By Bruce Karnick

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It seems as though most sports have a short saying that can sum up a game. In football, the one that comes to mind is, ‘live by the blitz, die by the blitz.’ For the Raider boys’ basketball team this season, it seems it will be ‘live by the three, die by the three.’ Unfortunately, against Simley, the Raiders died by the three, sinking only 12 of 36 three point attempts the entire game. That works out to be just 33% accuracy. In a tall guy game, the Raiders are on the short end of the spectrum, having only one player over six feet tall. Yes, many of them are very close to six feet tall,. In a game of inches, that can dramatically affect play in the paint.

The fast-paced game was dominated by defense and missed shots on both sides of the court. The Raiders have been averaging 61.75 points per game. Take out their lowest of the season, 42 against Tartan last week, and that jumps almost seven points to 68 per game. The total points scored in games for both teams have been around the 130-140 range. This game struggled to break 100 between both, in fact, with two minutes left in the game, it looked as though the score would not break 100 points.

Senior Japhi Gudissa talked about the game.

“The first half was rough. For me personally, I wasn’t moving the ball enough. The team, we had good shots coming in but just weren’t falling. Then we started to hit and turn it up. I got a little banged up in the first half, but my team came through.”

At one point in the first half, the Raiders trailed by 10. At halftime, that margin would be cut to four and they trailed 29-33. What was the plan heading into the second half?

“We knew we’re still in it, we knew that we could score in bunches so we just kept the mindset of defensive rotations just like Fike says, pressuring the ball, all that just so we can get turnovers get the ball up the floor, get some easy buckets,” Gudissa explained.

During the interview, it was clear that Gudissa plays passionately and unbelievably hard for his team. The facemask he had on was one of the blue medical ones and it was almost transparent because it was soaked with sweat. It could be dunked in a tub of water and it would probably have less fluid in it. How does he play with that on?

“I mean, I don’t even realize it at this point like I’ve had a couple games. It’s just, like I’m in the moment you know, just trying to live in the moment,” Gudissa said.

Earlier in the week, the boys hosted Tartan in a game where they scored the fewest points of the season, 42. Tartan had a 19-point lead going into halftime. The Titans would finish with 70, giving the Raiders a tough night on the court.

At one and four on the year, it does not get any easier for the Raiders as they travelled to St. Thomas Academy on Monday, and host South St. Paul on Friday.

Japhi Gudissa swishes two free throws near the end of the game against Simley. This was the last point the Raiders scored, falling 56-50. Photo by Bruce Karnick

Four of Hastings Top skiers in action Tuesday night for the conference meet at Welch Village. Top Left-Abbi Pelava, Top Right-Malory Karnick, Bottom Left-Aaron Herber, Bottom Right-Jackson Reents. Photos courtesy of Tricia Pelava