The Warriors (17-4) led from start to finish in a comprehensive 66-27 win over the Wolverines (5-17) in Class 1A District 11 play, bouncing back from a two-game losing streak at the end of the regular season.

A 37-11 halftime lead was the Warriors’ reward for a fast start, with Victor Balderas and Taurice Grant running the show and putting points on the board — they both had 12 at the break.

Meskwaki coach Garrett Bear said the team clicked from the jump and kept its foot on the gas.

“Just trying to get out, play our brand of basketball,” Bear said. “Our athleticism and kind of our skillset took over a little bit. It’s nice to get back on track.”

T-R PHOTO BY NOAH ROHLFING

On GMG’s side, it was a nightmare. The Wolverines were turning the ball over and failing to create good offensive looks, giving the Warriors more chances on the other end. Grant was in control, even with a couple of transition turnovers where the junior guard was trying to make a big play.

Wolverines coach Michael Plett said the team came out flat against a bad stylistic matchup in Meskwaki’s guard-centric attack.

“Their quickness bothers us,” Plett said. “I think we had nine turnovers in the first half, and you cannot turn the ball over against them — it’s a runout every time.”

Zach Krull had seven of the team’s 11 points in the first half.

The second half was more of the same with Balderas (14 points) and Grant (16 points) taking starring roles — but the Warriors had their secondary guys playing well, something Bear pinpointed as crucial in postseason play. Guard Evan Nelson came off the bench and scored 13 points, Tiernan Wanatee scored nine and Emmett Roberts and Larnell Bear scored six apiece. The Warriors hit just two 3-pointers, both coming from their big men — Wanatee and Balderas.

T-R PHOTO BY NOAH ROHLFING

Bear was happy with all of the contributions.

“Getting the secondary players involved is just as important as getting them [Grant and Balderas] involved,” Bear said. “Those two will always be there.”

GMG was led on offense by Krull with 10 points and Avery Bryant with five.

On defense, it was the Warriors’ relentless pressure that rattled GMG’s guards. Bear added that the pressure would be pulled back as Meskwaki progresses in the postseason, instead using it as a change-of-pace option to speed up the game or shift momentum if necessary.

While the Wolverines’ season comes to a close, Meskwaki will head to West Fork to play Grundy Center for the first time this season Tuesday night. The Spartans are 13-9 on the year and beat North Tama 69-40 before the Warriors tipped off.

Meskwaki 66, GMG 27

At Meskwaki

GMG (5-17) — Justin Savadty 2 0-0 4, Kooper Gill 0 0-0 0, Zach Krull 4 0-0 10, Adam Cox 2 2-2 6, Avery Bryant 2 0-0 5, Zach Burgess 0 0-0 0, Able Dieleman 0 0-0 0, Brayden Duden 0 0-0 0, Mykell Ratliff 0 0-0 0, Seth Burgess 0 2-2 2. TOTALS 10 4-4 27.

MESKWAKI (17-4) — Larnell Bear 3 0-0 6, Emmett Roberts 3 0-0 6, Taurice Grant 5 6-6 16, Victor Balderas 6 1-3 14, Tiernan Wanatee 3 2-3 9, Osceola Tyon 0 0-0 0, Dayvin Guevera 0 0-0 0, Evan Nelson 6 1-1 13, Donovan Slick-Driscoll 0 0-0 0, Desmond Kapayou 0 0-0 0, Reimundo Balderas 1 0-0 2. TOTALS 27 10-13 66.

GMG 7 4 8 8 — 27

MESKWAKI 22 15 19 10 — 66

3-Point Goals — GMG 3 (Krull 2, Bryant), Meskwaki 2 (Balderas, Wanatee). Total Fouls — GMG 9, Meskwaki 6.