The Hatchet boys basketball team topped Wittenberg 56-44 last Monday, but their modest two-game win streak came to an end Friday when they nearly upset Medford in a narrow 45-42 loss at home.
Tomahawk led Witt.-Birn. just 13-12 and 20-19 after the first two quarters, but pushed it to 39-32 in the third and capped it off with a 17-12 fourth.
“This is a big road win for us,” THS coach Tim Albert said. “It was another great team effort.
“We did a good job maintaining our lead by getting into the bonus, getting to the free throw line and making those free throws. A 12-for-15 effort in the fourth was great to see. I thought we played a great second half defensively. We rebounded very well and did a good job with early help.”
The locals were boosted by: Jon Nyberg (14 p, 12 r, 2 bl, 2 charges); Jared Jarvensivu (11 p, 3 r, 6 a); Fletcher Schoone (12 p, 4 r); Lorne Ahrens (7 p, 3 r, 3 st); Jordan Roessler (7 p, 3 r); and Chris Schoone (5 p).
Tomahawk-FG: 18-38 (47%); FT: 14-22 (64%).
Red Raider rally
The teams battled closely throughout Friday’s game, but Medford used its previous experience to rally and close out the victory.
“We had back-to-back turnovers when we led 40-36 that led to easy baskets for them and allowed the Raiders to tie the game,” Albert said. “They made just enough free throws to get the win. We did a really good job of running our set with under ten to play, we just had our three point attempt come up a bit short.”
Albert appreciated the strong showing.
“It’s a tough loss, the kids played with a lot of effort, intensity and enthusiasm, and we are going to build upon this effort tonight,” Albert said.
“Our offensive execution wasn’t as good as we would have hoped. We committed too many turnovers that led to easy baskets for them. We did play a very good game on the defensive end of the floor.”
Pacing THS were: Nyberg (7 p, 9 r, 2 ch); F. Schoone (9 p, 5 r); Jarvensivu (4 p, 10 a); Roessler (11 p); C. Schoone (6 p); and Ahrens (5 p).
Tomahawk-FG: 17-39 (44%); FT: 2-2 (100%).
Tomahawk is 6-8 on the season and 1-6 in the GNC. Medford is 11-2 and 5-2.