PLEASANTON — It seems the Humboldt Cubs can withstand just about anything these days, including a stiff punch in the face — metaphorically speaking that is.
The Cubs downed Jayhawk-Linn 58-36 Friday night to take home the championship trophy at Pleasanton’s midseason tournament. According to Head Coach David Taylor, the score doesn’t tell the whole story.
“They punched us right in the mouth from the get-go,” he said.
The Jayhawks stuck with Humboldt in the first two quarters, going into the second with a 13-10 lead of their competitor. They had a one-point edge going into the break.
But then the Cubs started to wake up.
“All it takes is that little spark, and it can come from any player,” Taylor said. “It’s a nice luxury to have right now.”
The Cubs went 22-7 in the third quarter to turn a one-point deficit into a commanding lead heading into the fourth. Taylor said his players, who moved to 10-1 with the win, fought the entire game on defense and were patient enough for the offense to fall into place.
Humboldt is firing on all cylinders at the moment, something Taylor attributes to unselfish play and numerous players willing to step into the spotlight when needed.
Justin Meins led the team offensively with 14 points, but he was not alone. Kason Siemens had 13 points, and Hunter Murrow and Markiez Pulliam had 12 apiece.
“I was very happy with how they responded when they got punched in the face,” he said.
It didn’t seem to hurt them too bad.
As for Thursday’s contest against Uniontown, the Cubs handled the Eagles in fine fashion, 60-37, sending them to the championship matchup.
Pulliam led for the contest with 13 points, followed by Caleb D’Armond with nine and Meins and Vanatta with eight apiece.
Humboldt 10-13-22-13—58
Jayhawk-Linn 13-11-7-5—36
Humboldt (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Vanatta 1-0-1-2, H. Murrow 3/2-0-1-12, Carpenter 0-1-3-1, Sellman 1-0-0-2, D’Armond 1-0-0-2, Meins 6-2-3-14, Pulliam 6-0-2-12, Siemens 2/3-0-2-13. TOTALS: 20/5-3-12-58.
Jayhawk-Linn (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Leach 0/1-0-0-3, Mark 8/1-0-0-19, Nation 0-0-1-0, Matthews 0/1-0-2-3, McGreuw 1-1-1-3, Miller 0/1-0-1-3, Morrell 1-0-0-2, Workman 1-0-1-2, B. Miller 0-1-1-1. TOTALS: 11/4-2-7-36.
Wildcat boys pick up victories
