Monday BOYS = Hiawatha 54, Riverside 42

In their third meeting of the season, the #6 seed Hiawatha boys avenged a pair of single digit losses and knocked off Riverside to advance back to home court in the 3A Sub State Semifinals on Thursday.  Both teams made just one field goal in the first quarter but for Hiawatha it was a trey by senior, Jacob Barnhart that gave the Hawks a 5-4 lead that would never relinquish. 

Hiawatha made four more long bombs in the second quarter to go up 25-10 at halftime and never allowed the Cyclones to get closer than seven points in the second half.  The Redhawks made 28 of 40 free throws on the night, including 18 in the final quarter to protect the lead and improve to 8-13 on the season. 

Riverside ended their campaign with an 11-10 record but lost five of their last six games and played without second leading scorer, Levi Crespo.  Senior, Jadon LaRue was the only player to score for the Cyclones with 10 points in the first half, while Grant Shue came to life and scored all 18 of his points in the second half.  Riverside had three starters foul out in the fourth period and made just 6 of 22 free throws in the contest. 

Joseph Kunkel was the Citizens State Bank and Trust Company of Hiawatha "Player to Bank On" with 16 points, including 13 of 19 accuracy at the charity stripe.  Seniors, Ethan Pierce and Troy May each finished with 10 points as Hiawatha won for the fourth time in their last five games and will try a third shot at Nemaha Central on Thursday in the Roundhouse.  The Thunder beat Pleasant Ridge in the opening round 77-52. 

Tuesday GIRLS = Hiawatha  62, Pleasant Ridge 37

The Hiawatha girls used a huge size advantage to dominate the boards and Emily Gartner scored 29 points in three quarters as the #4 seed Lady Redhawks cruised to an opening round Sub State win on their home floor.  After a 2-0 Pleasant Ridge lead, Hiawatha went on an 8-0 run and never looked back.  Sydney Campbell hit a trey to put the Hawks ahead 33-21 at halftime and Hiawatha used a 21-11 blitz in the third quarter to seal the victory. 

Gartner was the "Player to Bank On," sponsored by the Citizens State Bank and Trust Company in Hiawatha adding 12 rebounds and 6 blocks to her 29 point effort in three quarters.  Molly Kettler added 9 points and Crystal Barbary had 8 as Hiawatha improved to 14-7 overall on the season.  They will take on Sabetha in the Friday semifinals after losing twice to the Bluejays earlier this year, but only a 47-44 setback in February. 

Pleasant Ridge lost their final four games of the season to finish the year 12-9.  Senior, Grace McKinney scored 15 points while Mallory Wagner added 13.  Freshman leader, Lindsey Heim, who averaged more than 15 points per game for the year, was held to just one point in the loss.