HUMBOLDT — Coaching high school basketball can be a paradox, David Taylor admits. THE LADY CUBS went 0 for 14 from 3-point range and were a frigid 11 of 48 from the field. CREST’S BOYS fell behind Erie, 17-11, after one quarter, but kept pace the rest of the way. The Red Devils led 33-27 at halftime and 45-41 after three quarters. HUMBOLDT’S junior varsity teams prevailed in their tournament games. The Humboldt boys defeated Uniontown, 56-14. Corey Whitcomb scored 14 in the victory.
There are games like their season-opener, where Humboldt High’s Cubs fought valiantly but came up just short in a loss to Eureka.
Then, there are games like Tuesday’s home tilt against Uniontown.
“We won, and I was happy we won, but I wasn’t happy with the way we played,” Taylor said after the Cubs toppled Uniontown 61-52 in the first round of Humboldt’s preseason tournament. “I know I had a little harder time sleeping last night than I did Friday.
“But we won,” he said. “I guess it’s better to feel bad after a win than to feel happy after a loss.”
In girls’ action, Uniontown took advantage of the Lady Cubs’ cold shooting in a 42-30 victory.
Both Humboldt squads return to the court Thursday evening to take on Crest in tournament play. Home games against Erie follow on Friday.
Meanwhile, Crest opened the tournament against Erie on Tuesday. The Lady Lancers dropped a 57-24 decision to the Red Devils. Crest’s boys were within four points down the stretch, but fell, 57-49.
The Cubs pulled ahead of Uniontown by two after the first quarter, 16-14, and slowly built on its lead, even though Uniontown did some damage with its transition game.
“Uniontown played pretty well, and our transition defense was not very good,” Taylor said.
Humboldt led 34-29 at halftime and 47-40 after three periods.
“I was happy with how Hunter Murrow really asserted himself in the second half,” Taylor said.
Murrow led the Cubs with 14 points and five rebounds.
Caleb D’Armond followed with 12 points and four rebounds. Markiz Pulliam added 11 points.
Jacob Carpenter, Kason Siemens and Justin Meins each had two assists. Caleb Vanatta and Siemens had two steals apiece.
“We had the ability to win that game if we made anything,” Lady Cub head coach Sherri Nelson said. “We couldn’t get any of our shots to fall. We will go through games like these, where even though you do things correctly, it just isn’t your night.”
Lakota Wilson led Humboldt with 13 points and five steals, followed by Kayle Riebel with five. Anna Whitcomb chipped in with four points, while Morgan Morris, Delaney Umholtz, Makaylah McCall and Cheyenne English all had two.
Umholtz and McCall both had two steals. Morris also had five rebounds, followed by Riebel and Whitcomb with four apiece.
“We had to foul, and they hit their free throws,” Lancer head coach Travis Hermreck said.
Brock Ellis, Evan Godderz and Austin Green each scored 11 to pace Crest. Hunter Frazell followed with eight. Ellis also racked up 10 rebounds. Godderz dished out three assists.
Emmalee Seabolt’s eight points paced the Lady Lancers in defeat. She was followed by Emily Frank with six points, Laurel Godderz with four and Madison Covey, Karlee Hammond and Miranda Golden with two each.
The Lady Cubs won, 36-15. No other statistics were available.
Cubs hold off Uniontown
