FINGER ROLL — Martin County West’s Hunter Schmidt finger rolls the basketball between Jackson County Central’s Aiven Farmer (15), Thomas Sether (30) and Weston Rowe during non-league action Monday night in Trimont. (Photo by Greg Abel)

TRIMONT — The Martin County West Mavericks fell to 0-2 overall following an 81-48 loss in a nonconference bout to the Jackson County Central Huskies on Monday night.

Mavericks’ junior big man Jacob Wilmes had a nice game, putting up 18 points on 5 for 11 shooting from the field and 8 for 10 shooting from the charity stripe. Wilmes also was an integral part of the Mavericks’ defense with three boards and three steals before fouling out in the second half.

The player of the game, however, was his matchup — Huskies sophomore center Weston Rowe. Rowe ended his night with a blistering 29 points on 12 of 16 shooting from the field and 3 of 5 shooting from deep. Doing his best Nikola Jokic impersonation along the way as he picked apart the Mavericks 2-3 zone.

Rowe did more than just score for the Huskies as he also added five rebounds and four assists for JCC. His efficient scoring and bruising style of play took a toll on the Mavericks.

“You know I think Weston is going to draw a lot of attention, that’s the nice thing about playing against a zone is that you can’t focus so much on him and he was able to come out and get some good looks,” Huskies head coach Alex Hein said. “I thought we just didn’t take good enough care in the first half and in the second half we did a much better job.

“Weston did surprise me in how he finally broke out a little bit there, I had told him I was mad at him for not doing it in the first half, but it was nice to see us execute.”

Rowe’s partner in crime was junior forward Aiven Farmer, who did most of his work in the paint. Farmer finished with 16 points to go with six rebounds.

Even though the Huskies gained and kept control in the latter portion of the game, early foul trouble kept them from getting a real rhythm in the first half.

Huskies’ junior guard Grant Freking came out aggressive in the first quarter but nabbed two quick fouls and a spot on the bench. He didn’t allow it to get to him though as when given more time on the hardwood in the second half. He gave the Huskies eight points, four boards and three assists.

Jackson County Central travels to Estherville, Iowa, to face Estherville/Lincoln Central at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Martin County West will look to get its first win of the season at 7 p.m. tonight in Trimont against Nicollet.

JCC 34 47– 81

MCW 20 28– 48

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North Union 67, Estherville-Lincoln Central 57 — Kody Irmiter topped a balanced attack by scoring 20 points and grabbing eight rebounds to fuel the Warriors’ 10-point win over the Midgets during non-league action Monday night in Estherville, Iowa.

Dan Fothergill neared rare triple-double territory by netting 12 points, grabbed eight boards and doled out a game-best seven assists for North Union.

Grady Madden and Aiden Lofstrom each contributed 10 points to the Warriors’ winning effort, Preston Guerdet supplied seven points and four assists, while Kyan Jones doled out seven assists and added six points.

North Union (3-0) travels to Forest City tonight for a nonconference game.

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Martin County West 46, Mankato Loyola 26 — Four in a row.

Liv Borchardt generated a game-best 14 points on 6-for-7 field-goal shooting to power the Mavericks to a 20-point Valley Conference victory over the Crusaders on Monday night in Mankato.

Borchardt also pulled down seven boards, distributed three assists and pocketed three steals.

Ella Carlson neared double-double territory by scoring eight points to go with hauling in a game-best 10 rebounds for MCW. Carlson also doled out a game-best five assists and topped all defenders with four steals.

Emily Anderson also approached double-double territory by netting nine points and nine rebounds to complement pocketing three steals for the Mavericks, while teammate Courtney Anderson chipped in nine points.

Martin County West (4-0) plays host to Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial tonight in Sherburn.

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Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial 63, Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman/Martin Luther 41 — Katelin Flack tossed in a game-best 22 points to propel the Knights to a 22-point Valley Conference victory over the Jaguars on Monday night in Lake Crystal.

Olivia Mattson produced 10 points and seven rebounds to top the Jaguars’ effort, while teammate McKenna Benck contributed nine points and four boards.

Brianna Petrowiak supplied six points and five rebounds for the Jaguars, Madisen Lewis grabbed five caroms and doled out four assists, while Londyn Bowers chipped in five rebounds.

The Jaguars (1-2) play host to Blue Earth Area tonight in Truman in a non-league contest, while LCWM (3-0) travels to Sherburn tonight to face Martin County West.

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Estherville-Lincoln Central 68, North Union 31 — Rylee Yager poured in a game-best 22 points to steer the Iowa Class 3A No. 6-ranked Midgets to a 68-31 triumph over the Warriors during non-league action Monday night in Estherville, Iowa.

Haylee Stokes contributed 14 points to ELC’s winning ways, while Cara Schiltz tossed in eight points.

ELC built a 34-18 halftime lead before outscoring North Union 27-4 during the third quarter.

Naomi Jones netted 12 points to top the Warriors, while teammate Olivia Merrill collected four points and grabbed seven rebounds.

Libby Stevens chipped in four points and four rebounds for North Union, while Shallie Walders garnered three steals.

North Union (2-1) travels to Class 3A No. 9-ranked Forest City tonight.