A-P boys complete undefeated Central run

PARKERSBURG – Gavin Thomas scored 27 points to lead Aplington-Parkersburg boys basketball to a 83-51 victory over Dike-New Hartford in Parkersburg on Friday, completing an undefeated run for the Falcons in the NICL Central for the second-consecutive season.

The Falcons improved to 18-1 overall and are ranked third in Class 2A in this week’s rankings from the Iowa High School Athletic Association. A-P has not lost a division game since a Feb. 2, 2021 loss to D-NH in NICL East action, a string of 18 consecutive division victories.

Thomas was 11-of-15 from the floor, including 5-of-8 from three-point range on a night where the Falcons made 11-of-22 attempts from beyond the three-point line. Garrett Hempen added 22 points and Will Hodges had 16 points with five steals.

A-P led 42-20 at halftime.

Benton Bixby led D-NH with 12 points and Devon Lotts added 11 points. Colin Meester scored nine points with eight assists and Braxten Johnson scored eight points with seven rebounds. The Wolverines dropped to 9-10 overall and finished 3-5 in the NICL Central to tie for third in the five-team division.

The Wolverines traveled to Gladbrook-Reinbeck on Tuesday and wrap up the regular season at South Hardin on Thursday. The postseason begins next Monday, Feb. 13 at Dike against Belmond-Klemme (2-18).

A-P welcomed undefeated 1A #1 Grand View Christian on Tuesday and heads to Charles City on Friday for a non-NICL tune-up for the postseason, which begins at home next Thursday, Feb. 16 against either Durant or West Branch.