YODER – The Southeast High School Cyclones found themselves back on track with a big 51-37 win against non-conference opponent Burns at home on February 1, followed by a huge 49-13 road victory against conference rival Rock River on February 3.

A coordinated, sustained Southeast offense set the rhythm in the first half against the Burns Broncs, establishing a commanding 33-17 advantage at halftime. The Cyclones withstood an attempt by Burns to turn the tables in the third quarter and went on to top the Broncs in scoring, 14-12, in the fourth quarter.

On Saturday, a fast and furious Cyclones’ offense scored 27 points against the Rock River Longhorns in the first eight minutes of regulation while an airtight Southeast defense completely shut out Rock River from scoring.

Southeast never looked back and dominated the next three quarters. The Cyclones’ second string stepped up in the second half to contribute points and defensive plays to Southeast’s victory.

Southeast’s win against Rock River maintained the Cyclones in the top spot for the 1A Southeast Quadrant with an undefeated 4-0 conference record.

“It was good to get out of the slump and get a couple of wins this week,” head coach Craig Leithead said. “We played together as a team and started pushing the pace a little more.”

Burns

Southeast controlled the scoreboard in the first quarter, topping Burns in scoring, 13-6. Junior Ayden Desmond led the Cyclones’ offense with six points while senior Cole Sauer and sophomore T.J. Moats both tossed in a close-range shot. Junior Kannon Tippetts netted an outside shot.

Leaving it all on the court in an explosive second quarter, the Cyclones outmaneuvered Burns, 20-11. Desmond, Moats and sophomore Beaux Shimic each tallied six points in the second quarter.

The Broncs rallied in the third quarter to net eight points and hold Southeast to four. Moats and junior Ayden Desmond kept the Cyclones on the scoreboard.

Southeast responded in a neck-and-neck fourth quarter to top the Broncs in scoring, 14-12. Desmond netted another six points and Moats made a layup and converted an and-1.

Desmond went double-double against Burns with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Moats totaled 15 points and nine rebounds. Tippetts contributed seven points and Beaux Shimic six.

Rock River

The Cyclones overwhelmed the Longhorns in the first quarter to post a 27-0 advantage.

Beaux Shimic set the pace for Southeast with nine points in the first quarter. Desmond netted eight with four apiece from Tippetts and Moats and a jumper by sophomore Chase Sauer. 

Tippetts, Desmond, Beaux Shimic, Moats, Cole Sauer and Ayden Shimic each rustled multiple steals. 

The Cyclones maintained their momentum in the second quarter to outscore Rock River, 17-4, and secure a 44-4 advantage at halftime. Moats tallied another nine points in the second quarter with Cole Sauer scoring five and Tippetts three. Defensive pressure by Cole Sauer, Tippetts, Moats and Ayden Shimic resulted in turnovers and Moats blocked an attempted shot by the Longhorns.

With the running clock in effect at the beginning of the second half, Southeast entered its second string into the fray. Chase Sauer and freshman Talon Tippetts netted points for Southeast while sophomore Spencer Booth and junior Drew Boche each snagged steals.

Moats led Southeast in scoring against Rock River with 13 points while Beaux Shimic tallied 11 and Desmond eight.