Hiawatha KS,

On Tuesday Hiawatha and Holton matched up on the floor for the first time this season with the Holton Girls and Hiawatha Boys coming away with much needed wins as we head into the final two weeks of the season.

GIRLS – Holton looked to parlay a big win last Friday against Sabetha with a win in the round house on Tuesday to keep pace in class 4A as sub state is coming quickly and they did just that. It wasn't easy for the 'Cats as they faced a Hiawatha team that has been tough at home. A back and forth first half saw Holton and Hiawatha trade leads numerous times throughout the first sixteen minutes and Holton clung to a lead at halftime of 20-17. After intermission something awoke the Redhawks outside shooting as Hiawatha nailed four triples in the third frame and outscored Holton by four to take a 36-35 lead heading into the final stanza. In the fourth, it was Holton that would find their stride, going eight for ten at the free throw line and outscoring Hiawatha 18-10 in the quarter for the 53-46 victory.

Holton (10-7) was able to overcome 17 turnovers in the game and go an astounding 23/30 from the free throw line to get a much needed win. The Wildcats leading scorer Junior Saydee Tanking was held to just three points in the first half, but exploded with fourteen in the second half to lead all scorers with seventeen. Senior Faith Haussler kept the 'Cats on track on the night hitting four trifectas in the game including a rare four point play after being fouled on a three point make, she finishing the night with 14 points for Holton. The 'Cats will next be in action at home on Friday as they host Nemaha Central, with the game live broadcast on the Holton Channel as well as 103.9 FM KNZA.

Hiawatha (7-10) had won three of their last four home games coming into this one and seemed poised to pull off the win after their scorching third quarter. The Redhawks third quarter surge was led by Sophomore Clara Lindstrom who hit three of her four trey's in the frame and Kate Madsen who had six points in the quarter. Turnovers proved to be a problem again for Hiawatha, coughing up 21 on the night. With three games left, the Redhawks will look to improve their seeding for sub state and it all starts on Friday at Jeff West.

SCORING

Holton – S. Tanking 17, F. Haussler 14, T. Moore 8, D. Hickman 6, M. Patch 4, P. Crouch 4

Hiawatha – C. Lindstrom 14, S. Madsen 12, K. Madsen 8, B. Pierce 6, J. Hrencher 4, D. Lierz 2

BOYS – A battle between two teams looking to right the ship as Hiawatha entered riding a 5-game losing streak and Holton a 3-game losing streak. Hiawatha has struggled as of late with allowing their opponents to jump out early to double digit first quarter leads and not being able to overcome them. On Tuesday, it seemed as if that would be the case again. Holton jumped out early 8-0 before Hiawatha would run off the next nine points. The two teams would be locked up at thirteen at the end of the first quarter and then the scoring really got started. Both Holton and Hiawatha would start lighting it up from behind the arc as the two teams combined for six three's in the quarter and Hiawatha would take the lead into the half at 28-23. Holton would never lead in the second half, however the game would get close on numerous occasions. The scoring continued as Hiawatha's Senior Tyler Brockhoff would find a groove with Holton's Kale Purcell finding his stroke and we went to the fourth quarter with the Redhawks leading 43-41. Once again Holton would make a few pushes in the quarter, getting the game within one possession on numerous occasions, but Hiawatha would withstand every Holton run and come away with the win 60-56 victory. 

Holton (4-12) has their losing streak continue to now four games with the loss. Coming into the game Holton was one of the best outside shooting teams in the Big 7 league, however the 'Cats struggle inside the arc at times and that continued against the Redhawks. Holton shot 6/11 from deep, but had countless shots inside the arc that wouldn't seem to fall. Holton will look to end the losing streak against Nemaha Central on Friday in Holton.

Hiawatha (9-8) snapped their losing streak and are looking to use this victory as a stepping stone in their final three games. Hiawatha found success in getting back to what they do well, defensive pressure and offensive rebounds turning into points. Hiawatha forced 13 Holton turnovers and had countless second chance opportunities at the rim in large part to the duo of Brockhoff and Senior Andrew Lierz. With three games to go, Hiawatha looks to duplicate what they did a season ago, end the regular season strong heading into sub state with aspirations to make some noise as they will host one 3A sub state the week of March 2nd.

SCORING

Holton – K. Purcell 12, R. Holaday 11, M. Lierz 8, B. Mulroy 8, E. Prine 7, C. Karn 5, T. Wright 5

Hiawatha – T. Brockhoff 21, A. Lierz 19, S. Meyer 7, A. Coffelt 6, M. Moreno 6, P. Winters 1