The Raider boys’ hoopsters continue to shut down opponent after opponent with smothering defense, ultra quick transitions and smart shot choices. Hastings entered the week 13-4 overall with two games scheduled. First up, Hill-Murray (5-14) on Feb. 4. And Simley (6-13) on Feb. 6. The Raiders dominated the Pioneers 77-59 then dismantled the Spartans 86-48, both of whom are conference foes.
Both games progressed quickly to a Raider lead that became insurmountable. Against Hill-Murray, that lead took longer to develop with both teams only scoring two points a piece in the first six minutes of play, but once Hastings dialed in their shots, they were off to the races. By the time the intermission hit, Hastings was up 35-24. The second half the Raiders really opened up the lead before giving the depth players some real game time minutes. By the time it was all said and done, Hastings won 77-59.
Eight Raiders scored against the Pioneers, Matthew Foss exploded with 27 points going 5-for-6 from long distance. Brady Hendrickson went 4-for-6 from three-point range enroute to 14 points total. Weston Schult had 11, Jacob Reuter 10, Carter Lundstrom six, Lukas Foss four, Liam Bernatz three and Kyan Esterby two.
The game against Simley was a game of total domination. Hastings took a 51-24 lead into the intermission and came out to add 35 more in the second half to win 86-48. When a game is this lopsided, it is clear that everything went right for Hastings.
11 of the 16 Raiders that saw playing time scored. Carter Lundstrom led the Raiders with 15 points, Matthew Foss and Marlowe Strain both had 12 points each. Hendrickson hit on 3-of-7 three pointers for nine points and Jacob Reuter rounded out the top five scorers with eight.
With the two wins, the Raiders are building on a six-game winning streak with seven games remaining in the regular season. They travel for a three-game road trip starting Feb. 12 at North St. Paul for a 6:30 p.m. tip, then at Park of Cottage Grove on Feb. 15 for a 1:00 p.m. matinee game and then Tartan for a potential battle for first place on Feb. 18 at 6:30 p.m.