PLEASANTON — Humboldt High’s Cubs upended top-seeded Uniontown High’s Eagles in Thursday night’s semifinal action at the Pleasanton High Blu-Jays Mid-Season Tournament.
The Cubs rallied for a 49-43 win to move into today’s tournament championship game. Humboldt (7-3) plays Central Heights, which beat Prairie View Thursday.
Crest High’s Lancers shook off a disappointing first-round loss in overtime to Prairie View to dominate host Pleasanton Thursday night. The Lancers rolled to a 56-28 win in consolation action.
The Lancers (6-3) take on Jayhawk-Linn High’s Jayhawks (6-4) in today’s fifth-place game.
Uniontown (8-3) plays Prairie View in today’s third-place game.
In December at the Humboldt tournament, the Cubs beat the Eagles 56-26. Thursday night’s game was nothing like that contest.
“Uniontown played well and we got into early foul trouble,” said David Taylor, Humboldt head coach. “It was a good game by both teams.”
The Cubs jumped out to a 12-6 lead by the end of the first quarter. In the second eight minutes, the Eagles outscored the Cubs 13-6 for a 19-18 halftime lead.
Uniontown was able to maintain a lead with a 12-10 edge in the third quarter. Then the Cubs took over, outscoring the Eagles 21-12 down the stretch.
“Our kids did a lot of good things in the second half. It showed their resilience,” Taylor said.
Taylor pointed to hitting 6 of 9 free throws as a key in the fourth quarter. The Cubs were 10 of 19 from the line in the game and the Eagles were 9 of 11.
Tanner McNutt fired in 19 points to lead the Cubs. McNutt also handed out five assists. Noah Thornbrugh scored 15 points and cleared eight rebounds for Humboldt.
Blake Crawford added 13 points and two steals. Nathan Whitcomb had eight rebounds and Trey Johnson made two steals.
“Blake really gave us a lift in the second half. He played hard defense all night,” Taylor said.
The Cubs shot 43 percent, 18 of 42, from the field. They had a 29-15 edge in rebounds over the Eagles. Humboldt had 15 assists and 13 turnovers.
