HUMBOLDT — Humboldt High’s boys turned on the jets after halftime, turning a comfortable working margin into a romp. NELSON SAID the Lady Cubs “finally had the showing that I thought they could. We just missed a handful of close shots we needed to make.”
The Cubs led 26-20 at the break. An 18-8 run pushed the Cubs in front 44-28 en route to a 57-36 win over Uniontown High.
The win comes in the opening round of Humboldt’s preseason tournament and sets up a highly anticipated early-season showdown Thursday against Crest.
Humboldt’s girls weren’t as successful, dropping a 38-35 decision to the Lady Eagles, but leaving head coach Sherri Nelson optimistic regarding her team’s future.
Humboldt boys coach David Taylor said his team started slugglishly despite holding the early lead.
“We were sloppy,” he said, “almost like we had tired legs today.”
Humboldt committed 27 turnovers in the contest.
Humboldt led 16-11 after one quarter. Uniontown kept pace before the Cubs hit high gear after halftime.
Tanner McNutt led the way with 14 points, three steals, three assists and two blocks. Hunter Murrow scored 12 points, while Nathan Whitcomb had eight points and three steals. Noah Thornbrugh pulled down seven rebounds. Robbie Sellman also had three steals. Calab D’Armond and Trey Johnson chipped in with three assists apiece.
Johnson played in his first game of the season shortly after being sidelined with a preseason thumb injury.
“Trey really played well for us,” Taylor said.
Brenton Esslinger scored 13 and Skyler Riley 10 to lead Uniontown.
Foul trouble plagued Humboldt toward the end, with a few key turnovers, Nelson said.
“We executed great and played good defense,” Nelson said. “We are definitely on the right track. I couldn’t be more proud of the progress we have made so far.”
Sheri Middleton led the Lady Cubs with eight points, six rebounds, four blocks and a steal. Morgan Morris also had eight points with four rebounds. Lakota Wilson dropped in four points with three steals. Brea Kline had five points and seven rebounds. Kayle Riebel scored three points, Aubrey Maxton had two points and Delaney Umholtz scored a point.
The Lady Cubs take on Crest at about 7 p.m. Thursday in tournament play.
Boys
Uniontown (11-9-8-8—36)
Humboldt (16-10-18-13—57)
Uniontown (FT/3pt-FT-F-TP): Gleason 0-0-1-0, Riley 2/2-0-0-10, Jo. Duffy 2-0-2-4, Wiley 0-0-1-0, Miller 2-3-2-7, Ja. Duffy 1-0-3-2, Esslinger 3/2-1-1-13. TOTALS: 10/4-4-10-36.
Humboldt (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Vanatta 0-0-1-0, McNutt 3/2-2-4-14, H. Murrow 4/1-1-0-12, A. Murrow 1-0-0-2, Whitcomb 4-0-0-8, Crawford 1-1-2-3, Sellman 1-0-0-2, D’Armond 0/1-0-0-3, Thornbrugh 3-0-2-6, Johnson 2/1-0-2-7. TOTALS: 19/5-4-11-57.
Cub boys victorious
