By Bruce Karnick [email protected] At 1-12 heading into the game Friday night, the Raiders boys basketball team had more to look forward to than a game. There were youth players in the stands …
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By Bruce Karnick
At 1-12 heading into the game Friday night, the Raiders boys basketball team had more to look forward to than a game. There were youth players in the stands who look up to the varsity guys as heroes. After the game, these youths were going to be given a varsity team poster and the opportunity to have all of the players in attendance sign their poster for them.
Hastings and Two Rivers went back and forth for a bit before Hastings started to settle in. Kelvin Maher started hitting threes and Michael Mitchell cleaned up in the paint to give Hastings the 29-20 halftime lead over the Warriors.
“The big thing that gave us success tonight was playing the team game. When the guys moved the ball around, it created open shots and we hit those shots. We struggled when guys played the me game,” explained Head Coach Chad Feikema. “The me game is when guys second guess the plan or struggle trusting their teammates and they think they need to do it all themselves, and that just does not work in the long run.”
The team ball is ultimately what won the game for Hastings, with multiple passes each possession allowing open shots. Limiting offensive turnovers and capitalizing on defensive ones played a role too.
“We did well in transition tonight. The guys created turnovers and took advantage of them. We had big games from Mitchell and Maher tonight. Owen Bernatz has been great for us this season too, as has Axel Arnold,” added Feikema.
The Raiders extended their lead in the second half and at one point led by 20. Two Rivers, did close the gap in the last few minutes of play but Hastings held on to win 5945.
After the game, there was a line of around 30 youth players waiting to get each of the varsity players autographs. The varsity players were engaging and encouraging the young players.
Up next for the boys hoops team is Simley on Jan. 28, 7 p.m. at Simley High School, then Feb. 2 at home against Stillwater, also at 7 p.m.
Jonathon Watson fights for a late game offensive rebound against Two Rivers. Photo by Bruce Karnick
Plenty of youth basketball players showed up for the varsity poster signing event after the Raiders beat the Warriors on January 21. Photo by Bruce Karnick
