Senior Allis Tahahwah skies for a jump-shot in the first quarter of the boys varsity game. Number five ranked Meskwaki defeated Vally Lutheran 61-48. Chronicle Photo/Drake Cherveny

With six games in the books the Meskwaki boys basketball team finds themselves in a familiar position. Like last year, the Warriors stand at a record of (6-0) heading into the non-conference match-up with the Valley Lutheran Crusaders (2-4). Despite a back and forth first quarter, Meskwaki put the game on cruise control for the latter three quarters en route to a comfortable 61-48 victory.

Starters for the Warriors were as follows: Jonas Bear, Terrell Grant, Allis Tahahwah, Tate Bear, and Jarius Bear.

The Crusaders responded with a lineup of: David Stone, Blake Carlson, Jamil Culp, Trey Berger, and Eber White.

The Crusaders came out with the mind-set of an upset following the opening tip. The teams’ talented back-court of Stone, Carlson, and Culp was arguably the best Meskwaki has faced up to this point. In fact, the duo of Stone and Carlson provided 12 of Valley Lutheran’s 14 first quarter points. The Warriors responded in the form of Jarius Bear. Bear, who came into the game averaging (16.3 ppg), blasted multiple deep jumpers in the first, forcing the Crusaders to play tighter up top. Jarius Bear’s 14 first quarter points helped lift Meskwaki to a 26-14 advantage after one with the help of a 6-0 run.

The Meskwaki scoring barrage continued into the second as six Warriors found the scoring column with Tahahwah leading the way with four points. The Crusaders were absolutely stymied offensively as Meskwaki’s suffocating defense led to easy lay-ups the other way. A couple Jamil Culp three’s kept the Crusaders hanging around heading into halftime with the Warriors out front 41-24.

Knowing Valley Lutheran’s lack of depth and trust in their own bench, Meskwaki played their reserves most of the second half. Seniors Francisco Lasley-Santos and Kade Brown contributed a combined nine points while sophomore Sterling Tyon chipped in a couple three pointers. In the end, the score was rather deceiving as the Warriors saw an opportunity to rest their starters for about half the game and took advantage of it.

The win continues Meskwaki’s perfect season at (7-0). The team will face what looks like another tune-up game right before Christmas break when they hit the road to face a win-less Clarksville Indians squad (0-7) at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 22nd. Until then, the scoring leaders for this game were as follows: Jarius Bear (20), Tate Bear (10), Tahahwah (8), Grant (6), Tyon (6), Lasley-Santos (5), Brown (4), and Jonas Bear (2).

12/20/15 Iowa Star-South Boys Conference Standings

1. Meskwaki (7-0)

2. Colo-Nesco (7-1)

3. Waterloo Christian (4-4)

4. Don Bosco (3-4)

5. GMG (2-4)

6. North Tama (2-6)