It didn’t take long for Kristian Welch to make an impact on the Iola-Scandinavia boys’ basketball team.
The freshman forward scored a game-high 19 points Nov. 13 in the Thunderbirds’ 49-45 nonconference win at Port Edwards in the season opener for both teams.
Nine of Welch’s points came on three team-high three-pointers.
The T-Birds trailed 15-14 after one quarter, but outscored the Blackhawks 10-7 in the second quarter and 19-10 in the third quarters.
Port Edwards had a 13-6 advantage over the final eight minutes.
Connor Lodewegen added 11 points for I-S, while Chris Montag led Port Edwards with 13.
The T-Birds will host Wild Rose at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16.