Hawks Come Out On Top Of Wild Finish

Wes Vork-NSO

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Jan 7, 2012

Wes Vork-NSO

HERMANTOWN – Usually hitting a buzzer beater shot as the clock runs out is what it takes to win a close game. Against Crosby-Ironton on Saturday, Hermantown needed two such shots. Fortunately for the Hawks, Kole Zuidmulder was able to produce two such shots, one at the end of the half and another as time wound down in regulation to help give Hermantown a thrilling one point 65-64 win over the Rangers.

After the game, Hermantown Head Coach Mike Pothast talked about the abilities, in addition to low post scoring his 6-5 freshman possesses. “(Passing) is actually one of his better traits. It’s pretty crazy to see us put our 6-5 freshman in the middle of a press break, but he’s a big target and he makes good decisions. He does have his freshman moments but he’s impressive for a freshman. He also has a nice outside shot, but we tell him you live in the paint.”

The first half began with both teams feeling each other out in a tight game that featured more than a half dozen ties in the score. With the game tied at 9-9, C-I made a minor 7-2 run to take a 16-11 lead; then the Hermantown defense stepped up and took a charge, wiping out a Ranger basket and stemming a larger run. The tough defensive play fired up the Hawks and spurred a 6-0 Hermantown run, giving them a 17-16 lead and forcing a Ranger timeout.

A basket and foul shot by Michael Hoge with :44 seconds remaining appeared to have capped the first half back and forth play and put the Rangers up 29-25. However, in a preview of things to come at the end of the game and with :02 seconds remaining, Alex Comstock hit a difficult circus shot to cut the C-I lead to two points and was fouled. Comstock missed the “and1” shot but Zuidmulder was right there with the put back to tie the score at 29 all and bring the team and crowd to life headed into halftime.

Much like the first half the second stanza looked like a heavyweight fight with each team answering the other in the scoring department. Then, with the Hawks down by one point, Corey Anderson took over and scored on the next three consecutive trips down the floor to put the Hawks ahead 44-39. A long range 3-pointer from Kevin Folman and tough inside play by Zuidmulder helped the Hawks maintain a four point lead down to the final minute.

With victory in sight, the kill the clock drill did not work out exactly as planned for the Hawks, who turned the ball over on three consecutive possessions which led to five points off turnovers and a three point 64-61 hole for the locals.

Using a bit more composure on the next trip down, Hermantown cut the lead to a single point with an Anderson basket with :12 seconds remaining. Good defense on the Rangers inbound pass created a loose ball, and as Anderson hopped on the loose ball, Coach Pothast immediately called for and got a timeout and the ball back and give the Hawks another chance.

“I called for the timeout when I saw Corey going after (the ball). I mentioned to the officials beforehand that we have two timeouts left so if anything happens I’m going to scream for it immediately, so they gave it to us,” explained Coach Pothast.

Anderson explained that it was a team effort that led to forcing the crucial turnover. “We don’t have a particular play, that was just good on the ball defense by all five guys, Hermantown wanted the ball more and we got it.” “When I saw coach got the timeout it was just a great feeling because now we have a shot.”

Coming out of the timeout, Hermantown ran a play to get Anderson the ball and a run to the basket. Having scored 25 points already in the contest, Anderson was no secret to the Rangers who played tight defense on him. While Anderson was able to get a shot off, it bounced out with Zuidmulder grabbing the rebound and putting up a ball that bounced off the rim also. Not to be denied Zuidmulder got his own rebound and hit the successful put-back to give Hermantown the 65-64 win and send the Hawks faithful onto the court in celebration.

“Kole has been getting better and better, he’s getting stronger and to think he still has another three years left,” explained Anderson. “We set up a play to get to the basket, but if I can’t get there it is great to know he’s there for the rebound.”

Leading the Hawks was Anderson with the previously mentioned 25 points, followed by Zuidmulder with 21. Joining them in double figures was Kevin Folman with 11 points, while Alex Comstock and Cade Zacharias rounded out the Hawks scoring with 4 points each.

Caleb Baker led the Rangers in scoring with 19 points. He was joined by three others in double figures with Daniel Hudrlik scoring 14, Michael Hoge 13, and Will Goodwin with12 points. Jacob Goodwin scored 4 points and Jordan Reynolds finished off the C-I scoring with 2 points.

Saturday’s wild finish comes just a day
after the Hawks picked up a 53-49 come-from -behind victory at Duluth Marshall.
Anderson once again led the scoring barrage gainst Marshall
with 17 points. The Hawks also got important minutes from sophomores Justin Brenden, Cade Zacharias, and Alex Schmies to go with the stellar defense of Alex Comstock. Parker Anderson added a hue 3-pointer to tie the game with less than five minutes left in the contest.

The win gives the Hawks eight wins on the season against only three losses. They will be back on the hard-court on Tuesday when they travel to Virginia in what should be another dandy match-up.

Wes Vork can be reached at wes@northlandsportsonline.com