Chieftains slip past Vikings
The Lake Holcombe boys were on familiar turf for the first home match of the season Dec. 22, going up against non-conference opponent Frederic.
The game was a close contest throughout, with back-andforth leads for both teams. Lake Holcombe went into halftime down by two and the second half proved a repeat of the first.
“Trailing by seven, with just 1:35 to go in the game, the Chieftains didn’t quit and Nate Jones came off the bench to give the Chieftains the defensive spark they needed,” said coach Joy Webster. “Tate Sauerwein then hit a big three with 37 seconds to go, to put us back in the game.”
Senior Kaden Crank then came up with a loose ball, with 12 seconds remaining. After a timeout from Lake Holcombe, Flater got the ball, but wasn’t open for the shot. After a pass to Sauerwein, Flater got open in the corner and with a pass back from Sauerwein, hit a three-pointer with 1.4 seconds remaining to put the Chieftains into overtime.
(To the left) Will Kliegle, Lake Holcombe senior, tries to find an open teammate Dec. 22, on his home court against Frederic. The contest was close, but it was Lake Holcombe who prevailed in an overtime win, 83-80.
“Nate’s pressure defense in OT, allowed the Chieftains to pull out a 83-80 victory over the Vikings,” said Webster.
Flater finished the night with 22 points, six of those from three-pointers, along with 10 rebounds, 4 steals and 4 assists. Crank had his best game of the season and ended with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 5 steals.
Sauerwein also knocked down a three and had 13 points. Junior Dylan Bowen came next, adding a pair of triples and finishing with 8 points. Senior Riley Gingras recorded 7 points, while junior Colton Minnick added 6 points and junior Nate Jones chipped in with 2.
The win improves Lake Holcombe to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in East Lakeland Conference play.
Cutline: Will Kliegle, Lake Holcombe senior, tries to find an open teammate Dec. 22, on his home court against Frederic. The contest was close, but it was Lake Holcombe who prevailed in an overtime win, 83-80. Photo by Ginna Young
