HUMBOLDT— It took a comeback but Humboldt High’s Cubs managed to squeak out a 50-45 Tri-Valley League win here Tuesday against Neodesha High’s Blue Streaks.
A night that ended well didn’t start out that way. A slow start had the Cubs down early in the opening period.
“We spotted them nine points in the first quarter,” said David Taylor, head coach of the Cubs. “We didn’t come out with much energy, intensity or focus.”
Down 17-8 to start the second period, the Cubs began their comeback with some help off the bench.
“Caleb Vanatta came in and provided a spark for us. He only had three points but it wasn’t his three points that were big for us, it was his energy,” Taylor said. “We had been playing kind of lethargic.”
Humboldt turned the table in the second, outscoring the Bluestreaks 15-9. Still, Neodesha took a 26-23 lead into the locker room at half.
The Cubs continued their scoring barrage and took the lead early in the third period. The Cubs had a 39-35 lead heading into the final period, and they didn’t let it go.
Noah Thornbrugh, Trey Johnson and Blake Crawford scored 13 points each. Thornbrugh grabbed 18 rebounds
The Bluestreaks were led by J.J. Bair with 17 points. Dathian Hawkins added 13 points.
Humboldt (8-15-16-11—50): Vanatta 0/1-0-1-3, McNutt 0-1-4-1, Whitcomb 1-1-0-3, Murrow 1-2-0-4, Crawford 5-3-1-13, Johnson 1/3-2-1-13, Thornbrugh 6-1-3-13. TOTALS: 14/4-10-10-50.
Neodesha (17-9-9-10—45) (FG/3-pt): Bair 5/2-1-4-17, Hawkins 2/3-0-0-13, Osterbuhr 0/1-2-5-5, Railsback 1-0-2-2, Groth 2-0-0-4, Kitch 1-0-1-2, Johnson 1-0-3-2. TOTALS: 12/6-3-15-45.
