Colby outlasts Abby challenge

When it comes to a rivalry game you can throw out the records, forget about stats and ignore what pundits and experts might have to say.

A good rivalry game is unpredictable. It’s intense and athletes play above their height, speed or limitations. It gives players an edge that will never show up on a stat line but is instantly recognizable on a field, diamond, or in the case of the basketball game between Abbotsford and Colby on Dec. 29, the court.

“It definitely makes you want it more because we know all these guys,” said Cade Faber, Abbotsford’s senior wing. “We hang out with them in the summer, and we all talk about these games. It’s just fun to play against each other.”

The Hornets and Falcons both came into the game looking for momentum. Colby had suffered a non-conference loss to the Athens Bluejays the night before, and entered with a 2-3 record.

The Falcons have been in several close games, but have struggled with consistency and communication. Abby came into Tuesday’s cross-town clash with Colby with an 0-8 record.

“Communication, 100% [is the issue]. None of us ever talk and we always say we are going to work on it, but we never do,” Faber said. “So I’m going to get on people’s butts about it, and start communicating at practice.” One thing Abby did have going for it was the return of senior forward Mason Carpenter, who had been under quarantine. His presence was a welcome addition and instant impact, said Faber.

“It’s amazing and great to have Carp back in the line-up. He’s one of our best players and he’s one of our best defenders also. It’s really nice to have him in because of his height and he gets a lot of boards for us too.”

Carpenter wasn’t the only Falcon stepping up on the court on Monday. Brandon Hawkey and Brandon Diedrich both had big games, and some big shots. Their points, along with quick scores from Faber, gave Abbotsford an early 20-13 lead with 10:43 to play in the first half.

Colby’s turnovers and several missed shots gave the Falcons that early advantage, and Colby began to iron out the mistakes in their game. Colby head coach Jimmy Flink also noted the importance of the rivalry game, and the extra gear it gave the Hornets.

“I think the kids were pretty fired up tonight just because it was Abby. They know a lot of kids from that school. I think you could tell that the kids were boxing out a lot harder and I think that’s very important. Hopefully they keep that energy and play that way against every team and not just Abby.”

The Hornets might not have a lot of height, but what they did bring in was speed, and with Abby playing a man to man defense, Colby was able to use their quickness to great advantage, rattling off a 10-3 run to tie things up at 23-23 with just over four to play in the first frame.

“This is the first time we played a team that had man to man defense against us a whole game,” Flink said. “I think if teams play man to man against us, that takes away their height advantage because we’ve got such quick guys that like to attack.”

The Hornets maintained that attack through the final minutes of the first period, closing out the first half on a 24-10 run thanks to Abby’s turnovers that led to Colby points in transition, and the Hornets went into the break up 37-30.

Brent Jeske and Jaden Underwood paced Colby in the first half, scoring seven and eight points. Abby rode the hot hand of Faber, who scored 11 points. He got help from Diedrich, who dropped eight points on Colby.

The Falcons stayed within striking distance in the second half, snapping off a few quick baskets, but Colby did the same and it was 40-34 in the first opening minutes of the last stanza.

Both teams continued to shoot the ball well, and it was still a single digit game after ten minutes, with Colby holding a 62-53 edge. Faber continued to score in bunches, dropping 14 in the second on Colby for a game high 26 points.

Faber’s firepower was complimented by Carpenter, Hawkey and Brandon Diedrich, but they were the only Falcons to score more than one basket in the second half while Colby stung Abby with multiple offensive options.

Eight different players got in on the action for Colby, with Caden Healy and Brandon Voelker coming up big in their roles as major varsity contributors.

“Brandon Voelker was on varsity last year, but didn’t get a lot of playing time being a younger guy,” Flink said. “But Brandon has stepped up and really earned his varsity role. Caden Healey, you can tell he was a lot more aggressive going to the basket and scoring.”

Jeske and Underwood continued to work their way inside, but in the second half it was Richard Streveler who carried the Hornets past Abby.

The Falcons had made it a 63-55 game with 6:19 remaining in regulation, but Streveler hit some big baskets in the second half, and Abby struggled to get defensive stops.

The Hornets took advantage of Abby miscues to stymie any attempt by the Falcons to regain the lead, and Colby began to tighten the screws and pull away.

The Falcons made one last attempt to get back to even with Colby, pulling to within ten at 72-62. But with less than three minutes left, the Hornets took the air out of the ball and salted the game way to earn their third win and improve their record to 3-3.

Four Hornets finished in double figures, with Jeske, Streveler and Underwood all scoring 15 points apiece. Streveler notched a double-double for Colby with 11 boards.

Healy added a career best of 11 points, and Voelker recorded nine points in the non-conference victory. Brody Decker tallied six points, Mason Schmutzler added five and Lucas Karl and Tucker Meyer scored two points apiece.

In addition to his 26 points, Faber had 16 rebounds for Abby. He was joined in double digits by Brandon Hawkey and Brandon Diedrich. Diedrich had a season high of 14 points, and Hawkey added a season high of 11 points.

Carpenter scored eight points in his return. Bryce Draper and JV Castillo each collected three points and Adam Diedrich chipped in with two points.

The 67 points Abbotsford dropped on Colby is a season high for the Falcons, and Faber and company are hoping to use their performance as a springboard for better results in 2021.

“I’m hoping we can take some positives from this, that we can play a good team and stick with them,” Faber said. “I hope we can carry this into our next game. If we play like this I think we can get a few wins.”

As for Colby, the win was a shot of juice in the veins as the Hornets prepare to enter the heart of the 2020-21 season. With so many players contributing, Flink hopes to see his players continue to hone and improve their games.

“We still have a lot to work on with our turnovers, boxing out and scoring droughts, but we’ve come a long way,” Flink said. “I want to see us keep improving and working to get better and if we can do that, then the wins and everything else will fall into place.”

RICHARD MAKES IT RAIN -Colby’s Richard Streveler elevates as he prepares to knock down a mid-range jumper against a flock of Falcons last week. Streveler notched a double-double as he finished with a team high 15 points to go with his 11 rebound effort.

THESE BOYS GOT BOUNCE -Colby’s Mason Schmutzler attempts to block Cade Faber in the second half. Faber finished with 26 points and 16 rebounds, both game highs.

SUFFOCATING DEFENSE -Abbotsford’s Brandon Diedrich attempts to dribble the inside as, left to right, Caden Healy, Jaden Underwood and Brody Decker triple team Diedrich. Diedrich scored a career high 14 points against the Hornets, but Healy scored a career best of 11, while Underwood added 15 and Decker notched six points in Colby’s victory over their cross-town rivals.STAFF PHOTOS/SAMANTHA YOCIUS