Cubs defense sparks win over Yates Center

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Sports

December 17, 2014 - 12:00 AM

HUMBOLDT — Humboldt High’s defense continues to pave the way to victory.
The Cubs took control in the second and third quarters Tuesday, outscoring visiting Yates Center High 39-21 in that span, on the way to a 55-39 victory.
The win lifts Humboldt to 4-1 on the season.
“We played well against their zone, and we were able to turn up the pressure,” Humboldt head coach David Taylor said. “Some times we tried to get out and go too fast, but when we slowed down, we played well.”
The Cubs showed plenty of flash — 20 assists — but also had plenty of miscues — 21 turnovers — Taylor said.
“I was pleased with how we attacked,” he said.
Humboldt also was solid from the line, hitting 7 of 8 free throws.
The Cubs turned a 10-5 lead after one quarter to a  30-14 halftime advantage. The margin stood at 49-26 after three.
Victory came at a steep cost, however.
Senior Robbie Sellman left the proceedings early on with an injury to the same shoulder that derailed his football season earlier this fall.
Taylor had to insert several younger players a bit earlier than he had originally planned.
“We got a lot of kids in there, and some had to come in when it was still a pretty heated game,” he noted.
Markiz Pulliam led the way with 17 points, while Justin Meins had 11 points, four steals and 11 assists. Rhett Smith added nine points, while Ethan Bartlett and Kason Siemens scored eight each. Bartlett also had four steals.
“Ethan had a solid game,” Taylor said. “Markiz played well. A lot of that is attributable to how well they played around him.”
Mikey Bruner scored 14 points and Drake Busteed had 11 to lead Yates Center. Jordan Smith added five.
Humboldt travels to Neodesha Friday to wrap up its pre-Christmas schedule. Yates Center hosts Eureka.

Yates Center (5-9-12-13—39) (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Bruner 2/3-1-2-14, Splechter 1-1-0-3, Holloway 2-0-2-4, King 0-0-1-0, Smith 0/1-2-0-5, Busteed 2/2-1-1-11, Hamm 0-2-5-2. TOTALS: 7/6-7-11-39
Humboldt (10-20-19-6—55) (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Vanatta 0-0-3-0, Whitcomb 0-0-1-0, Hoepker 1-0-0-2, Pulliam 7-3-2-17, Sellman 0-0-1-0, Haviland 0-0-3-0, Bartlett 4-0-2-8, Meins 5-1-1-11, Siemens 1/2-0-1-8, Smith 0/2-3-3-9, TOTALS: 18/4-7-17-55

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