Heading into the mid-season tournament, the “round-house” was full of excitement as Holton and Hiawatha looked to head into their tournaments with momentum. For each school, they'll have at least one team feeling the momentum as the Holton LadyCats defeated the Lady Redhawks 58-29 and the Hiawatha boys took down the Holton boys in overtime 69-59.

GIRLS

Anyone who watches the game of basketball understands that the game is one of “runs”. This game was no different. Holton, riding a two game losing streak, came into the night focused on starting of quickly, and they did just that. Jumping out to a 12-4 lead, Holton was poised to likely carry a double digit lead into the second quarter. However, Brady Jasper's Redhawks had other ideas. Hiawatha ended the final 2:20 of the 1st quarter on an 8-0 run to tie the game at 12-12. John Holidays Cats responded to whatever he challenged them with, as they outscored Hiawatha 17-6 in the 2nd frame to lead 29-18 at halftime.

Holton continued to turn up the pressure defensively and frustrate the young Redhawk team, outscoring Hiawatha 29-11 in the second half to ultimately win 58-29. Turnovers and lack of free throws would continue to plague Hiawatha in the second half, as they turned the ball over 12 times in the second half and 18 times all game, while only going 4-7 from the charity stripe. Holton on the other hand, relished in the fact that they only turned the ball over five times in the second half and eight times in the game, while shooting 20-32 from the foul line.

Holton (5-3, 4-3 Big 7) – With the win, Holton snaps a 2 game losing skid and will next play in the Bashor-Linwood Bobcat Classic next week starting on Wednesday night vs St. Joseph Central at 6:00pm.

Hiawatha (2-7, 1-6 Big 7) – Hiawatha couldn't continue momentum following their first conference win over Riverside on Tuesday. The Redhawks look to bounce back next Friday vs Horton followed by hosting their own tournament the week of the 22nd.

Holton- Tanking – 19, Moore – 8, Haussler – 7, Hickman – 6, Barta – 5, Holaday – 4, Rhodd – 2, Ramirez – 2, Flewelling – 2, Yingst – 1.

Hiawatha- Lindstrom – 16, S Madesen – 4, Wrencher – 4. K Madsen – 3, Overdick – 2.

BOYS

On paper, this game was going to be Hiawatha winning by several points, especially since it was a home game. Holton had other plans, however. After a tight first five minutes of the game where the lead went back and forth, Hiawatha trailed 6-5 with about 3:00 left in the 1st quarter. Coach Garry Smith called time out and calmed his guys down and aided them to rattling off an 11-2 run to close out the quarter and lead 16-8 at the end of the 1st quarter. A back and forth 2nd quarter saw Holton trim the lead to five at one point but not any closer and would trail by six at the half, 31-25. At the break, Hiawatha had forced 12 Holton turnovers and scored 14 points off those turnovers. The third quarter saw the game of basketball at it's finest. After nearly two minutes of game time and neither team finding an offensive rhythm, Hiawatha spouted a 6-2 run to extend their lead to the largest of the game at 37-27. over the next five minutes of game time heading into the 4th Quarter, Holton, led by Eli Prine and Blake Mulroy clawed the 'Cats back into the game by going on a 16-4 run to lead 43-41.

Holton hit five 3's in the 3rd Quarter aiding the comeback. Holton would lead the majority of the 4th quarter, before Hiawatha's defensive intensity would turn up again and start to wreak havoc on the Wildcat's. Tyler Brockhoff ran the point of Hiawatha's full court pressure and aided in five turnovers in the final two minutes of game time. Holton led by as many as six with two minutes to go, before Hiawatha would use Brockhoff's size advantage on the block to bring the Redhawks back into the game. Leading by three with :17 left, Holton scrambled to inbound the basketball and found themselves in a double team. Michael Moreno turned over Holton sophomore, Kale Purcell and made a layup plus the foul to tie the game up at 58-58. Holton had a great look as time was expiring when Noah Woltje faced the basket with :03 left and missed the potential game winning bucket, forcing overtime. With Holton having three guys foul out of the contest, Hiawatha carried their momentum from the final 2:00 of regulation into overtime and outscored Holton 11-1 in overtime to win 69-59.

Holton (1-7, 1-6 Big 7) – Played without leading scorer and rebounder Zane Moylan.  With the loss, Holton's losing streak continues now at six straight. Holton will next play in the Bashor-Linwood Bobcat Classic next week starting on Tuesday afternoon at 3:00.

Hiawatha (6-3, 4-3 Big 7) – Hiawatha continues to win games they should and be competetive in all other games. The Redhawks will get a real test as they play in next week's McLouth Invitational Mid-Season tournament.

Holton- Prine – 16, Mulroy – 12, Purcell – 10, Holaday – 10, Wrights – 6, Gilliland – 4, Brees – 1.

Hiawatha- Meyer – 23, Brockhoff – 19, Moreno – 9, Lierz – 6, Pavlish – 4, Isaac – 2, Nez – 2, Lillie – 2, Corbett – 2.