Macklin Shanahan gets off a

Macklin Shanahan gets off a shot while being closely guarded by a Clear Creek-Amana defender to score two of his team-high 20 points Friday night inTiffin.   

 MSP photos by Buddy Atienza

TIFFIN — Maquoketa Cardinals boys basketball team got only one game in last week, traveling to Tiffin Friday night to take on the Clear Creek-Amana Clippers.

The Cards got off to a slow start, still trying to shake off the rust from missing all the days of practice and games due to near-record cold temperatures and multiple snowstorms. But Friday night the opposition also had a slow start as the Cardinals managed a 12-2 lead in the first quarter. 

Then the Cardinals put together a strong second quarter to take a 34-17 halftime lead. The Clippers cut into the lead, trailing by only six, but that is the closest they could get. The Cardinals regrouped to pull away for the 60-46 win. 

Macklin Shanahan sparked the offense, pouring in 20 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Kane Kopp also contributed 10 points. Caiden Atienza was one point shy of a double-double, adding nine points and grabbing 11 rebound.

The boys have only five games left to play as of press time Monday night. Beginning Friday, the Cards play four games in five days, playing Friday and Saturday, taking Sunday off for a day of rest, then right back to the court Monday at DeWitt. The Cardinal boys close the regular season at home Tuesday, Feb. 12, against Solon.

Maquoketa 60

Clear Creek-Amana 46

M (15-1)12221115 — 60

C (9-6)  2151316 — 46

Points — Macklin Shanahan 20; Kane Kopp 10; Caiden Atienza 9; Conner Becker 7; Abe Becker 5; Nathan Watters 4; Nicholas Ehlinger 3; Clayton Widel 2. Rebounds — Shanahan 12; Atienza 11; Kopp 5; A. Becker 3; Watters 3; Widel 2; Ehlinger 2; C. Becker 1 Assists — Shanahan 6; A. Becker 3; Kopp 2; Watters 2; C. Becker 1; Ehlinger 1. Steals — Kopp 2; Shanahan 1; Ehlinger 1; A. Becker 1. Blocks — Shanahan 1. FG — 19-60. FT — 15-23. 3PT — 7-22.