Thunder season ends in Class 2 districts

By Phil Cobb | February 20, 2024 |

TUCKER KLAMM/THE FORUM
Nodaway Valley senior Michael Cook handles the ball on Tuesday against East Atchison in Albany.

ALBANY, Mo. — It’s not often that teams face off against each other three times a year. After winning both prior games by double digits, the Nodaway Valley Thunder dropped their district quarterfinal game 64-43 against the East Atchison Wolves.

Senior guard Kayden Conn started the game off getting face-guarded on offense. East Atchison made it known from the tip that they were going to make someone else beat them.

“They did that to me in the last couple of games that we played them,” Conn said. “So I knew coming in that it was probably going to happen. But I just trusted my other teammates to make layups and hit their shots.”

Nodaway Valley started hot and benefited from Conn being face-guarded. Without the help defense, sophomore Tyler Gray scored six of the first eight points for the Thunder.

East Atchison stayed neck-and-neck with Nodaway Valley, matching every basket with one of their own. Nodaway Valley senior Michael Cook broke it open with an and-one right-handed layup.

With Conn being out several weeks with an ankle injury, other Nodaway Valley players had to step up in the time he was gone. It showed with the scoring coming from all over the team.

“I think him being out kinda helped our other teammates develop their game,” Cook said.

Conn matched Cook’s and-one with a basket of his own, getting himself going. An inbound pass off the back of a defender resulted in a layup, giving Nodaway Valley the momentum and a lead of 17-8 at the end of the first quarter.

After another bucket from Gray, East Atchison started on a run. Senior Collin Hedlund led the way. With dangerous drives and a pull-up three, he brought the Wolves to within one.

Junior Preston Jenkins and Conn each scored a basket to increase the Thunder lead. This was quickly matched with an East Atchison 3-pointer. Another Conn mid-range jumper gave Nodaway Valley the lead right back, 25-24, with four minutes to go in the half.

Another 3-ball from East Atchison and a 14-point quarter from Hedlund put the Wolves up 33-25 at the half.

After the run to end the first half, the Wolves tacked on more in the third quarter. Three-pointers from four separate East Atchison players combined with a press led to a deadly third quarter. It ended with the Thunder trailing 50-33.

Freshman Tye Hoyt hit a three to start the fourth quarter, giving Nodaway Valley life. But it was too little too late, ending in a final score of 64-43.

The Thunder finished with a group effort on offense. Gray finished with 12 points, Conn with 10, Jenkins with eight, Cook with five, Hoyt with the lone 3-pointer, and junior Lane Larabee with two.

“I had a strong bond with these guys this year,” Cook said. “I know that I’m leaving them in good hands, and they’re going to have good leaders next year.”

Conn reflected on his time as a Thunder basketball player.

“It means a lot, basketball has always been my thing,” Conn said. “Ending like that sucks, but it happens to everybody. Everyone has a senior year, and everyone has a last game.”