HUMBOLDT — Humboldt High’s Cubs were unable to escape from an early hole Friday.
The Cubs trailed 21-8 after one period against visiting Cherryvale. And while mounting a furious comeback down the stretch, Humboldt came up just shy, falling 60-56, to drop to 5-3 on the season.
“I’m disappointed with the loss, but I’m not disappointed with the effort,” head coach David Taylor said. “We played hard. Turnovers were a bugaboo for us. We had way too many turnovers, and we missed way too many bunnies early, which cost us.”
The Cubs sliced into the lead later in the first half, closing to 29-21 at the break.
The Chargers kept the Cubs at arms length through the third period, 42-32, but Humboldt erupted for 24 points in the fourth quarter.
“The kids played hard and gave themselves a chance,” Taylor said. “There were several times through the course of the game where they could have laid down and just let it go by the wayside, but they fought back, and gave themselves an opportunity.”
Trey Sommer continued his midseason surge with a 23-point, nine-rebound effort. He was 7 of 12 from the field and 9 of 9 from the free-throw line.
Drew Wlhite was next with 14 points, followed by Levi McGowen with 10. Wilhite, McGowen, Sommer and Gavin Page each had three steals.
The Cubs shot a cool 34 percent from the field, and committed 31 turnovers.
“It’s a work in progress,” Taylor said. “We’ll keep getting better.”
In girls action, Humboldt won an overtime thriller, 44-38.
Additional details from the game were unavailable.
Next up for the Cubs is a truncated midseason tournament, starting Tuesday, Humboldt will travel to Marmaton Valley to take on the Wildcats. The Cubs then will host a game Thursday against St. Paul, and wrap up the week Friday at Iola against the Mustangs.
Cherryvale (21-8-13-18—60)
Humboldt (8-13-11-24—56) (FG/3pt): Slocum 0-0-3-0, Wilhite 5/1-1-2-14, Page 0-4-4-4, Barnett 1/1-0-1-5, McGowen 4-2-4-10, Sommer 7-9-3-23. TOTALS: 17/2-16-17-56.
