July 18, 2025

First half run powers Norsemen by Tigerhawks

By Dustin Turner

Colfax-Mingo’s Michael Deal (42) goes up for a shot over Roland-Story’s Zach Hovick during the second quarter of C-M’s loss to the Norse. Deal put up seven points for the Tigerhawks. (Dustin Turner)

COLFAX — In a rematch of Friday’s game, Colfax-Mingo’s Tigerhawks headed home to take on Roland-Story. Although the final score reflected a much closer game, the result was the same for C-M as the Tigerhawks took a 66-36 loss.

The first half was where the Norsemen took a big lead. R-S started the game out on an 8-0 run following a converted three-point play by junior Adam Shorkey, which prompted C-M coach John Borts to use a timeout.

Senior Nate Smith got the Tigerhawks on the board with a 3-pointer. R-S then went into a press, which forced several C-M turnovers. Senior Zach Hovick answered Smith’s three with one of his own. Colin Lourens pulled C-M within seven after going 1-of-2 at the free throw line, and the Tigerhawks began to press.

Sharp passing allowed R-S to move its way up the floor through the pressure. Senior guard Ben Clark got to the rim with a layup to make it 16-4 Norsemen. John Barclay hit a pair of free throws to close out the first quarter with the Norsemen ahead, 22-4.

Tyler Hovick hit a 3-pointer to open the second quarter for R-S. James Stoecker answered for C-M with a putback off an offensive rebound. Barclay responded with a three. Zach Hovick drained another 3-pointer, and R-S led 31-6. Jake Lietz nailed a jumper in the lane for C-M, but Zach Hovick drained another three.

Blake Summy found a cutting Jared Myers for two more C-M points. Jerlad Fritz got a runner to go off a baseline drive for R-S. Clark sank two free throws before halftime to close out the quarter with R-S ahead by 30, 44-14.

The Tigerhawks played R-S to a second-half stalemate. However, the 30-point loss still stings. With five games left before postseason play, the Tigerhawks are 0-17.

“I thought we played with much more energy defensively in the second half,” Borts said. “Offensively, we struggled in the first half. We need to get more post opportunities. We’ve progressed, but we still have a ways to go.”

The Tigerhawks take on Saydel at Saydel on Tuesday and return home Friday to play Collins-Maxwell/Baxter.

R-S 22-22-15-7 — 66

C-M 4-10-10-12 — 36

R-S — Zach Hovick 13, Clark 9, Barclay 6, Shorkey 5, Neil Upadhyay 4

C-M — Smith 8, Michael Deal 7, Lietz 6, Myers 5, Juan Gonzales 4, Lourens 3