The Tomahawk boys basketball team bounced back from last Tuesday’s 45-26 loss to Rhinelander by edging out Crandon 52-50 on Friday for their second win of the new season.
“It was a really great win for us on Friday night, especially since we came from behind by nine points,” THS coach Tim Albert said. “The kids never quit and we really had great leadership from Andy Firkus and James Kinnally. When we needed a basket, those two found ways to score for us.
“I thought James played his best game of the year. He made some great post moves and hit a big 15-footer when we needed a basket.”
Late foul shots locked down the win.
“We have struggled in the first couple games with our free throw shooting, but did a great job on Friday night,” Albert said. “We were 5-for-6 in the fourth, and Troy (Timm) and Jared (Jarvensivu both) hit a key 2-for-2 down the stretch to seal the victory.”
Jarvensivu closed out the second and third quarters with last-second three-pointers, the former for a 17-16 lead and the latter to tie it 36-36.
“Those were big momentum swings for us,” Albert said.
Kinnally and Jarvensivu gave 11 points, and Firkus (10), Kyle Bartz (7), Tyler Jones (5), Timm (4) and Jon Nyberg (4) contributed.
Hodag heat
Rhinelander took charge of Tuesday’s game with 13-6 and 10-2 quarters, and after a 9-8 THS edge, a 14-9 fourth.
“We continue to improve, but we have some areas defensively that we need to resolve,” Albert said. “We allow our opponent too many fast break opportunities.”
Firkus (14 p, 5 r) led the way, and Bartz (7 p, 8 r), Kinnally (7 r, 4 bl), Jones (3 p, 4 r) and Jarvensivu (3 r) chipped in.
Tomahawk-FG: 11-48 (23%); FT: 3-8 (38%).
THS is now 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the GNC.