Winnebago pulls away to down Wildcats

HARTINGTON - Mired in a five-game losing streak heading into the Lewis and Clark Tournament, the Hartington Newcastle boys basketball team may see this event as a chance for a reboot.

The team opened up the tournament Monday night in Ponca against Wausa and will head back there Thursday against an opponent yet to be determined.

“We need to be consistent and show progress,” HNHS head coach Nick Haselhorst said. “I’m hopeful our kids learned something about themselves and their teammates that we can build on and carry with us throughout the remainder of the season. The formula is always the same for us to be victorious, we need great intensity, court awareness, and we’ve got to outrebound our opponent.”

The Wildcats (3-12) headed into the tournament following a 74-66 defeat against Winnebago at home last week.

Jake Peitz (17 points), Kobe Heitman (15 points) and Riley Sudbeck and Isaac Bruning (11 points apiece) led the Wildcats in the defeat, keyed by a 25-17 third quarter edge by the Wildcat guests.

“We needed to play with confidence and have a collective purpose and determination, which we had,” Haselhorst said. “We wanted to outrebound Winnebago and we did by four. It was a great back-and-forth game, the stats between us and Winnebago were similar in all categories except for free throws.”

Winnebago shot 20-of-21 from the free throw line compared to the Wildcats 4-of-11.

“In the end, they were too much to overcome but I was proud of our kids resolve and determination from start to finish,” Haselhorst said.

Heitman said that he believes the Wildcats can still right the ship before season’s end.

“I have faith we can still have a good season,” he said. “As one of the two seniors on this team, I love these guys to death, and I am making the best of this season. With all of this pandemic stuff going on, I am just having fun with the kids.”

The sub-districts are creeping closer and Haselhorst be-Neves that his Wildcats will be prepared.

“We are ready for subs,” he said. “Our schedule has been a bear. Our record is ugly and presents us a poor team, but we are better than our record suggests. When we play the right way, we are able to play with anybody. We have yet to put a complete 32-minute game together and that remains the objective.”

Heitman received news that he has been selected to play in the Nebraska 8-man football Sertoma All-Star Game on June 19 at Hastings College.

He will represent the East team and is the third consecutive Wildcat to represent the school at the contest.

“Kobe is a competitive and hard-working kid,” Haselhorst said. “He plays with outstanding energy on the defensive end. He leads our team in deflections, steals, and rebounds. He is strong and understands the game which bodes well for him and he is a great asset for our team.”

That all doesn’t hurt Heitman as a football player either.

“It’s a great feeling that I get to put on the pads again and get to play with these other 47 seniors who got selected,” Heitman said. “I can’t wait to put the pads on and go out and play again. I am looking to play college and have been talking to colleges about it.

“I am still looking. I hope this helps: Only time can tell. I was shocked because I was surprised, I got it. My family was happy and proud of me that I got selected. Being able to go out and play this, is a great feeling.”

SCORING

Hartington-Newcastle - Jake Peitz, 17; Kobe Heitman, 15; Isaac Bruning, 11; Riley Sudbeck, 11; Bennett Sievers, 8; Seth Pinkelman, 4.

REBOUNDS

HNS - Kobe Heitman, 9; Riley Sudbeck, 9; Bennett Sievers, 5; Jake Peitz, 3; Seth Pinkelman, 3; Lane Heimes, 1.

ASSISTS

HNS - Jake Peitz, 7; Isaac Bruning, 4; Seth Pinkelman, 3; Riley Sudbeck, 3; Lane Heimes, 1; Turner Dendinger, 1.

STEALS HNS - Isaac Bruning, 3; Seth Pinkelman, 2; Lane Heimes, 2; Kobe Heitman, 1; Jake Peitz, 1; Turner Dendinger, 1.

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