FREDONIA — Humboldt High’s boys have been flying high of late, rattling off seven wins in a row.
Perhaps a bit too high, their head coach surmised.
The Cubs won their seventh straight game on Tuesday, but had to sweat a bit down the stretch in a 57-50 victory over host Fredonia.
The Yellowjackets nearly came all the way back from a 12-point, second-half deficit — cutting Humboldt’s lead to three at one point — before the Cubs drained 4 of 5 free throws in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
Things were going quite well through the first three quarters as Humboldt forged ahead, 46-34.
“But we had four empty trips to start the fourth quarter, and they were all quick trips,” Humboldt head coach David Taylor said. “We got careless with the ball. But you have to give them credit. Fredonia played extremely hard. They battled back and hit some big shots.”
Humboldt spread the wealth on offense. Four players scored in double figures and five had at least eight. Justin Meins and Hunter Murrow had 12 points. Murrow chipped in with five rebounds and four steals, while Meins had three blocks. Markiz Pulliam followed with 10 points and six rebounds. Kason Siemens added 10 points and two drawn charges on defense. Caleb D’Armond added eight.
“I told the guys after the game that we need to have games like this in order to progress,” Taylor said. “Our free throws were key.”
The Cubs shot well from the field, scoring at a 54 percent clip in the first half to lead 30-24 at intermission. The Cubs also drained 12 of 13 free throws.
Isaac Ostrosky scored eight of his team-high 13 points to lead the Yellowjackets. Zach Moya added 10.
Humboldt (7-1 overall, 3-1 in Tri-Valley League play) travels to Cherryvale Friday.
Humboldt (14-16-16-11—57)
Fredonia (11-13-10-16—50)
Humboldt (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Vanatta 0/1-0-1-3, H. Murrow 5-2-0-12, Carpenter 0-0-2-0, A. Murrow 0-0-1-0, Sellman 1-0-0-2, D’Armond 3-2-0-8, Meins 5-2-2-12, Pulliam 4-2-2-10, Siemens 0/2-4-1-10. TOTALS: 18/3-12-10-57.
Fredonia (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Unruh 2-0-4-4, Couch 0/1-0-1-3, Stephens 2-0-3-4, Diehl 3-1-1-7, Ostrowsky 2/3-0-1-13, Reed 4-0-1-8, Hite 0-1-0-1, Moya 3-4-0-10. TOTALS: 16/4-6-11-50.
Cubs win seventh straight
