the season 22-3, the most wins ever by a Hawk boys team, and were appearing in their first state tournament game since a quarterfinal loss to Iowa City Regina in 1986.
B-H also moved to 22-3 and, aside from an early 3-2 deficit thanks to a Pacey Moats 3-pointer, led the entire contest.
Almost everything that could go sideways for the Hawks did, as a dynamic Comet defense held W-G to only 8-of-32 shooting on two-pointers and 2-of-16 on 3-pointers for a total on 10-of-48 (20.8 percent) from the floor. W-G entered the game second in 2A at 53 percent shooting.
The Comets fared poorly from deep as well, sinking just 3-of-15 treys, but converted 18-of-29 inside the arc to finish 21-of-44 (47.7 percent) from the floor. Many were put-backs as 13 offensive rebounds led to numerous second-chance points for the top-seed.
B-H had a height advantage at every position, and while in most cases that difference was never more than three inches, it — and an energetic effort — resulted in a whopping 46-17 rebounding edge in favor of the Comets.
The Hawks struggled to find open shots throughout the game and were consistently denied entry passes into the low post. They faced an 18-7 deficit after one quarter and then went from 5:11 remaining in the second quarter until midway through the third before scoring from the floor.
The Comets were held to just nine second quarter points, but with the Hawks scoring only four W-G was on the wrong side of a 27-11 halftime score. Their deficit swelled to 45-20 as the third quarter waned, and the Hawks were never able to close the gap.
Nick Buch led W-G with eight points, with Bryce Achenbach and Keith Braunschweig limited to just four points apiece. Moats and Reese Jamison had three points each, with Kaya Bowlsby and Alex Bice each providing two points.
Buch had a team-best seven rebounds, with Jamison clearing four boards while Bowlsby had three steals and Achenbach three blocks.
The 26 points were the lowest output for the Hawks since a 63-23 loss to host Panorama Dec. 12, 2015.
Keyton Moser led B-H with 17 points while collecting 14 rebounds. Andrew Frick had 11 points and Tanner Te Slaa 10 points and eight caroms. Marcus Kelderman tallied nine points, Josh Heitritter seven and Spencer Te Slaa three.
Seniors Achenbach, Bice, Bowlsby, Braunschweig, Buch, Jamison, Moats, Jack Grell and Matt Hansen all had their prep careers end in the setback.
The 2020 seniors were freshmen when the varsity finished 9-13, but the team rose to 15-10 in 2018 and 16-5 last season for a four-year mark of 62-31 (.667).
W-G is coached by Brent Achenbach, who is in his seventh season.
