Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn avenged an earlier loss to Harris-Lake Park by defeating the Wolves 53-34 February 1 at Hartley. The Hawks left little doubt as to the outcome, leading wire-to-wire.
HMS head coach Naet Hoaglund stressed that defense was the priority, saying, “We were in great position. We moved our feet and challenged every shot. We were active with ball pressure and in the passing lanes resulting in nine steals, Kooper (Ebel) having five of them.” The Wolves turned the ball over 13 times compared to six for HMS.
The Hawks got 24 points from Lance Berends, 12 from Ebel, six from Mason Brinkman, four from Jordan Ortega, three from Wyatt Borden and two from both Travis Kamradt and Keevyn Jacobsma. Collecting assists were Ebel with four and Brinkman and Kamradt with three apiece. “Offensively, it was an emphasis to attack their 1-3-1 zone by moving the ball and driving gaps and I thought we did a nice job of that,” noted Hoaglund.
Harris-Lake Park was limited to 23 percent shooting with 11 baskets in 48 attempts. Meanwhile the Hawks were successful on 21 of their 46 field goal tries to approach 46 percent. From behind the three-point line HMS was 3-of-19 and the Wolves 1-of-7. HLP sank 11 of 25 free throws with the Hawks going 8-for-18 at the stripe.
Hitting the boards were Berends with 16 rebounds, Ebel with seven Ortega with five and Jacobsma with four. Berends blocked three shots.
HLP 4 7 8 15 – 34
HMS 9 14 15 15 – 53