HUMBOLDT — It was a quick transition from tip-off to the final buzzer Tuesday night. An upstart Humboldt High boys basketball team took the court by storm to a 67-35 win over Jayhawk-Linn in the first round of their home 3A substate bracket. Humboldt 67, Jayhawk-Linn 35
“We really got out in transition well, especially in the first half,” coach David Taylor said. “There were several times we got out in transition and the ball never touched the floor. That’s what I like to see.”
Kason Siemens shined in the first half, especially the first quarter. He scored nine of his 21 points in the first. He gave the Cubs a 7-2 lead with 5:15 left in the first after hitting a 3-pointer. He made it 8-4 after a free throw more than a minute later.
“He really played well tonight,” Taylor said. “He was really focused and in tune to what we were trying to do offensively and defensively. I’m really happy he’s playing well. We’ve got some balanced scoring though. Anytime you get that, its always a positive.”
Jayhawk-Linn’s only notable highlight of the game came when Brayden Miller hit a 3-pointer to pull the Jayhawks to within one point, at 8-7 in favor of Humboldt with 4:45 left.
That’s when the Cubs really got the ball rolling. They outscored the Jayhawks 17-1 the rest of the quarter to lead 25-8.
Justin Meins had a steal that led to an uncontested layup to give Humboldt a 13-7 lead. Jacob Carpenter followed with a rare jumper — most of Humboldt’s points came inside and in transition. Meins found Siemens with a half-court transition pass that led to an easy layup. Jacob Haviland scored on a layup after Siemens stole the ball on the inbound pass. Humboldt led 19-7 with 1:55 left in the quarter before hitting six free throws to get a 25-8 lead.
At halftime the Cubs pushed the lead to 42-18. Humboldt led by 20 points or more the rest of the game.
The third quarter was owned by Markiz Pulliam. He scored all nine of his points in the quarter, including seven straight at one point. Ethan Bartlett also had a good quarter, finishing with four. He scored all four on putback baskets to start the half. Humboldt led 60-33 after the third.
The fourth quarter went by quickly, thanks to the running clock. Haviland gave Humboldt the needed 30-point lead on a drive to the basket to give the Cubs a 64-34 lead.
As well as the team played offensively, the Cubs were just as good on the defensive end of the court. The team forced 11 steals and only had eight turnovers.
“We kind of hang our hat on that. I’d like to see us rebound a little better, but I thought that we defended really well,” Taylor said. “The boys were prepared. You could tell that they had paid attention at the three days of practice that we had. They knew exactly what was happening and what to do on defense.”
On the boards, Humboldt didn’t have anyone in double figures and grabbed 25 rebounds as a team. Pulliam and Meins each had seven. Humboldt did pass the ball well, recording 13 assists — Meins and Siemens each had four.
At this point in the season, every win is valuable because it keeps the season from ending.
“We have a motto at this time of the year, ‘Win the last one and everything kind of takes care of itself,” Taylor said. “If you win the last one, you’re either going to be first or third.”
Humboldt will play Eureka on Friday at 7:30 p.m. This will be the third meeting between the schools this season. In the first game of the season on Dec. 5, Eureka edged the Cubs 73-72. On Feb. 3, Eureka won 51-42. Humboldt has the advantage at getting the third — and most important game — at home.
“I’m looking forward to that, which is a positive aspect,” Taylor said. “They’ve got a solid ball club and they’re well coached. They’ve got some good ball players, you’ve just got to get to that game to have a chance.”
Humboldt (25-17-18-7—67) (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Vanatta 1-2-0-4, Carpenter 4-0-4-8, Pulliam 3-3-3-9, Haviland 3-1-1-7, Bartlett 2-3-3-7, Isaac 0-0-1-0, Meins 3-5-2-11, Siemens 5/2-5-1-21, Smith 0-0-3-0
Jayhawk-Linn (8-10-15-2—35) (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Leach 0-1-3-1, Walters 0-1-3-1, Mark 4-3-2-11, Gray 3-1-4-7, Coleman 1-0-0-2, McGrew 1-0-2-2, Miller 2/1-4-4-11, Nation 0-0-1-0, Lankford 0-0-1-0
Cubs cruise to 67-35 win over Jayhawk-Linn
