Cubs too much for Chargers

HUMBOLDT — When asked about individuals that stood out in Tuesday night’s game against Cherryvale, all Humboldt head coach had to say was, “we don’t believe in that.”
Of course, there were standout players in Humboldt commanding a 53-38 win over the Cherryvale Chargers — Kason Siemens, Markiz Pulliam and Caleb Vanatta all scored in double digits — but it’s the “unselfish mentality” that has led the Humboldt Cubs to a 17-3 regular season.
A breath of fresh air was tough to come by for either team in the first half, there were three lead changes and the advantage never ventured further than a few points.
Siemens opened the contest with his customary trey for the Cubs, before the Chargers responded with two threes from Tristan Thornton. The score was even at 10 with two minutes remaining. Pulliam scored three on an and-one play and Hunter Murrow followed up on the following possession with a trey, giving the Cubs a 17-13 advantage going into the second.
The second quarter was a spitting image of the first. The Chargers bounced back from a deficit to even up the game before the Cubs pulled ahead going into the break, 31-23.
“We were a little slow at the start,” Taylor said. “I was a little disappointed with our rebounding.”
The tempo was anything but slow in the second half. The Chargers managed to hold the Cubs at bay for a time in the third, before Humboldt’s offense broke the game wide open.
Pulliam gave the Cubs their largest lead of the game, 42-29, with a bucket from the paint in the opening of the fourth quarter. Justin Meins scored on back-to-back possessions as well, putting Humboldt up by 15. Another trey from Siemens, and an inside score from Pulliam put the Chargers out of their misery.
“We just kept chipping away,” Taylor said of their performance, battling through a sluggish start until the true nature of the Cubs’ offense came into play.
Siemens led the Cubs with 12 points, followed by Vanatta and Pulliam with 11 each. Justin Meins had nine. Dakota Trout had 13 for the Chargers, the majority of which came from the paint.
The Cubs begin sub-state play on Monday, brackets will be released today. As for preparation, Taylor said they will keep on the same track they have all season — although, with a new mantra.
“Our new motto is, ‘win the last one,’” Taylor said with a smile.

Cherryvale 13-10-6-9—38
Humboldt 17-14-9-13—53
Cherryvale (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Robertson 1-0-1-2, John 1-2-0-4, Trim 0/1-0-3-3, Raida 1/1-0-0-5, Dyke 1-0-4-2, Thornton 0/2-0-3-6. Trout 6-1-2-13, Torkelson 0-0-2-0, D. Robertson 1-1-0-3. TOTALS: 11/4-4-15-38.
Humboldt (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Vanatta 4/1-0-2-11, Murrow 0/2-0-4-6, Carpenter 1-0-2-2, Sellman 1-0-2-2, Meins 3-3-3-9, Pulliam 5-1-3-11, Siemens 0/3-3-1-12. TOTALS: 14/6-7-16-53.