HUMBOLDT — Humboldt High’s boys must not have slacked off too much during the holiday break.
Their first matchup of 2013 against Fredonia Tuesday night proved to be an exercise in efficiency with a 68-39 victory.
The game started quickly from both squads. Humboldt’s Nathan Whitcomb struck first underneath, followed by back-to-back 3-pointers from Hunter Murrow and Tanner McNutt. The quarter ended Humboldt on top 21-16.
Fredonia held close in the second half, despite some key plays from Noah Thornbrugh — he stole the ball and wowed the spectators with an impressive dunk with just over six minutes remaining in the half.
“We really shot well tonight,” head coach David Taylor said. “We were getting a lot of our shots in rhythm and had good ball movement.”
Humboldt opened up the lead in the second half, outscoring Fredonia 22-5.
Taylor said it was what impressed him most from his team’s performance.
“We played well in the third,” he said. “Nathan Whitcomb really gave us a spark.”
The Cubs led 58-32 after three periods.
Thornbrugh led Humboldt with 19 points, followed by Tanner McNutt with 16 and Nathan Whitcomb with 14. As a team, the Cubs shot 29 for 48 from the field (60.4 percent).
Thornbrugh led in rebounds as well with 10. The Cubs had 21 as a team. Whitcomb contributed seven assists, and Murrow, Whitcomb and Trey Johnson each had three steals.
“I was pleased with the first game after Christmas break,” Taylor said. “Normally, I dread those games.”
He said the success of the team was dependent on whether they used their athleticism efficiently in their offense.
The Cubs did just that Tuesday.
“When they use their athleticism on offense, they’re hard to stop,” Taylor said. “They have been unselfish, and are willing to share the wealth.”
The win improves Humboldt’s record to a perfect 8-0. The Cubs play Cherryvale at home on Friday.
Humboldt’s junior varsity squad followed the varsity team’s lead with a victory, as did the C team.
Humboldt’s JV won 58-35 behind Kason Siemens with 20 points.
The C team prevailed 52-39. Rhett Smith led Humboldt with 12 points.
Fredonia (16-11-5-7—39)
Humboldt (21-15-22-10—68)
Fredonia (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP) Sommer 1/1-0-2-5, Siegele 3/1-3-0-12, Stevens 1-1-0-3, Johnson 2-2-3-6, Morris 2-2-1-6, Moya 3-1-1-7. TOTALS (12/2-9-7-39).
Humboldt (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP) Vanatta 1-0-3-2, McNutt 2/4-0-4-16, Murrow 3/1-0-1-9. Whitcomb 6-2-2-14, Sellman 0/1-0-2-3, Crawford 1-0-3-2, Johnson 0/1-0-3-3, Thornbrugh 9-1-1-19. TOTALS (22/7-3-17-68).
Humboldt keeps record spotless
