A real struggle

Despite starting with one of the best scoring quarters of the season, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn could not keep pace with George-Little Rock during a War Eagle Conference boys' basketball game. The Mustangs were 83-34 winners on Dec. 19 in Hartley.

The Hawks scored 12 points in the opening quarter but were trailing by 16 as the Mustangs went on a 19-5 run over the final five minutes. G-LR enjoyed a 23-8 scoring advantage in the second quarter to build a 31-point lead.

Eleven straight points to close out the third quarter increased the Mustangs' lead to 66-25, and they continued to pull away in the final period.

"We really struggled in all facets of the game," Hawk coach Naet Hoaglund admitted. "Probably the two most disappointing areas would be defensive rebounding and turnovers. Most of our turnovers were live ball turnovers leading to easy baskets for them.

"G-LR was also able to capitalize on their offensive rebounds, scoring 15 second-chance points," he added. "It's going to be a struggle to compete if we spot opponents free possessions and easy opportunities like we did. We've got to learn to take care of the basketball and be more efficient with our opportunities."

Lawton Schiphoff scored nine points, Jayden Leth scored eight, Josh Cruz and Bradley Van Beek each scored six, Kolby Douma scored three and Alex Billings scored two. The Hawks made 13-of-38 shots from the floor. They committed 20 turnovers.

H-M-S was outrebounded by a 40-13 margin. Cruz had four rebounds, Billings and Schiphoff each had three, and Leth had two. Cruz, Schiphoff and Van Beek all had three assists.

Hoaglund could still find positives despite the Hawks' winless start to the season.

"They are working hard and trying to do the best they can. They are learning and they are growing, even though outcomes like this don't make it feel like it," he said. "We reassure them to hang in there, be positive and continue giving maximum effort."

• Stats from Gehlen Catholic

H-M-S lost to Gehlen Catholic, 74-34, on Dec. 15. The following are stats from that contest.

Scoring: Jayden Leth 12, Lawton Schiphoff 8, Josh Cruz 6, Kolby Douma and George Vargas 3, and Alex Billings 2.

Rebounds: Cruz 4, Billings 3, Bradley Van Beek, Leth, Schiphoff and Vargas 2.

Assists: Cruz, Schiphoff 3 and Leth 2.

Steals: Cruz, Schiphoff and Vargas 2.

Team: FG – 12-of-40, FT – 2-of-8; Rebounds – 15; Assists – 10; Steals – 9; Turnovers – 21.

The Hawks will begin their post-holiday schedule on Jan. 5 at Harris-Lake Park.