HUMBOLDT — The Humboldt High boys got behind their front court scoring and a hard defensive effort to beat Erie on Friday night, 50-40.
The Cubs (4-0) began the matchup with momentum on their side and outscored the Red Devils in the first quarter, 16-5. Colden Cook led the first quarter attack as he swished a three-pointer, put up a layup and made a couple of free throws for seven early points.
“We shot the ball well, probably around 50%,” said Humboldt head coach David Taylor. “That was key. We got off to a really good start, got out in transition, got some easy buckets and set the tone.”
Humboldt’s defense held Erie to only five points in the opening quarter on a three from Eli Montee and a two-pointer off the fingers of Gavin Reissig.
Sam Hull continued the Humboldt scoring surge in the second quarter when he banked in some two-pointers and a couple of free throws. Blake Ellis and Cook also went for layups to extend the Cubs’ lead over the Devils at halftime to 26-13.
The Cubs allowed Erie back into the game in the second half but never let their lead dip below 10 points. Humboldt’s defense surrendered six points to Ethan Dillinger and a three to Logan Ewan in the third quarter.
Hull went underneath for another trio of two-pointers while Ellis hit a two and a free throw to give Humboldt a 36-25 advantage heading to the fourth quarter.
“I think the key is that the group as a whole is playing unselfishly,” Taylor said. “Sam doesn’t score 17 points if there isn’t someone there to pass him the ball. Most of the stuff we do in our offense is somebody else helping another person score. Between the three of them (Sommer, Hull and Cook) they’re really unselfish.”
Humboldt got most of its fourth quarter scoring from Trey Sommer who banked in three two-pointers and Cook who put in a pair of two-pointers.
For Erie, Dillinger scored eight points in the fourth and Reid Duff hit four free throws.
The black and orange forced 16 turnovers and combined for 26 rebounds in the win. Hull led the way on the boards with 10 rebounds, followed by Cook’s eight rebounds and Sommer’s five boards.
Sommer led the pack defensively after forcing four turnovers and snatching a steal and a block as well. Asher Hart was also solid defensively when he forced six turnovers and one steal. Ellis also nabbed a turnover and made two steals and one block.
“Anyone would be happy to be 4-0 and get off to a good start but the kids need to understand that we need to keep building because it’s going to be tough to get out of our substate if we don’t keep improving,” said Taylor. “It’s early and I’m happy with where we are.”
Offensively, Hull led the way after hitting seven-of-11 shots from the floor while Sommer hit four-of-seven shots from the floor and Cook hit six-of-12 shots on the hardwood. Hull led with 17 points, followed by Cook’s 14 points and Sommer’s 10 points.
Humboldt tips off at Marmaton Valley on Tuesday night.
