While the Western Christian High School boys' basketball team doesn't like to lose, a couple of early-season losses did the Wolfpack some good.
At least Landon De Stigter thinks so.
"After those two losses early on, we've really put things back together," De Stigter said. "And those (losses) definitely motivated us to be better. We've practiced harder since then and that's made a difference."
And despite a spirited late effort to work back into the game, Western Christian held off Sioux City North on Friday night, 69-57, in a non-conference contest at North High.
Despite its two losses, the defending Class 2A state champions sit atop the 2A rankings as the first official set was released this past week by the IHSAA.
"(Coming off the state title), we're more hungry this season, because we've been there," said De Stigter.
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Western had six players score eight points or more.
"That's what we always go for, spread the ball around and let everyone contribute," De Stigter said.
De Stigter, a 6-foot-4 junior, finished with 18 points, of which all came in the first half as he went into halftime shooting 7 of 14 from the field and 4 of 7 from 3-point territory as Western Christian (8-2) led North 48-23 at halftime.
"We didn't execute very well in the first half," said North head coach Trevor Alfredson. "It was more of what Western did than anything we were doing."
Western freshman Tayden Moret finished with a dozen points, and seniors Karsten Moret and Kaden VanRegenmorter, both of whom made last season's 2A all-state tournament team, each had nine points.
"I had my 3s fall early on and that always gets me going," De Stigter said. "Then I was able to get some layups in transition and got a dunk in there."
For North (4-5), junior Kal Chamerlain went for a game-high 21 points. Senior Dominic Foster also reached double figures as he went for 10 points and six rebounds.
Despite Western holding a 61-34 lead after three quarters of play, the Stars received quality minutes from several reserves and the Wolfpack lead nearly dwindled to single digits late in the contest.
"It was nice to see some execution in the second half, especially on the defensive end," said Alfredson. "We switched things up in the second half which helped some, it got us some turnovers that allowed us to score some points in transition which we really needed.
"But Western is just a phenomenal team. I told the guys, I'd be surprised if they don't win state again this season. You can't guard just one guy on their team, and you have to guard them all the same because they can all shoot, they can all handle the ball and move away from the ball."
North sophomore Ty Walker hit a pair of 3s in the fourth as part of an effort that saw North shoot 9 of 15 from the floor for the frame.
Chamberlain missed his first two shot attempts, but then the lefty made six of his next seven attempts to go into halftime with 14 points.
After the intermission, the Wolfpack's third quarter included making half of their 14 shot attempts as a team to put Western up 65-37 at the end of the third.
"(Western) just plays so well and fundamentally sound that it forces you to pick it up on your end," Alfredson said. "It was nice to see some different guys get in and hit some shots for us against a team of that calibur."
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