CHEROKEE — Humboldt High’s boys entered the Class 2A Substate Playoffs as the 15 seed against Cherokee-Southeast, who entered as the No. 2 overall seed.
Nevertheless, the Cubs gave Southeast all it wanted Friday evening.
The Lancers had just enough at the end to prevail, 65-54, to end Humboldt’s season at 4-20 under first-year head coach Kason Siemens.
Southeast broke out of the gates, racing to a 12-3 lead before Humboldt rallied, closing to within 17-15.
But the Lancers proved too tough to overcome, and held a double-digit lead through much of the second half.
Humboldt’s Thatcher Mueller came to life down the stretch, scoring 11 of his team-high 18 points in the fourth. Hayden Kelley followed with 13 points, including 5 of 5 from the line. Luke Coronado finished with eight, Kolton Hanson scored six and Mason Sterling had five. Connor Newman and Ty Shaughnessy added two points apiece.
Southeast (18-6) advances to host Yates Center in the Substate Semifinals at 6 p.m. Wednesday, with the winner facing either St. Mary’s Colgan or Udall for a berth in the 2A State Tournament, which culminates next week in Emporia.
Humboldt bids adieu to seniors Sterling, Layne Ellison, Kelley, and Avion Seamster.
