4 wins in 5 days

Given the opportunity to turn the tables on two opponents that had won earlier meetings, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn earned wins over MMCRU and Harris-Lake Park, and won two more games to wrap up a 4-0 week.

H-M-S began the week by defeating MMCRU, 45-43, on Jan. 31 in Hartley. The Royals had prevailed in the meeting six days earlier, 61-58.

"It was nice to get back in the win column," Hawk coach Naet Hoaglund said. "I thought our guys came out and competed hard, especially on the defensive end. Offensively, we made it a priority to attack gaps in their 3-2 zone which got us some great scoring opportunities."

The Hawks trailed much of the first half, including a six-point deficit in the second quarter. But they pulled to within 25-23 at half time and used a 12-3 run in the third quarter to build a 38-31 lead.

"I thought we really got going in the third quarter," Hoaglund noted. "The overall effort and energy defensively were excellent. Our offensive was flowing and we were getting open looks."

H-M-S led by 12 in the fourth quarter before MMCRU's 1-2-2 trapping defense turned the momentum. Despite only scoring two points in the final 6-1/2 minutes, the Hawks hung on for the win.

Scoring for H-M-S was limited to Lance Berends with 20 points, Kooper Ebel with 15 and Travis Kamradt with 10.

H-M-S dominated the glass. Berends had 16 rebounds along with seven blocks; Ebel had eight rebounds, three blocks, two assists and two steals; Keevyn Jacobsma had seven rebounds and two assists; Kamradt pulled down four rebounds; and Mason Brinkman had three rebounds and two assists.

• vs. Harris-Lake Park

Defense was the focal point in a rematch with Harris-Lake Park on Feb. 1, and it paid off in a 53-34 win in Hartley.

"Defense was the priority. We didn't defend well the first time we played them [a 74-67 loss on Jan. 7]," Hoaglund acknowledged. "I was happy with how we competed on the defensive end on Tuesday. We were solid, in great position, moved our feet and challenged every shot."

It was also senior night. The five seniors started and Hoaglund was happy with the initial spark they provided.

A low-scoring first quarter ended with H-M-S leading 9-4. From there, the margin grew to 23-11 at half time and to 21 points in the third quarter.

Berends was a force on both ends of the court, finishing with 24 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks. Ebel finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, four steals and three assists; Brinkman had six points and three assists; Jordan Ortega had four points and five rebounds; and Jacobsma added four rebounds and two assists.

• vs. Sibley-Ocheyedan

H-M-S stepped outside the War Eagle Conference to take on Sibley-Ocheyedan at home on Feb. 3. The Hawks took the early lead and went on to prevail, 64-47.

A late scoring burst in the first quarter put H-M-S in front, 15-12. The Hawks built a 24-14 lead in the second quarter and seemed to take control of the game, but S-O fought back to within five. The margin grew to 35-25 at half time and 48-33 in the third quarter.

"I'm proud of how our guys came out and competed with great effort, especially on the defensive end," Hoaglund said. "I loved how aggressive we were offensively and how well we attacked. We got some great looks off of our dribble penetration which led to quality shot opportunities."

S-O fought back to cut the deficit to eight with 3:45 remaining. The Hawks made enough free throws to rebuild the lead while holding the Generals to two points.

Leading scorers were Ebel with 23 points, Berends with 14, Brinkman with 10 and Kamradt with eight.

Berends was relentless on the boards, grabbing 17 rebounds. He also had three assists and three blocks. Ebel had 10 rebounds, six blocks and four assists; Brinkman had five rebounds and three assists; and Jacobsma finished with four rebounds.

• vs. Trinity Christian

H-M-S closed out the 4-0 week with a 45-34 win at Trinity Christian on Feb. 4.

The first half was close, with the Hawks leading 13-9 after one quarter. But the Tigers narrowed the gap to 23-22 by half time. H-M-S extended the lead in the second half while holding Trinity Christian to just 12 points.

Berends scored 15 points, Ebel scored 13, Kamradt scored six and Brinkman added four. The Hawks shot well from the field (17-of-35) and at the free throw line (10-of-15).

They also had a 40-14 advantage in rebounds, led by Ebel with 13 along with three assists and three steals; Berends with 12 rebounds and three blocks; and Jacobsma with seven rebounds.

H-M-S improved to 9-11 overall and 3-6 in the War Eagle Conference. The Hawks closed out the regular season Feb. 8 against South O'Brien.