Greyhound boys pull out nail-biter over Abbotsford
There’s a secret to winning close games, and the Loyal Greyhounds are close to cracking that code. The boys have begun their 2020-21 campaign with a 2-4 record, but that could easily be the other way around, if not for a pair of close losses.
Loyal dropped two of its last three games by six points apiece, falling to Greenwood on Dec. 10 36-30, and then were bounced by Columbus Catholic 55-49 in Marshfield on Dec. 15.
But it was a Dec. 14 game that should give the Greyhounds some wind in their sails heading into the holidays after they defeated Abbotsford 60-58 for a nonconference road victory. The Falcons are in a similar boat to the Greyhounds -- they play well, but struggle to close out games. What proved to be the difference maker on Dec. 14 was a balanced Loyal offense.
Two Falcons scored 41 of Abbotsford’s 58 points, while Loyal had three players in double figures. Kaiden Hagen led the charge on Monday, scoring from inside, outside and from the line.
Hagen hit three treys in the first half, and Kaden Olson replicated the feat. Drew Stieglitz and Deagon Sandelier chipped in with a pair of baskets to keep Loyal out in front 31-27 at halftime.
The Greyhounds had fits with Abby’s Cade Faber, a high-flying senior who is being courted by colleges to play at the next level. Faber did a little bit of everything for the Falcons, scoring a game high 29 points, and corralling 16 boards.
Faber got a lift from forwards Mason Carpenter and Brandon Diedrich, and Abby out-scored Loyal 31-29 in the second half.
Abby was also able to put the clamps on Olson, holding him to two points, but that allowed Daymian Baird to get loose for a big second half. Baird had just two points in the first half, but struck from all parts of the court, including three triples, for 19 points on the night.
The Greyhounds would need them too, as it was mostly a two man show. Baird and Hagen scored 27 of Loyal’s final 29 points, and their efforts were enough to secure Loyal’s second win of the season.
