Chieftains get clawed by Cats and Falcons

Dec. 15 vs. Birchwood conference (L 55-49)

It’s been a rough start to the season for the Lake Holcombe boys basketball program, as they traveled to take on two tough conference opponents this week.

Heading to Birchwood, Lake Holcombe was able to keep pace with the Bobcats in the first half, going into halftime down by eight. In the second half, the Chieftains picked up the pace and outscored Birchwood by two. It wasn’t enough before time ran out and Lake Holcombe dropped the match, 55-49. Senior Brock Flater led the way for the Chieftains, with two shots from beyond the arc, for 14 points. Fellow senior Tate Sauerwein also made a three-point shot, ending with 12 points, while junior Dylan Bowen had 11 points, including several threepoint shots.

Senior Kaden Crank ended the night with 6 points, junior Nate Jones finished with 4 and junior Sam Ewer added 2 points.

Dec. 18 vs. Flambeau conference (L 60-46)

Lake Holcombe was back in action before the weekend, this time heading the short distance to Flambeau.

“After losing three starters from last year’s team, we are having to learn to play together again,” said coach Joy Webster.

Flambeau jumped out to a 10-point lead at the end of the first half and while scoring was better for Lake Holcombe in the second half, the Falcons walked away with a 60-46 victory.

Flater and Crank led the team with 15 points each, with Flater knocking down threes for his points. Bowen and senior Riley Gingras chipped in with 5 points each, with a three-point shot coming from each.

Senior Will Kliegle added 4 points and Sauerwein added 2.

Gingras led the team with 8 assists, while Flater led the team with 7 rebounds, followed by Gingras and Crank with 5 rebounds each.

The loss puts the Chieftains at 0-3 on the year, and winless in the East Lakeland Conference.

“Each game has been better,” said Webster, “and I am confident this team will keep improving with each game and more experience.

Cutline: Lake Holcombe senior Kaden Crank goes in for a lay-up Dec. 18, as the Chieftains traveled to Flambeau. Lake Holcombe is still trying to shake off the rust, so the conference match-up went Flambeau’s way, 60-46. Photo by Todd Roehl