It wouldn't last

The scenario for Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn in its first boys' basketball game after the holiday break was similar to that of the game just before Christmas – a good start for the Hawks followed by the opposing team taking control of the contest.

Playing at Harris-Lake Park on Jan. 5, the Hawks led for most of the first quarter. But they would give up the lead and then fall farther behind as the game progressed. The outcome would be a 63-25 loss.

H-M-S led 10-4 in the early stages of the game after a pair of baskets by Jayden Leth. The Wolves rallied to tie the score but Josh Cruz scored a late basket to put the Hawks back on top, 12-10. H-LP took the lead for good early in the second quarter and extended it to 28-18 at half time.

The Wolves dominated the start of the second half, outscoring H-M-S by 18 points to make the score 49-21. Cruz's three-pointer gave the Hawks their only points in the third quarter. H-M-S scored back-to-back baskets early in the final period but did not score again. As a result, H-LP was able to extend their advantage to 38 points.

Leading scorers for H-M-S were Leth with nine points and Cruz with seven. George Vargas scored four points, Lawton Schiphoff scored three and Bradley Van Beek added two. No other stats were available as of press deadline.

H-LP had four players finish in double figures, led by Caleb Hemphill with 20 points.

The Hawks (0-9, 0-5) host Sheldon on Jan. 11 for a makeup game and also host MMCRU on Jan. 12. They will play at South O'Brien on Jan. 16.