HNS Wildcats earn an OT win over Wynot boys

HARTINGTON — It took overtime for Friday’s contest between the Hartington-Newcastle Wildcats and the Wynot Blue Devils to be decided.

“The game was intense from start to finish,” said HNS Coach Nick Haselhorst.

After digging themselves into a big hole in the first half the Blue Devils rallied after halftime to send the game into overtime but did not have enough energy left to pull this one out as the Wildcats hit eight freethrows in the extra quarter to pull off the upset win 53-49.

The Wildcats overcame foul trouble to send the game in extra time. An aggressive attack led Hartington-Newcastle to take 36 free throws compared to Wynot’s 17.

Jake Peitz led the way for the Wildcats with 17 points while Bennet Sievers chipped in with 12 points and Kobe Heitman hit for 10 points.

“Our defensive awareness and intensity were the key to the game. We demonstrated tremendous poise and purpose on both sides of the floor to begin the game and built a sizable lead. We knew we’d have to sustain our physicality on rebounds and ability to handle Wynot’s inbound pressure. Wynot forced us into several turnovers on the inbounds but were resilient after those turnovers and rarely allowed them to turn those into points.”

The Blue Devils struggled behind the arc going only 5-23 and from the charity stripe connecting on 9-17 tosses. HartingtonNewcastle went 22-35 from the line to earn the big win.

Wynot was led by a trio of double-figure scorers led by Peyton Wieseler with 12 points. Charlie Schroeder finished with a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds and Anthony Haberman helped out with 10 points.

The Blue Devils could not find the basket in the first quarter.

Hartington-Newcastle came ready to play as they went on a 16-4 run to open the game. Jake Peitz led the way with eight points and Kobe Heitman and Bennett Sievers both drained 3-pointers to lead the charge.

Sievers and Riley Sudbeck both connected for four points and Jake Peitz added three more points to his totals in the second quarter. Wynot stayed in the game with five points each by Jack Kuchta and Peyton Wieseler as the Wildcats maintained a 28-19 halftime advantage.

The Blue Devils climbed back into the game in the third quarter as they went on a 12-6 run led by six points by Charlie Schroeder and 4 more points by Peyton Wieseler as the score tightened up to 34-31 with one quarter left.

Kobe Heitman gave the Wildcats an early boost in the final quarter with seven points but then fouled out. Anthony Haberman led the rally with nine points and Charlie Schroeder had a putback to help out. Haberman would hit the back end of a 1 and 1 to tie the game and send it into overtime.

Tristan Heimes hit a mid range jumper to give Wynot the 45-44 lead but that was the last field goal for the Blue Devils. Hartington - Newcastle got all eight of their points in the overtime from the free throw line as they took the 53-49 win.

Wynot plays Laurel-Coleridge-Concord next Friday for their final regular season game, while HNS takes on Randolph. The Wildcats are now 7-13 as they head into their season finale Friday at home against Randolph.

Wynot 4 15 12 14 4 — 49

Hart-New 16 12 6 11 8 — 53

SCORING

HNS - Jake Peitz, 17; Bennett Sievers, 12; Kobe Heitman,10; Riley Sudbeck, 5; Isaac Bruning, 3; Seth Pinkelman, 3; Turner Dendinger, 2; Lane Heimes, 1. Wynot-Peyton Wieseler 12, Charlie Schroeder 12, Anthony Haberman 11, Jack Kuchta 7, Trystan Heimes 4, Owen Sudbeck 2, Garrett Lange 1. HartingtonNewcastle — Jake Peitz 17, Bennet Sievers 12, Kobe Heitman 10, Rylie Sudbeck 5, Issac Bruning 3, Seth Pinkelman 3, Turner Dendinger 2, Lane Heimes 1.

REBOUDNDS

HNS - Bennett Sievers, 8; Jake Peitz, 7; Riley Sudbeck, 5; Kobe Heitman, 4; Seth Pinkelman, 2; Lane Heimes, 1.

ASSISTS

HNS - Isaac Bruning, 3; Jake Peitz, 2; Kobe Heitman, 1; Seth Pinkelman, 1; Lane Heimes, 1; Riley Sudbeck, 1.

STEALS

HNS - Jake Peitz, 4; Kobe Heitman, 3; Bennett Sievers, 2; Seth Pinkelman, 1.

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