CHEROKEE — The Cherokee Braves have found 2025 to be to their liking. Turn the turn of the New Year, the Barves sport a 12-3 won-loss record, having won three straight games, and seven-of-eight
Thursday’s Class 2A District 2 second round affair saw Cherokee hosting South Central Calhoun for the team’s first time ever in the Bound Era.
It was a statement-like victory for the Braves, downing the Titans, 73-36. With the win Cherokee improves to 7-3 in home games.
Takeaway
There was no denying the Braves who for the ninth time this season scored 70 or more points in a contest. When scoring 70 or more points, Cherokee own a unblemished 9-0 record.
Cherokee found its shooting touch early on. The Braves raced out to a 22-17 first quarter lead. Cherokee the remainder of the game continued to build on its lead over South Central Calhoun. At halftime, the lead had expanded to 16 points (36-20), and at the conclusion of the third quarter the lead was at 21 points (47-26).
Keys Statistics/Notables
Just three fouls were called against Cherokee. Cherokee committed only 10 turnovers, shot 52 percent (28-of-54) overall, and dominated South Central Calhoun on the glass 40-15.
Cherokee converted 14-of-18 fouls shots. In comparison, South Central Calhoun had only two attemptds the entire game and failed to comvert either attempt.
Two Cherokee players, Jaxon Paulsrud and Coy Lewis each finished with a double-double. Paulsrus led all scorers with 21 points, and just every inch of his 6-foot frame to grab a game-high 13 rebounds. Paulsrud also dished out six assists. Lewis poured in 17 points and brought down 12 rebounds. Lewis also added two steals and a blocked shot to his credits.
All 14 Braves dressed for the game saw action.
South Central Calhoun was led offensively by Cole Higgins with 12 points. Higgins made 5-of-9 shots from the floor, including a 2-of-4 effort beyond the 3-point arch. Higgins and Andrew Anderson each finished with four rebounds for the Titans.
Up Next
Cherokee (15-7) will move on to a Class 2A semifinal on Tuesday against third-ranked West Lyon (19-3). The game is set for a 7 p.m. tip at Sheldon High School.
South Central Calhoun 17 – 3 (20) – 6 (26) – 10 = 36
Cherokee 22 – 14 (36) – 21 (47) – 16 = 73
South Central Calhoun Record:Â 13-10;Â Cherokee Record: 15-7.
CHEROKEE
Jaxon Paulsrud 21, Landon Stowater 4, Coy Lewis 17, Logan Stowater 10, Jacob Hurd 13, Blake Lovell 5, Brock Kannegieter 0, Isaac Lam 0, Cameron Kohn 0, Caden Frederiksen 3, Collu MIzner-Funderman 0, Peyton Gunn, Kyle Waldner 0, Cooper Nixon 0. Totals: 28-54 14-18 73.
3-Point Field Goals (3-15) — Lo. Stowater 1, Hurd 1, Fredriksen 1. Rebounds Leader (40) — Paulsrud 13, Lewis 12. Assists Leader (12) — Paulsrud 6, Hurd 3. Steals Leader (16) — Hurd 8, Lewis 2, Lo. Stowater 2. Blocks Leader (1) — Lewis 1. Total Fouls (3). Fouled Out — none.
