Wildcats surprise LCC Bears
HARTINGTON — On paper, Laurel-Concord-Colereidge appeared to be the favorite in the semifinals of the C2-6 Sub-District Tournament held at the Monsignor Werner Activities Center in Hartington back on February 24.
Considering the Bears came into the game with an 18-6 record compared to the Wildcats’ 11-11 mark. Also consider LCC had defeated Hartington-Newcastle on its own court back in January in a regular season contest and the Bears being the favorite seems more than plausible. Unfortunately the game was
Unfortunately the game was played on a court and prognostications meant little as the Wildcats turned away Laurel-Concord-Coleridge 60-54 to end the Bears season at 18-7.
“I kind of felt this coming,” LCC coach Todd Erwin said. “When you play teams two or three times a season they figure out how to defend you - we needed more scoring from more than our top two guys and we didn’t get it.”
In basketball, experience works both ways.
“Everyone is sitting back in a 2-3 zone and wanting us to try to beat them from the outside,” Erwin said. “Haisch (Evan) can do what he can from out there, but he needs some help - the other teams feel they can collapse on Jake (Rath) and take him away.”
A disastrous third quarter spelled trouble for the Bears as the Wildcats outscored the Bears 22-11 and the teams headed to the final frame with Hartington-Newcastle up 50-34.
The Bears used a frantic fourth quarter to get back to within six but the hole was too deep.
“We had a lot of unforced turnovers in the game (16),” Erwin said. “When you’re not shooting well, that spells trouble - it’s actually not the best when you are shooting well.”
Erwin’s assessment earlier was dead on as Haisch led the Bears with 22 points, including five three-pointers.
Rath was right behind with 15 while Gibson Roberts added eight. Rath just missed a doubledouble with nine rebounds while Haisch got his hands on seven missed shots.
The Bears finished with a more than respectable 18-7 record, but Erwin is looking for more next season.
“We are going to miss our guys leaving, we lose five seniors,” Erwin said. “But we have some guys coming back and some guys coming up - there’s always next year.”
H-N 11 17 22 10 — 60
LCC 12 11 11 20 — 54
HARTINGTON-NEWCASTLE (12-11): Scoring: Reece Morten 2 0-0 4; Dayton Sudbeck 1 1-2 3; Jake Peitz 6 2-2 18; Bennet Sievers 6 6-8 21; Turner Dendinger 1 0-1 2; Seth Pinkelman 1 5-8 7; Riley Sudbeck 1 3-3 5.
Rebounds: Morten 1; D. Sudbeck 3; Peitz 5; Sievers 5; Dendinger 1; Se. Pinkelman 4; R. Sudbeck 6.
Assists: D. Sudbeck 2; J. Peitz 4; Sievers 1; Dendinger 1; Se. Pinkelman 4; R. Sudbeck 2.
Steals: Morten 1; D. Sudbeck 1; Sievers 1; Se. Pinkelman 5; R. Sudbeck 2.
LAUREL-CONCORD-COLERIDGE (18-7): Scoring: Grant Erwin 1 0-0 3; Wilton Roberts 2 0-0 4; Jake Rath 5 5-6 15; Evan Haisch 7 3-5 22; Carter Kvols 1 0-0 2; Gibson Roberts 3 1-2 8.
Rebounds: Erwin 1; W. Roberts 1; Rath 9; Lucas Rasmussen 4; Haisch 7; Kvols 3; G. Roberts 1.
Assists: Erwin 3; W. Roberts 1.
Steals: Erwin 3; W. Roberts 2; Rath 1; Rasmussen 1; Haisch 1; G. Roberts 1.
