The Hastings Raiders boys basketball team packed a lot into a busy holiday stretch, three games in six days, two at home and one on the road, with close finishes, strong individual efforts, and a reminder of how small the margin can be in December basketball.
The week opened on Monday night at the Hastings High School Holiday Tournament, where the Raiders found themselves in a back-and-forth battle with Bloomington Kennedy. Hastings came out sharp early, putting 41 points on the board in the first half and carrying a four-point lead into the break. The offense flowed through Matthew Foss, who scored from all three levels, while Brady Hendrickson and Carter Lundstrom helped keep the pace with steady perimeter play. Kennedy responded in the second half with a surge inside and timely shooting, trimming the gap and eventually pulling ahead late. Hastings stayed within striking distance until the final horn, but a late rally came up just short in an 84 to 82 loss that showed both the Raiders’ scoring potential and their toughness in tight games.
Bloomington Kennedy edged Hastings 84 to 82. Matthew Foss led with 30 points, Carter Lundstrom added 13, Landon Miska had 14, Brady Hendrickson scored 12, and Liam Bernatz finished with 9. During the game, Matthew Foss became the 10th Raider for boys basketball to tally his 1,000th point.
Hastings bounced back Tuesday night, again at home, this time against Bloomington Jefferson, and the Raiders delivered their most complete effort of the week. After trailing by three at halftime, Hastings turned up the defensive pressure and found another gear offensively. Foss continued his strong tournament play, attacking the paint and stepping out to hit key shots, while Hendrickson controlled the tempo and found open teammates. The second half belonged to Hastings, as the Raiders outscored Jefferson 42 to 34, pulling away down the stretch with solid free throw shooting and disciplined possessions. The 71 to 66 win capped the tournament on a high note and rewarded the Raiders for their resilience after the opening night loss.
Hastings beat Bloomington Jefferson 71 to 66. Matthew Foss led with 31 points, Brady Hendrickson added 22, Landon Miska had 8, Liam Bernatz scored 4, and Carter Lundstrom finished with 3.
The week wrapped up Saturday at the Southern Minnesota Hoops Fest in Rochester, where Hastings faced a physical Rochester Mayo squad. The Raiders struggled to find consistent offense early and trailed by eight at halftime. Foss once again led the way offensively, but Mayo’s balance and defensive pressure limited scoring opportunities across the lineup. Hastings battled in the second half, matching Mayo’s energy for stretches, but could not close the gap as Mayo pulled away for a 62 to 49 final. The game served as a measuring stick against a strong opponent and highlighted areas for growth as the season moves forward.
Hastings fell to Rochester Mayo 62 to 49. Matthew Foss led with 24 points, Brady Hendrickson added 12, Carter Lundstrom had 5, Landon Miska scored 4, and Liam Bernatz finished with 2.
Hastings will hit the road for three straight games, starting Friday, Jan. 9, at North St. Paul with a 6:30 p.m. tip, followed by a Tuesday, Jan. 13, trip to Hudson at 7:15 p.m., and a Friday, Jan. 16, matchup at Tartan set for 7:00 p.m. The Raiders then return home Tuesday, Jan. 20, to host South St. Paul at Hastings High School, with the game scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.