Huskies drop hard fought battle to Harlowton
Saturday night the Absarokee Huskies opened up the 2014-15 campaign against the Harlowton Engineers.
This was not only the first game of the season for these two teams but the only game in District 6-C. The game was a back and forth battle with each team claiming a 3-possession lead at some point in the game and the other team fighting back to regain the lead. When 32 minutes was up it was the Engineers who were on top by a final score of 42-35.
Absarokee took control out of the gate grabbing the early 6-2 lead with contributions coming from senior Trevor Smith, junior Calvin Hanson and sophomore Rily Livingston. However, the Engineers were not phased. They stormed back to win the quarter led by junior Jesse Tudor and sophomore Garrett Woldstad.
Absarokee responded in the second quarter with an excellent defensive effort, the Absarokee zone giving the Engineers trouble and forcing several turnovers that allowed us back into the game. The Huskies allowed just four points in the second quarter and cut Harlowton’s lead down to four at half time by a score of 19 to 15. Absarokee won the rebounding battle in the second quarter with key rebounds grabbed by juniors Bryce Oderman and Cooper Crabtree as well as freshman Roman Zugaza.
The Huskies were able to take control of the game in the third quarter led by junior guard Isaiah Mondragon, but it wouldn’t last. After building the lead to 26 – 21 the Engineers came storming back, extending their zone and getting the Huskies into uncomfortable situations. As a result they were able to create some turnovers which helped get them back in the game. The quarter ended in a deadlock with the teams tied at 27.
The fourth quarter began with Harlowton picking up right where they left off. They were able to push the lead to six points half way through the quarter and despite a gutsy effort by the Huskies to get back in it, Harlowton pulled away using free throws to secure the win by a final score of 42-35.
Despite the final outcome there was a lot for the Huskies to build on going forward. Absarokee will be in action again this weekend at the Reed Point/Rapelje Pre-Season Tournament. On Friday the Girls will take on Harrison at 2 p.m. and the Boys will play Yellowstone County Christian Home School at 3:30 p.m. On Saturday, both the boys and the girls will play conference games against Reed Point/Rapelje with the girls beginning at 5 p.m. and the boys at 6:30 p.m.
Harlowton 42, Absarokee 35
Harlowton
15 4 8 15 — 42
Absarokee
8 7 12 8 — 35
H: Jesse Tudor 12, Garrett Woldstad 20, Keelan Taber 2, Dalton Taber 8
A: Isaiah Mondragon 5, Bryce Oderman 2, Calvin Hanson 16, Trevor Smith 6, Rily Livingston 6