By: Donovan W. Mann – donovanm@977thebolt.com
Humboldt, IA – Humboldt High School boys basketball wins a thrilling conference opener against Clear Lake at home Friday Night.
On Friday, Dec. 11, the Wildcats hosted the defending North Central Conference Champions, the Clear Lake Lions, for a battle of two 2-0 teams. It was a Humboldt victory of 54-46 in a game that was back and forth through the full 32 minutes.
Thanks to five early points from guard Will Orness of the bench, Humboldt grabbed the early advantage in the first quarter up 14-7 after one. Clear Lake managed to get closer in the second quarter when the outscored Humboldt 13-9 but the Wildcats led going into the locker rooms 23-20.
The Lions struck hard in the third quarter as they outscored Humboldt for the second straight quarter (16-12) to take a lead into the final quarter 36-35. The Wildcats didn’t back down from the challenged however. In the fourth Humboldt was able to get scoring from five different players including guard Gabe Gidel who had six in the quarter to take the advantage and win the game 54-46.
Humboldt’s guard Caden Matson led the Wildcats in scoring with 14 points on the evening (tied for the game high). Also scoring double digits for the home team was Orness with 12 off the bench and Gidel with eleven.
Clear Lake was led by guard Carson Toebe who matched Matson’s 14 points. The only other Lion with double-digit scoring was Andrew Formanek who had eleven.
A final stat report from Humboldt’s game against Clear Lake can be found on Varsity Bound.
Following the win Humboldt boys basketball is now 3-0 on the season. This was the first NCC game for Humboldt who starts their conference season 1-0. Next up for Humboldt will be a road game against Algona on Tuesday, Dec. 15. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:45 pm.
Featured photo courtesy of Rick Thompson.