PLEASANTON — Humboldt High boys’ head coach David Taylor was a bit concerned. The Cubs were about to take on a team in Northeast High that it had dispatched by 22 points earlier in the season.
Taylor’s concerns were that the Cubs would be a bit too lackadaisical on offense and defense, assuming they could coast to a win.
While the Cubs were able to prevail, defeating Northeast 57-41 in the first round of Pleasanton High’s Blu-Jay Mid-Season Classic — their play left Taylor a bit perturbed.
“We were a little careless and didn’t take care of the ball,” Taylor said. “I didn’t think we played that well.”
Tevin Strack scored 19 points, followed by Noah Thornbrugh with 18 and Tyler Gean with 10 to lead the way.
“I thought Tyler took nothing but great shots for us,” Taylor said.
And the Cubs did win by 16, after all, to improve to 6-2 on the season. Humboldt has already tripled its win total (2) from last season
“I’d much rather feel like this after a win than feel good about a loss,” Taylor said. “And I’m always happy for the guys when they win.”
Humboldt jumped to an early lead and increased their advantage throughout the contest.
The Cubs led 11-6 after one period and 27-17 by halftime. The lead grew to 15, 40-25, after three periods.
Austin Bogina scored 19 points — including five three-pointers — en route to a game-high 19 points for the Vikings.
“We didn’t do a good job of guarding him,” Taylor said. “We rotated guys to cover him.”
Humboldt advances in the tournament to take on Central Heights, a 61-41 winner over Pleasanton Tuesday, on Thursday. Humboldt, which was eighth and winless in the tournament a year ago, plays in the semifinal at 5:30 p.m. in the south gym.
Northeast (FG/3-pt): Bogina 1/5-2-3-19, Johnson 0-2-5-2, Claffey 3-0-2-6, McCloud 0-3-2-3, Rich 0-2-1-2, Leroy 1-2-4-4, Cleland 1-1-4-3, Hopejoy 1-0-4-2. TOTALS: 7/5-12-25-41.
Humboldt (11-16-13-17—57) (FG/3-pt): McCall 0-1-2-1, Strack 5/1-6-3-19, Johnson 1-0-4-2, Gean 5-0-3-10, Thornbrugh 7-4-4-18, Nickell 1-0-1-2, Coronado 2-1-3-5. TOTALS: 21/1-12-20-57.
Cubs win tourney opener
