HUMBOLDT — It may have taken a bit longer than expected, but Humboldt High’s defensive pressure began to make its presence known Monday.
The Cubs had attempted to press visiting Prairie View early, but the Buffalos were able to respond, finding ways to get its offense going.
Prairie View led, 16-11, after one quarter, prompting a nervous murmur among the hometown Cub fans in the opening round of the Class 3A Substate Tournament.
Undaunted, the Cubs kept up the pressure, and finally began flustering the Buffalo guards in the second half.
Humboldt ended the game on a 33-21 run to win, 61-47.
The victory puts the Cubs (13-7) in the substate tournament semifinals, where they’ll battle Girard, a 65-33 over Osawatomie.
The game will be hosted by Prairie View, with tipoff set for about 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
“We had a good third quarter,” Humboldt head coach David Taylor said. “We were able to get out in transition, and got a couple of easy baskets.”
There’s plenty to be said about Humboldt junior Trey Sommer as well.
Sommer scored 20 of Humboldt’s 28 points in the first half, as the Cubs took the lead for good with a 17-10 second-quarter spurt.
“Trey did a nice job of really taking it to their big guy,” Taylor said.
Likewise, Levi McGowen’s defense against Prairie View’s Josh Robbins was another key to slowing the Buffalo attack, Taylor said.
Meanwhile, the Cub defense slowly took control in the third and fourth periods, allowing scoring opportunities for Humboldt’s guards Drew Wilhite and Gavin Page.
“Gavin did a nice job with his mid-range shots,” Taylor said. “It opened things up for us.”
Sommer wound up with 26 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks, followed by Wilhite and Page with 12 points apiece.
Wilhite tacked on four steals and two blocks. McGowen had six points and four steals. Colden Cook scored four.
