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Boys basketball finished the week at 4-13 overall and 2-5 in the conference. The conference record puts them in sixth, just two points out of fourth. In the section 3AAAA, Hastings sits at the bottom of the standings, but they can make a move up with just a few more wins under their belts after having a two-win week last week.

The first game of the week was against Hill-Murray. The Pioneers are having a rough season sitting at 1-13. Hastings took control of the game at the start and never let up leading 47-32 at the half. Hastings kept the pressure on and won the second half 4435 and the game 91-67.

Kelvin Maher led the team in points with 20, Owen Bernatz had 16, Matthew Foss had 13 and Kyan Esterby had 10. Bernatz led the Raiders in assists with 11 and rebounds with seven in the win. Ten Raider players contributed to the score and all 12 varsity players saw time.

At 5-9, the Simley Spartans proved to be a much more equal opponent for the Raiders on Thursday night. The first half of the game saw multiple lead changes with many missed scoring opportunities for both teams. Hastings took a one-point lead, 27-26 into the intermission.

The two teams battled hard the second half and with 10 minutes remaining, Simley had gone on quite the run to take an 11 point lead. Hastings charged back and with three minutes remaining, the score was tied at 60. The final three minutes were nailbiters, Simley took the lead then Hastings jumped out front by three with less than a minute to go. Simley came roaring back and cut the lead to 67-65 for the final, a Hastings win.

Nuytten lead the Raiders for scoring with 23, Bernatz has 16 and Matthew Foss had 14. Nuytten had 12 rebounds and Bernatz had five assists.

The final game of the week was against 6-9 Chaska. The Hawks controlled the game from the start leading 51-30 at the half and winning 83-50. Bernatz led the Raiders in all three areas of the game, he had 14 points, six rebounds and three assists. Two others had three assists as well, Esterby and Weston Schult.

The Raiders hope to improve their record with an upset over Tartan on Feb. 3rd at home, 7:00 p.m. Then they travel to North St. Paul on Feb. 7th for a 7:00 p.m. tip.

Owen Bernatz continues to be the top scoring Raider for the boys this year having racked up 293 points on the season. Here he fought his way to the net for an attempt at adding two more.Photo by Bruce Karnick