HUMBOLDT — Before each game, Humboldt High’s David Taylor writes a list of areas he’d like to see his players improve upon when they take the court.
It could be as simple as setting crisp screens on offense, quickly closing out on the perimeter while on defense, or fighting through picks.
Each player then must make a commitment to address at least two offensive and defensive tasks for the night.
“It’s really helped them focus on things they need to do better,” Taylor said.
With many more performances like Tuesday, Humboldt’s “to-do” list may start getting pretty short.
Humboldt blitzed visiting Marmaton Valley from the opening tip, jumping to a 26-5 lead after one quarter and cruising from there in a 63-20 victory.
The win improves Humboldt to 4-1 on the season; Marmaton Valley falls to 0-3.
The Cub defense set the tone early.
“One goal of ours is to make sure the other teams get one shot and out,” Taylor said. “With the exception of maybe three times all night, we did that. We were able to get out in transition, and we played very unselfishly.”
Cub forwards Colton Slocum and Trey Sommer were particularly effective at moving the ball through the interior.
“They really got some things going beneath the basket,” Taylor said. “I was glad to see that. And we pressured the ball at times and got some turnovers.”
“We talked about what they were gonna try to do, and how their teams play,” Marmaton Valley head coach Gavin Cole said. “But none of that matters if you don’t put in the effort. Tonight, our effort wasn’t good enough.”
“Last week, even though we came out on the losing end, we came out with a lot more intensity than we had tonight. With a team like this that gets out and runs the floor, it makes it tough.”
The Wildcats were able to slow Humboldt’s transition game in the second quarter, but an 18-4 Cub run spanning the third quarter quickly returned momentum to the Cubs.
Sommer scored 16 points, nine in the third quarter alone, to lead the way. Slocum added 12, all in the first half, to go with five rebounds and two blocks. The Cubs substituted liberally throughout, and Taylor had his starters on the bench for good by the time the fourth quarter started.
Sam Hull pulled down a team-high eight rebounds. Levi McGowen had five steals and six assists. Blake Ellis and Drew Wilhite each had three steals. Wilhite also had a pair of blocks.
