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Chieftains see close games go way of Trojans, Raiders

Chieftains see close games go way of Trojans, Raiders Chieftains see close games go way of Trojans, Raiders
Lake Holcombe sophomore Colton Minnick chases after a lose ball on his home court Feb. 13, in their last regular season game against Bruce. The Chieftains battled to the end, but saw the conference match-up go to the visitors, 69-64. Photo by Ginna Young By Ginna Young

In their last two games of the regular season, the Lake Holcombe boys basketball team faced tough competition to end the conference matches.

Feb. 12 vs. New Auburn conference (L 74-73)

Traveling to New Auburn, the Chieftains rolled throughout the first half, taking a 21-point lead into the break. It was a different story in the second part of the game.

“They found it difficult to get the ball to drop in the second half and New Auburn got the hot hand,” said coach Joy Webster.

The Trojans outscored Lake Holcombe by 22 points in the second half. The Chieftains still led the whole way, until 3.7 seconds to go in the game, when a missed free throw and a ball out of bounds caused a few raised eyebrows.

“A controversial call gave the ball back to New Auburn,” said Webster.

The Trojans then inbounded, getting off a last-second shot for a buzzer-beater that gave them the game, 74-73.

Senior Brock Flater led all scorers with 18, followed by sophomore Dylan Bowen with 16, and junior Colton Minnick, with 14. Senior Kaden Crank also put up double-digits, with 11.

Senior Riley Gingras had a solid night with 9 points and senior Tate Sauerwein chipped in with 5.

Minnick and Bowen combined for 11 assists, while Flater, Gingras, Crank and Minnick combined for 14 steals. Crank also pulled down 13 rebounds for a double-double on the night.

Gingras and Flater combined for another 11 rebounds.

Feb. 13 vs. Bruce conference (L 69-64)

It was still a regular season match-up, but the next night, an air of playoffs was felt, as Lake Holcombe hosted Bruce, who they will meet in Regional action.

It was a back-and-forth contest throughout the game, with the score tied 38-38 at the break. The game continued that way through the second half.

Eventually, the Raiders got the upper hand and with foul trouble rearing its ugly head, the Chieftains saw the game go to Bruce, 69-64.

“Saturday night came down to everything you would like to see in a championship game,” said Webster.

It wasn’t the outcome Lake Holcombe hoped for, but the team did have something to celebrate, as Crank surpassed 1,000 points for his high school career, ending with 14 points on the board. He also had 12 rebounds, completing a double-double on the night.

Bowen was hot from three-point range early, scoring 14 of his 16 game-high points in the first half. Gingras also played a solid game, scoring 16 points, with 3 assists. Flater was also in double figures, scoring 11 points and adding 4 assists.

Minnick led the team with 6 assists and also scored 7 points.

Wrapping up East Lakeland Conference action, the Chieftains set their final regular season record at 8-4 and 11-10 overall.

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