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HARTINGTON - Hartington-Newcastle dropped a couple of games as the Wildcats embarked in the inaugural Greater Northeast Activities Conference Tournament Feb. 4 and Feb. 7.
The ‘Cats lost a 63-41 decision to 14-5 Elkhorn Valley in the opening round then dropped a consolation game to Lutheran High Northeast 57-42.
The Wildcats and Eagles hooked up for the second time this season with Lutheran High winning 46-28 back on Dec. 28 in the Hartington- Newcastle Holiday Tournament. The Eagles took this game as well by the 15-point margin.
LHNE got off to a fast start, posting a 19-7 advantage at the end of the first eight minutes. The Wildcats nibbled into the lead in the second frame by a point, sending the teams to the halftime recess with the Eagles in front, 33-22.
The deficit increased by a touchdown in the third before HNS whittled it down in the final period, but not near enough.
Mason Krause had a more than solid game for the Wildcats, posting a double-double with 15 points and pulling down a dozen rebounds. Cole Rosener added 12 points and Brayden Lammers swatted four blocks.
The Falcons turned back Hartington-Newcastle by the 22-point margin.
The ‘Cats started the game right in the mix, trailing by three at the end of one and just a bucket at the intermission.
Unfortunately, Elkhorn Valley had a strong second half, adding 22 points to the advantage to come away with the victory.
Krause also paced the Wildcats in this game with 11 points, Austin Sudbeck tacked on 10 and Cole Rosener added seven.
Lammers hauled down seven missed shots while Kelly had six.
The Wildcats are set to entertain 18-2 Wausa on Feb. 11 and will host Wynot, fresh off its Lewis & Clark Conference title on Feb. 14.
HNS (7-12) 7 15 7 13 - 42 LHNE (12-8) 19 14 16 8 - 57 HARTINGTON-NEWCASTLE: Cole Heimes 1-3 0-0 3; Austin Sudbeck 3-13 0-0 6; Carter Kelly 1-6 0-0 2; Keatyn Arens 0-3 0-0 0; Cole Rosener 3-12 6-8 12; Ayden Rosener 0-1 0-0 0; Brayden Lammers 1-7 2-5 4; Mason Krause 7-8 0-0 15. HNS (7-12) 12 10 6 13 - 41 EV (14-5) 15 9 16 23 - 63 HARTINGTON-NEWCASTLE: C. Heimes 0-2 0-0 0; Sudbeck 5-16 0-0 10; Will Feilmeier 0-1 0-0 0; Kelly 0-1 6-9 6; Arens 1-2 0-0 3; C. Rosener 2-7 3-8 7; A. Rosener 0-5 0-0 0; Lammers 2-7 0-0 4; Krause 5-7 1-2 11.
