Same team different night. After a home loss to MMCRU three days earlier, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn traveled to Marcus January 23 to once again face the Royals. It turned out to be another loss to MMCRU, this time by the score of 76-39.
“Kind of an unusual circumstance getting to play the same team in back-to-back games but with weather and postponements, that’s how things shake out,” observed Hawk head coach Naet Hoaglund. “We were just grateful for another opportunity to take the court and compete. I thought we struggled more than we did in our first game with them against their pressure and give MMCRU credit, they were able to capitalize and take advantage of our turnovers more efficiently than our previous meeting. We competed hard in that first quarter. We had the opportunity for a last shot to go into the quarter break down only 4-6 points. With some growing pains we took that shot a little too early and they were able to score and found ourselves down eight instead.  That was a huge momentum boost for them and kind of took the wind out of our sails. They went on a nice run to end the first half. MMCRU was really efficient in the second half and moved the ball well against our zone. We were a little slow in our rotations and struggled to get out on (Kyler) Bork who knocked down multiple second half threes. We have to be situationally aware of where shooters are and not allow catch and shoot threes and continue to work harder on our positioning and closeouts.”
George Vargas led HMS with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Isaac Schierholz scored nine points, Lawton Schiphoff six, Zac Pearson five, Grant Kunzman four, Kolby Douma three and Bradley Van Beek two. Schiphoff notched four assists and Douma three. Schiphoff and Schierholz each made two steals and Jayden Leth blocked a shot.
Bork finished with 25 points to pace the Royals.
The Hawks were 16-of-36 from the floor for 44 percent. They made six of 17 three-point shots and one of two free throws. HMS was guilty of 18 turnovers.
HMS 8 9 10 12 – 39
MMCRU 14 27 21 14 – 76