The three-game road trip that tipped off the season for the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn basketball boys ended at Sioux Rapids. So did their two-game winning streak. Sioux Central got off to a fast start and showed a strong finishing kick in defeating the Hawks 67-49 on December 5. The Rebels outscored HMS 19-7 in the opening quarter and 18-9 in the final frame.
“We lost to a really good Sioux Central team,” remarked Hawk head coach Naet Hoaglund. “I thought we battled tough for the majority of the game. For most of the game, it was around a 10-point spread. A couple of times we cut it to six or so but we just couldn’t get enough stops and scores to overcome an early deficit and they put us away late. We struggled to get our transition game going because we weren’t able to get consistent stops on the defensive end. We gave up some costly offensive rebounds that resulted in second chance points that was a key in the final score. Offensively we struggled to find our rhythm and attack the paint.”
Both teams shot a similar percentage but the Rebels got off 15 more shots. They were 26-of 60 for 43 percent. HMS shot 21-of-45 for 47 percent. The Hawks made five three-point baskets and were just 2-of-9 at the foul line. Sioux Rapids sank seven treys and eight of nine free throws.
Lance Berends topped the Hawks in scoring with 24 points. Kooper Ebel added 12 points, Keevyn Jacobsma eight, Landen Elwood three and Travis Kamradt two. Kamradt had five assists and Ebel four. The Rebels’ Jacob Hargens did damage inside to the tune of a game-high 37 points.
The 25 HMS rebounds included 10 from Ebel, seven from Berends and three from both Trenton Vollink and Jacobsma. The four steals came from Ebel, Vollink, Berends and Ethan Diehm. Berends blocked two shots and Ebel one. Turnovers were few with the Hawks committing nine and the Rebels five.
“Overall I’m proud of how our kids battled and competed against a solid team,” said Hoaglund. “We’ll continue to work on the things we need to get better and give it our best shot the next time out.”
HMS 7 15 18 9 – 49
S. Central 19 12 18 18 – 67