Lake Holcombe heading toward top of conference

The Lake Holcombe boys basketball squad completed a trifecta over the week, taking on a couple tough challenges.

Jan. 19 vs. New Auburn conference (W 55-46)

New Auburn came to visit for a conference clash, outscoring the Chieftains in the first half, 25-19. Not to be outdone, Lake Holcombe stepped up their game to best the Trojans, 26-21, claiming a 55-46 victory.

“Riley (Gingras) and Tate (Sauerwein) had great second halves, putting up all their points in the second half,” said coach Joy Webster.

The senior Gingras and fellow senior Kaden Crank, were strong on the boards, combining for 22 rebounds. Junior Colton Minnick led the team with 3 assists, while teammates combined for 18 steals.

Minnick also had 10 points, including a three-point shot, followed by senior Brock Flater, who also added a three, for 9 points. Gingras also knocked a shot from beyond the arc, ending with 9 points. Junior Dylan Bowen also connected from three-point land – twice – ending with 8 points.

Crank and Sauerwein each scored 7 points, followed by senior Will Kliegle, with 5 points.

Jan. 22 vs. Flambeau conference (W 63-58)

“This will definitely be a game to remember, for both myself and these boys,” said Webster.

Taking on Flambeau, Lake Holcombe had a rough start to the first half, ending at the break down, 31-18.

“Trailing 48-28, with 10:37 to go in the game, these boys decided they weren’t going to quit and all dug a little deep- er,” said Webster. “The rally started by back-to-back threes by Bowen and Flater. That, combined with great full-court pressure defense, led to one of the biggest comebacks in Lake Holcombe basketball.”

Webster says Gingras, Crank and Kliegle also hit some key buckets, in the comeback, while Minnick did a great job controlling the offense and leading the team.

Minnick led with 6 assists, followed by Flater and Crank, with 4 and 3, respectively. Gingras led the team with 9 rebounds, followed by Crank, with 8, and Flater, with 6.

Full-court defense was led by Minnick and Flater, with 5 steals each, followed by Gingras, with 4, and Crank, with 3.

“Sauerwein put some key minutes in off the bench, to help sustain the run when Crank was on the bench with five fouls,” said Webster.

Flater led all scorers, with a season high 27 points, including three shots from long range. Gingras added a three, ending with 10 points, followed by Bowen, whose 9 points all came from beyond the arc.

Crank finished the night with 8, while Kliegle had 5 and Minnick put 4 points on the board.

“This game helped move the Chieftains into a tie for second place,” said Webster, “with keys games with first-place Bruce yet to come.”

Jan. 25 vs. Greenwood non-conference (W 51-42)

Stepping out of the conference, the Chieftains were paid a visit from Greenwood, where the first half saw the visiting team come out on top before halftime, 28-23. However, Lake Holcombe wouldn’t go down without a fight and stepped up their scoring in the second half.

Greenwood tried to keep up, but as the clock wound down and the Chieftains went to the free throw line, it was clear the game belonged to the home team. The final score stood at 51-42, improving Lake Holcombe’s record to 6-6 overall and 3-2 in East Lakeland Conference action.

Crank led on the night, with 15 points, followed by Gingras, with 12.

Kliegle and Flater came next, with 8 points each, including a three-point shot from Flater. Bowen also hit two, threepointers, for his 6 points. Minnick completed the scoring, with 2 points.