Holyoke High School boys basketball team members for the 2018-19 season are pictured from left, front row, manager Luke Sprague, Alec Sprague, Carlos Legarreta, Gage Sprague, Jalen Hunter, Cameron Skager, Marco Mendoza, Ivan Ponce, Erick Marroquin and manager Yovanny Ramirez; second row, Slaten Burris, Emmanuel Vasquez, Ethan Johnson, coach Ernie Kinnie, coach Marcus Kammer, Kaison Kinnie, Isaiah Houghtelling and Aaron Sierra; third row, Alexis Vega, Mason Vernon, Miles Sprague, Blake Mosenteen, Fabian Gonzales, Isaiah Gifford, Cade Killin and Michel Perez; and back row, Mason King, Joey Beckner, Caleb Deaver, Jaime Avila, Colby Purkeypile and Alejandro Rojas. Not pictured is manager Tyson Mosenteen. — Jim Powell Photography
Holyoke makes ‘inspirational’ showing against Yuma’s formidable boys team
Before Holyoke High School basketball even set out for Yuma on Jan. 25, it seemed that everyone knew YHS was ranked one of the best teams in the state. The host team was expected to deliver a sensational performance, but many were surprised by how well the Dragons played against their opponents.
“We played very inspirational basketball,” coach Marcus Kammer said. “We never let up and applied a lot of pressure.” Though the Dragons ultimately lost 65-43, Kammer said it was the best effort he’s seen from his players in the second half of the season.
“If we can build confidence off of this game, I believe we will turn things around this week,” he added.
In the first quarter of the Friday game, HHS scored 10 while giving up 18 points to Yuma. By halftime, Yuma had extended its lead to 37-18. The Dragons did manage to outscore YHS in the third quarter, but still trailed by 16 going into the final period. Yuma posted another 19 and Holyoke 13 for a final score of 65-43.
Holyoke’s shooting efforts were led by Miles Sprague and Blake Mosenteen who scored 10 point apiece. Mosenteen also led the team with eight rebounds.
Though Kammer would have liked to see Holyoke do better from the free-throw line, the two teams were quite evenly matched in that regard. HHS made 13 of 24 attempted, and YHS made 16 of 29.
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