By RICHARD LUKEN
richard@iolaregister.com
HUTCHINSON — Sure, those high-flying offenses are fun to watch — and Humboldt High has a few players capable of lighting up the scoreboard — but defenses win championships.
The Cubs have figured that out, too, and it has them one step closer to a state title.
Humboldt kept alive its magical, undefeated season with a stifling defense, thwarting repeated Salina-Sacred Heart scoring chances down the stretch to secure a come-from-behind, 41-37 win..
Humboldt’s win in the opening round of the Class 3A state tournament puts the Cubs into the state semifinals.
The Cubs (24-0) will tip off against Silver Lake at 8:15 tonight at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. Silver Lake had to sweat some as well Thursday, grabbing the early lead, then hanging on down the stretch in a 52-50 win over Beloit.
In the other semifinal matchup, two-time defending state champion Scott City takes on Nemaha Valley.
The winners of the two semifinal games will square off at 6:15 p.m. Saturday in the state championship game.
As has become the norm, Humboldt’s win wasn’t assured until the final buzzer sounded
Humboldt prevailed allowed only a single field goal in the last 5 minutes of the game, although that basket was a doozy.
The Cubs had just made up a five-point deficit to tie the score at 34-34, and rebounded a Knight miss to gain possession midway through the fourth quarter
But Sacred Heart’s Austin Palen managed a steal and layup to give the Knights a 36-34 edge.
Blake Crawford’s offensive rebound and putback for the Cubs tied the score with 3:23 left. Then Humboldt forced another Sacred Heart miss with 2 1/2 minutes remaining.
Noah Thornbrugh stepped up with a tie-breaking jumper from just inside the 3-point line at the 1:30 mark.
