The right start makes a big difference

Scoring the first eight points set the right tone for Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn during a 68-48 boys' basketball win over visiting Trinity Christian on Dec. 3.

Whether from inside or outside, the Hawks built the lead to 20-10 by the end of the first quarter and extended it to as many as 19 points shortly before half time.

"I'm really happy with how our guys approached the game and came out and set the tone early," said Hawk coach Naet Hoaglund. "Certainly we have things to clean up and work on, but I'm proud of how we competed and the effort in which we competed."

Trinity Christian trailed by 20 points in the third quarter before going on an 11-0 run to get the margin down to nine. The Hawks then answered with 11 straight points early in the fourth quarter and eventually led by as many as 24.

Lance Berends and Kooper Ebel again led the offense, scoring 28 and 27 points. Jordan Ortega added six. The Hawks made 60 percent of their shots from the field.

"We continue to look to get others involved in scoring," Hoaglund said. "I was really pleased with how we got out in transition and pushed the ball."

He also noted the Hawks were able to limit second-chance points, allowing just four to Trinity Christian after giving up 16 in the season-opener.

Berends grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked four shots; Ebel had five rebounds, three assists and three steals; Travis Kamradt and Ortega each had four rebounds and four assists; Keevyn Jacobsma had four rebounds; and Mason Brinkman dished out six assists.

• vs. Woodbury Central

Woodbury Central was the team to dominate the pace early in H-M-S's 69-52 loss in the season-opener on Dec. 2 in Hartley.

H-M-S trailed 15-9 after one quarter and 33-22 at half time. Hoaglund thought the Hawks needed time to get in sync.

"Offensively, we struggled to find rhythm early. We were stagnant and found it difficult to get ball movement," he noted. "Once some of the first game jitters wore off, we were able to get the kind of movement we were looking for and started to find some rhythm and looked much more comfortable."

The Hawks made a run in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 48-42. But Woodbury Central was too strong in the final period, extending the final margin to 17 points.

"I thought we competed hard defensively. There were times where we were rotationally out of position and Woodbury Central was able to capitalize. We have to do a better job of rebounding and holding our opponent's possessions to one shot," Hoaglund said.

Berends, Ebel and Ortega scored all but one of the Hawks' points, finishing with 22, 19 and 10, respectively.

"Lance had a great game for us in the post," Hoaglund said. "Kooper had some great dribble pentation that led to finishes at the rim and kick-out shots for open teammates. I was really pleased with Jordan and his spacing offensively."

Berends pulled down 12 rebounds, Ebel had six and Travis Kamradt had three. Mason Brinkman contributed three assists while Trenton Vollink, Ebel, Kamradt and Ortega all had two. Berends added two blocks.

The Hawks (1-1, 0-0) travel to Remsen on Dec. 10 to play St. Mary's, then host West Bend-Mallard on Dec. 13 and play at Akron-Westfield on Dec. 14.