With a key game looming that could have a big impact on the Metro East race, the Hastings boys basketball team took care of business in a home game against Hill-Murray on Thursday, Jan. 25
The Raiders won 82-61, upping their second-place Metro East record to 5-2. Tartan remains in first place with an unblemished conference mark at 7-0. The two teams were scheduled to face off at Tartan on Tuesday, Jan. 30.
With that game and scheduled contests at St. Thomas Academy (4-3) on Friday and home against Mahtomedi (tied for second with Hastings at 5-2) Tuesday, it’s a big week for the Raiders.
Hastings has been coming on strong in the second half in recent games, and the last 18 minutes against Hill-Murray were no exception. Hastings led by just four at the half before outscoring the Pioneers 47-30 in the second half.
Hastings used the game as an opportunity also to get a lot of players time on the court, with 19 of them seeing time.
Owen Bernatz led the Hastings effort with 18 points. Kellen Nuytten had 16 points and seven rebounds, and Lukas Foss scored 13 points. Matt Foss added nine, Kyan Esterby and Weston Schult seven, Marlowe Strain four, Parker McGinnis and Payton Dean two and Caleb Gudissa one. Schult also had six assists and four steals.
On Tuesday, Jan. 23, Hastings outlasted North St. Paul in a home game, 72-62, led by a huge night from Nuytten. The 6’3” senior center was unstoppable. In 27 minutes on the court, he scored 30 points on 12-17 shooting from the floor and connected on 6-7 free throws.
Bernatz recorded 12 points, and Lukas Foss had 11. Kyan Esterby, Schult had five and Payton Dean and Matthew Foss both scored two.

Team Conf. Overall
Tartan 7-0 13-3
Hastings 5-2 10-6
Mahtomedi 5-2 7-9
St. Thomas Ac. 4-3 9-7
South St. Paul 4-3 6-10
North St. Paul 3-4 5-10
Two Rivers 2-5 6-11
Hill-Murray 2-6 6-9
Simley 0-7 3-13