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HARTINGTON — The Hartington-Newcastle Wildcats picked up a win and suffered two defeats during action last week.
HNS dropped a 69-47 decision to one of the best teams in the state when they laced it up against Humphrey Archangels. HNS then split a pair of Greater Northeast Nebraska Activities Conference games, defeating Tri County Northeast 68-52 and falling to Lutheran High Northeast 67-49.
The Wildcats were tested immediately in the week’s opener against Humphrey Archangels, a team that showed why it is regarded among the state’s elite. Archangels raced to a 23-15 firstquarter lead and continued to pour it on with a 25-point second quarter to take a 4828 advantage at halftime.
Hartington-Newcastle battled offensively but struggled to slow Humphrey’s pace and efficiency, as Archangels outscored the Wildcats 20-10 in the third quarter to pull away.
Austin Sudbeck led HNS with 20 points, consistently creating scoring chances against the aggressive Archangels defense. Carter Kelly provided strong support with 14 points, while Mason Krause added eight.
Kelly also led the ‘Cats on the boards with eight rebounds, while Krause pulled down six. HNS got a boost in ball movement, dishing out 13 assists as a team, led by Colton Cavanaugh with three and multiple players with two apiece, including Kelly, Sudbeck, Keatyn Arens and Krause.
Defensively, Sudbeck led the way with three steals, while Jefferson Ruiz, Will Feilmeier and Krause each recorded one.
The Wildcats responded well in conference play, earning a 68-52 win over Tri County Northeast in a game that showcased one of their best offensive performances of the season. HNS jumped on Tri County early, taking a 16-8 lead after the opening quarter, then maintained control with steady scoring in each period.
Sudbeck turned in a monster outing, pouring in 32 points to pace the Wildcats. He was aggressive from the opening tip and remained the focal point throughout, consistently converting in transition and in the halfcourt.
Krause added 12 points and had a huge night on the glass with 11 rebounds, while Kelly had 10 rebounds and four points. Colton Cavanaugh scored seven and also had an impact defensively, leading HNS with four steals.
Hartington-Newcastle created extra possessions all night, finishing with 16 steals as a team. Cavanaugh’s four were joined by three from Will Feilmeier, two each from Sudbeck and Krause, and one apiece from Arens and McCray.
Sudbeck also distributed the ball effectively, finishing with five assists.
The ‘Cats finished the week with a 67-49 loss to Lutheran High Northeast, a game that turned on a difficult opening quarter. HNS managed just seven points in the first period while Lutheran High poured in 21, creating a deficit the Wildcats spent the rest of the night trying to erase.
Sudbeck led HNS with 12 points, though scoring was more balanced in the loss. Krause and Max McCray each scored nine.
