Cats pick up L&C Tourney hardware

Wins over Ponca (52-45) and a loss to Homer (45-35) moved the Hartington-Newcastle boys basketball team to 5-13 overall and enough to claim the runner up position of the lower division bracket at the Lewis and Clark Conference tournament last week.

It was just what the Wildcats needed as the team has struggled with consistency and the season has wound down toward the sub-district tournament.

They finished the tournament at 2-1 overall, which also included a first-round win over Wausa (56-54 in overtime).

“The games all hinged on our ability to gather rebounds, limit our turnovers, and our ability to capitalize on what the defense gave us,” HNHS head coach Nick Haselhorst said. “Against Ponca, we played tremendous defense and outrebounded them by 14. Offensively, we were patiently aggressive and did a great job of moving with purpose, making the extra pass, and finishing our shots in the paint.”

Kobe Heitman scored 18 points to lead the Wildcats over Wausa while Isaac Bruning and Jake Peitz contributed 14 and 12 respectively.

To beat Ponca, the Wildcats got 14 points from Peitz and 13 points and eight rebounds from Bennet Sievers. Heitman had 11 rebounds.

“Against Homer we needed to limit our turnovers and finish our shots in the paint at a higher percentage,” Haselhorst said. “Homer did a nice job ofblocking and affecting our shots in the paint and we didn’t shoot well from the perimeter or the free throw line. It was a great back-and-forth game, but we didn’t quite have the efficiency, passing, and movement offensively to counteract Homer’s disruption defensively.”

Homer used a 13-6 fourth quarter to pull away in agame it trailed 17-16 at the halftime. Peitz’s 11-point effort paced the Wildcats attack.

The Wildcats host Wynot Friday and then head to Plainview Monday.

“We will need to match and exceed Wynot’s energy and determination,” Haselhorst said. “Wynot plays with a relentless style of pressure defensively so we will need to handle their pressure, limit our turnovers, and take advantage of our opportunities in the paint.”

Haselhorst is pleased with the overall growth of the kids ofhis roster.

“Players have accepted and settled into their roles and know what is expected of them going into each game,” he said. “Bennet has really come on and become a consistent force for us on both ends of the floor. Lane Heimes has certainly improved throughout the year. Kobe has been extremely disruptive defensively and consistently leads us in rebounds. Jake is a tough match up for defenses as he can score inside and then step outside and hit shots and take defenders off the dribble.”

Sievers has continued to battle a hip flexor injury that has nagged at him for two months.

“He has been toughing it out for the betterment of the team each practice and game,” Haselhorst said. “He has grown about six inches in the past year and has developed into a nice two-way player for us. His added length has been beneficial for rebounding and defense, but he still has all of his guard skills to use for his offensive game.”

Sievers says the recent performances have helped build the morale.

“Those wins feel pretty good and have definitely boosted us,” he said. “I feel we definitely needed the Ponca win since we hadn’t beaten them in eight years. It just seemed like we really played together and trusted each other. On the offensive end, we didn’t try to force anything and just tried to let it come.

“Defensively, we trusted that people on the help side could guard their players. It seems like we are a little more confident now.”

SCORING HNS - Jake Peitz, 14; Benett Sievers, 13; Isaac Bruning, 9; Seth Pinkelman, 9; Kobe Heitman, 6; Riley Sudbeck, 1. -

REBOUNDS HNS - Kobe Heitman, 11; Benett Sievers, 8; Jake Peitz, 7; Isaac Bruning, 3; Seth Pinkelman, 2; Turner Dendinger, 1; Riley Sudbeck, 1.

ASSISTS HNS - Isaac Bruning, 3; Seth Pinkelman, 3; Benett Sievers, 2; Kobe Heitman, 1; Turner Dendinger, 1.

STEALS HNS - Riley Sudbeck, 2; Isaac Bruning, 1; Lane Heimes, 1; Kobe Heitman, 1; Jake Peitz, 1.

SCORING HNS - Jake Peitz, 11; Benett Sievers, 8; Kobe Heitman, 6; Seth Pinkelman, 5; Isaac Bruning, 3; Riley Sudbeck, 2. -

REBOUNDS HNS - Kobe Heitman, 13; Benett Sievers, 8; Jake Peitz, 6; Riley Sudbeck, 5; Seth Pinkelman, 2; Isaac Bruning, 1; Turner Dendinger, 1.

ASSISTS HNS - Benett Sievers, 3; Isaac Bruning, 2; Kobe Heitman, 2; Jake Peitz, 2; Lane Heimes, 1.

STEALS HNS - Kobe Heitman, 4; Seth Pinkelman, 2; Isaac Bruning, 1.

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