Hugoton boys rally to top Holcomb in overtime

Courtesy of Benjamin Hutchinson
Kingman, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–The Holcomb Longhorns fell short in overtime to the Hugoton Eagles in round two of sub-state 49-46.
Holcomb was without Daegan Vanpelt due to concussion protocol and would need other players
to step up against a good Hugoton team. The Longhorns started slow and would be down 6-2
with four minutes to go in the first quarter. The Longhorns would fight back in it and a buzzer
beater by Cooper Autry from three would get Holcomb within two points 12-10 after one quarter.
Braxton Sizemore got going in the second quarter with six points, but Carson Bennett had a big
first half with 11 points. Holcomb would be down at halftime 23-19. The Longhorns came out
strong on defense in the third quarter only allowing seven points and Luke Tolbert had 10 points in
the frame. The Longhorns would take a 33-30 lead into the fourth, but Hugoton would not go
away. Holcomb was unable to make free throws with several one and one opportunities
down the stretch. Hugoton tied it up 41-41 with 30 seconds to go on a big 16-footer from Carson
Bennett. The Longhorns would get the final possession and Damon Mesa had a drive at the
basket and just could not get it in and we would go to overtime. Hugoton would get the lead and
then go 6/8 from the foul line in overtime. They would have a 48-43 lead with about 15 seconds
to go in the game. Kaden Johnson would hit a big deep three-pointer to get within two points at 48-
46. Hugoton would go 1/2 at the line so the lead was 49-46 with six seconds left. Kaden Johnson
would get another big look from three to tie it and force a second overtime, but he missed it and the
Longhorns lost 49-46 in overtime to Hugoton.
Hugoton shot 14/28 from two-point, 4/13 from three-point, and 9/12 from the free throw line. The Eagles had 28 rebounds, five of those were offensive rebounds. They had 12 turnovers. Hugoton was led by
Emmet Gaskill with eight points, Gavin Williams with 11 points and six rebounds, and Carson Bennett
with 19 points and six rebounds.
Holcomb shot 9/34 from two-point, 7/22 from three-point, and 5/15 from the free throw line. The Longhorns had 29 rebounds, 11 of those were offensive rebounds, and had nine turnovers.
Holcomb was led by Cooper Autry with seven points and five rebounds, Luke Tolbert with 10 points,
Kaden Johnson with 11 points and three, threes, and Braxton Sizemore with 12 points and 10
rebounds for a double-double.
The Longhorns season ends with a 17-5 record on the season.

Coach Chad Novack Postgame