A-P boys' top ranking testament to consistency

The Aplington-Parkersburg boys basketball team didn't become a top-ranked team overnight.

A-P head coach Aaron Thomas cited the consistent exceptional performances from Falcons over the years as a catalyst for the Falcons current number one ranking in the Class 2A Associated Press poll released this week.

The Falcons improved to 4-0 after a 96-31 victory over Waterloo Columbus on Dec. 7 and an 86-60 road win at Jesup on Dec. 10.

"It's a credit to our teams in years past that we're now considered this perennial team, a statewide power," Thomas said. "I think the way we've won and having all our returning players back from the team that reached the state semifinal has gotten some attention, and I don't think sportswriters are forgetting that."

Keep reading this article below thanks to support from this local supporter of Aplington-Parkersburg athletics!

A-P nearly gave the home crowd a treat by flirting with the century mark against the Sailors last Tuesday.

Jayden Mackie led a quintet of double-digit scorers with 19 points. Gavin Thomas added 18 points; Garrett Hempen, Christian Haugstad and Cooper Hoff all scored 11 points each. Haugstad added eight rebounds and four steals; Thomas had six assists and Hempen four.

A-P charged out to a 30-12 lead after the first quarter and led 61-24 at halftime.

"I know [Columbus] had a couple kids out, but I thought our intensity and focus from the word go, and the way we shot the basketball was phenomenal," Thomas said. "And to continue to play as hard as we did throughout was a great thing to see from our guys, a great reward from our competitive practices."

Last Friday, A-P matched up with the J-Hawks in Jesup, and the bout started much closer, with the Falcons carrying a 39-34 lead into the locker room at halftime.

"We turned it over more in the first half than we usually have," Thomas said. "Extremely uncharacteristic of us, but Jesup is a good basketball team."

A double-digit run to start the third quarter put the Falcons in the driver's seat, however, and A-P leveraged some Jesup foul trouble to push the advantage and lead 68-45 after three quarters.

Mackie racked up 29 points and Christian Haugstad contributed 22 points and 19 rebounds. Garrett Hempen also finished in double figures with 12 points and contributed eight assists to the offensive effort.

Thomas felt that Mackie and Haugstad felt the need to step up against the J-Hawks, led by last year's NICL East MVP, Carson Lienau.

"They had something to prove," Thomas said. "Christian really pursued the basketball, and what's funny is he told me afterwards, 'Coach, I should have gotten 30.' … He's never satisfied."

The school record for single-game rebounding is 22 in a game.

"His effort and his intensity and him just being healthy, his mindset's been great," Thomas said. "As for Mackie, he was able to get really hot and score the basketball in bunches, and he didn't even play much in the first half, but he went crazy in the third quarter."

While spirits are as high as the Falcons' AP ranking, Thomas is reminding his team of the destination.

"It's not about where we are right now, but where do we want to finish in March," Thomas said. "Anything that comes along the way before that is great, as long as it doesn't consume our thoughts, or make us complacent."

A-P's game against Union on Dec. 14 was postponed. The Falcons take on Hudson at home on Friday, and then will travel to Luther College in Decorah for a neutral-site game with Caledonia (Minnesota).

A-P 86, Jesup 60. A-P scoring: Jayden Mackie 29, Christian Haugstad 22, Garrett Hempen 12, Gavin Thomas 9, Sam Livingood 6, Cooper Hoff 3, Kale Riherd 2, Adam Schipper 2, Aidan Junker 1, Devin Davis 0, Tate Neymeyer 0, Nick Neuroth 0, Will Steege 0, Kael Schoneman 0, Kye Rottinghaus 0.

Stat leaders - Rebounds: Haugstad 19, Hoff 6, Riherd 4. Assists: Hempen 8, Hoff 3, Thomas, Riherd 2. Steals: Haugstad 2, three with 1. Blocks: Haugstad 1.

A-P 96, Columbus 31. A-P scoring: Jayden Mackie 19, Gavin Thomas 18, Garrett Hempen 11, Christian Haugstad 11, Cooper Hoff 11, Joe Johnson 5, Tate Neymeyer 4, Sam Livingood 4, Jack Eddy 4, Jacob Schuck 3, Aidan Junker 2, Kael Schoneman 2, Kye Rottinghaus 2, Kale Riherd 0, Devin Davis 0, Adam Schipper 0, Nick Neuroth 0.

Stat leaders - Rebounds: Haugstad 8, Mackie 5, Thomas, Riherd, Schipper 4. Assists: Thomas 6, Hempen, Hoff 4, three with 2. Steals: Haugstad 4, Junker 2, six with 1. Blocks: Haugstad 2.