Three of Humboldt High’s signature players earned recognition for their exploits on the hardwoods this season. ALSO EARNING all-TVL status was Yates Center’s Cameron Brown.
Fresh off a state championship game appearance, Humboldt’s Noah Thornbrugh, Tanner McNutt and Nathan Whitcomb were named to the Tri-Valley League all-league team.
The senior triumvirate led the way as Humboldt rolled through a perfect undefeated season, then captured the Class 3A substate crown in thrilling fashion, defeating Burlington in double-overtime and Eureka in overtime to earn a state playoff berth.
The fun continued at state, with the Cubs overcoming a five-point deficit down the stretch to defeat Salina-Sacred Heart before thumping Silver Lake 47-35 to earn the title shot.
Humboldt lost the title game Saturday to three-time 3A state champion Scott City, 74-55, to end the year at 25-1.
The 6-6 Thornbrugh led Humboldt with 15.8 points and 7.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. He also ranked second on the team with 2.7 assists and third with 1.8 steals per game. He reached double figures in every game but three, including a 31-point outburst against Neodesha in December.
McNutt, 6-2, was second in scoring for the Cubs at 14.8 points per game. He was second on the team in steals with 52 — one fewer than Whitcomb — while also averaging 3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per contest. McNutt saved his best for last, pouring in 28 points against Scott City.
Whitcomb, at 6 feet, was Humboldt’s third leading scorer at 8.8 points per game. He led the team with 3.3 assists and was second with 3.4 rebounds. He twice scored 17 points, including in Humboldt’s substate opener against Jayhawk-Linn.
Humboldt ran through TVL play with a 10-0 mark.
Brown, a 6-2 junior, averaged 17.8 points. He also led the Wildcats with 8.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.1 blocks per game. His 2.2 steals per game ranked second.
With Brown as the catalyst, Yates Center went 4-16 on the season.
Others earning all-league honors were Justice Baird, Neodesha, Ryan Redding, Burlington, Tanner McIntosh, Caney Valley, Derek Robertson, Cherryvale, Brandon Voth, Fredonia, and Colton Pitko, Eureka.
Earning honorable mention were Burlington’s Grant Shell, Joe Siegele of Fredonia and Logan Hays and Wes Moots of Eureka.
Cub, Wildcat players noted
