By Jed Buelow
Tomahawk Leader Co-Editor, Sports and Nature Editor
Neither of the games might of ended how they wanted, but the good news is the Tomahawk boys’ basketball team showed signs of improvement and at times outplayed Rib Lake and Medford in a pair of losses last week.
On Tuesday Tomahawk hosted Rib Lake in a non-conference tilt at Hatchet Fieldhouse and fell by a score 67-39. For much of the first half Tomahawk held the lead until a tough Rib Lake team made a run late to take a 35-22 lead into the half.
“We just couldn’t seem to buy a basket and they seemed like they made everything they shot,” Jacob Jarvensivu stated of the run Rib Lake made to put the game away. “Overall, I thought this was our first let down in terms of having great energy. Rib Lake played harder than we did and it showed.”
The Hatchet offense was led by Drew Bolder as he finished with 19 points. Big guys Connor Dichsen scored 6 and Payton Bunce had 5 points.
On the road Friday, Tomahawk actually outscored Medford 27-25 in the second half, but it again wasn’t enough, as the Raiders outscored the Hatchets 30-9 in the first half to get the 55-36 conference win.
“We played our best game of the season. We held them to 55 points total and won the second half,” Jarvensivu sadi. “Their pressure got to us a little in the first half. We gave up 30 points in the first half, but only 14 of those were against our half-court defense. This team is beginning to find their identity, and I couldn’t be prouder of our bounce back game in terms of effort.”
The Hatchet offense was led by P. Bunce as he finished with 11 points. D. Bolder scored 8 and Nick Kahle finished with 5.
Tomahawk is back in action tonight (Tuesday) as they travel to Lakeland for a GNC tilt before heading into the holiday break and a holiday tournament being held at Almond-Bancroft Dec. 27-28.