HNS boys top Wynot in L&C Tny. opener
PONCA — Hartington-Newcastle squeezed out a close win over the Wynot Blue Devils in first round action of the Lewis and Clark Conference Tournament Monday.
The Wildcats came out on top 39-36 in the defensive battle that saw both teams struggle on the offensive end of the court.
Lackluster three-point shooting by the Blue Devils, who were only 2 for 13 from behind the arc, and sub-par free throw shooting by the Wildcats, who were 11 for 24 from the line, kept this game close all the way to the final buzzer.
Wynot was led by the inside play of Garrett Lange who led all scorers with 13 points. Peyton Wieseler got all of his seven points in the second half for the Blue Devils.
Hartington got steady play from Shaye Morten who connected for 12 points and Matthew Meisenheimer had a good first half to contribute eight points to the Wildcats win.
In the opening quarter it was a slow start for both teams. Anthony Haberman and Garrett Lange each hit a pair of buckets for Wynot.
Hartington-Newcastle got five points from Shaye Morten to lead them to a slim 9-8 advantage.
In the second quarter Haberman dumped in seven more points for the Blue Devils. Matthew Meisenheimer powered in six points in the paint as the Wildcats hung on to an 20-18 halftime lead.
The third quarter saw the Blue Devils rally early with a trey by Peyton Wieseler and four points inside from Garrett Lange.
The Wildcats kept the lead thanks to three pointers by Kobe Heitman and Sam Harms.
Hartington-Newcastle took a 32-27 lead into the final period.
In the final eight-minute stretch, Wynot would claw their way back behind a pair of buckets by Peyton Wieseler and a rebound and put-back by Garrett Lange.
Hartington was held to a single field goal by Shaye Morten but hit just enough free throws in the final minutes.
Two free throws by Hunter Heimes cut the lead to one point. Issac Bruning went 2 for 4 from the line to give the Wildcats a one point lead.
Wynot missed their final attempt with 3.5 seconds left on the clock and the Wildcats hit a pair of free throws to escape with the 39-37 win.
Wynot 8 10 9 9 — 36 Hart – New 9 11 12 7 —39
Hart-New Wynot FG 13-42 14-41 3PT 2-13 2-11 FT 11-24 5-8 Reb 26 20 TO 13 15
SCORING Wynot- Garrett Lange 13, Peyton Wieseler 7, Anthony Haberman 10, Hunter Heimes 6. Hart-New- Shaye Morten 12, Matthew Meisenheimer 10, Sam Harms 7, Kobe Heitman 3, Shay Dickes 2, Issac Bruning 2, Dylan Dendinger 2.
REBOUNDS
Wynot- Anthony Haberman 8, Garrett Lange 6. Hartington-Newcastle- Kobe Heitman 7,Sam Harms 5.