The Hatchet boys basketball team’s season was on the ropes in last Tuesday’s WIAA regional opener at Omro, but the boys rallied for a 42-39 triumph.
That set up Friday’s game at D3’s top-ranked Little Chute, where the Mustangs prevailed 55-25.
Tough defense gave THS a 6-3 lead through the first quarter, but Omro used a 13-0 run to help build a 16-8 halftime lead and another 12-5 push to go up 31-16 with 4:51 left in the third.
Tomahawk would rip off a 16-1 run of its own to tie it up at 32-32 with 6:00 to go.
The lead see-sawed from there. Jon Nyberg scored a turnover jumper for a 40-39 edge with a minute to go, then tipped an incoming pass for a turnover that led to two clinching Jared Jarvensivu free throws.
“It was a big win for us tonight, our kids had a ton of enthusiasm and desire to win,” THS coach Tim Albert said. “We never quit and were very composed when we faced the 15 point deficit. I thought our defensive intensity really amped up in the final four minutes of the third.
“We had kids step up tonight and hit some big shots. Jared, Jon, Fletcher (Schoone) and Jordan (Roessler) all hit big shots for us.”
THS contributions came from: Nyberg (9 p, 8 r, 4 st, 5 a, 2 bl); Jarvensivu (17 p, 3 a); Fletcher Schoone (6 p, 3 r); Lorne Ahrens (4 p, 4 r); and Roessler (4 p).
Tomahawk-FG: 16-31 (52%); FT: 5-7 (71%).
Bucking broncos
The Mustangs put Tomahawk in 18-5 and 29-9 holes after the first two quarters, but unlike Omro, left no breathing room for a Hatchet comeback.
Little Chute used a 17-6 third quarter to push the difference to 46-15.
The Hatchets did manage a 10-9 edge in the fourth quarter.
“They are a very talented, athletic basketball team and they got after us from the opening tip,” Albert said. “I thought we did a pretty good job in our offensive execution, but we couldn’t convert on the opportunities that we got.
“They hit some tough, challenged shots in the third quarter and we still executed well, but didn’t hit the outside shots we got and couldn’t get any second chance opportunities because they rebound the basketball so well.
“We really battled and played hard to 32 minutes. We got some shots to fall in the fourth quarter and finished strong.”
Leading scorers were: Ahrens (9), Jarvensivu (7) and Nyberg (7).
THS ended up 11-13 on the season.
“We had a great year, with an outstanding group of student athletes,” Albert said. “The kids worked hard all season long and we improved throughout the season. Five of our 13 losses were by six points or less to real good teams. Those close losses helped us in our playoff win and will help us as we continue to turn the corner with our basketball program.
“Jon Nyberg is one of the best rebounders we’ve ever had and almost averaged a double-double this year. He became a great leader for us as the season progressed. He’ll be greatly missed, not only as a basketball player, but as a great person and teammate.”
“We’ve got a great group of kids coming back next year that have a ton of experience and we hope to continue to progress as a program. They need to continue to improve their skill set in the offseason so we can get over the .500 mark next season, improve our GNC standing and hopefully host a home playoff game.”