Mullen boys dominate Hawks to get back to State
VALENTINE - The Class D2 No. 3 Mullen Boys basketball team made quick work of Hay Springs 67-29 in the D2-1 District Final at Valentine on Feb. 27.
“It all started with our energy and intensity from the tip,” Mullen Coach Brad Wright said. “We were able to force a bunch of turnovers early that allowed us to get out in transition and get going early.”
It was all Broncos in the first, as Clayton Moore knocked down a jumper in the middle of the lane to make it 9-2. That was followed up by Trevor Kuncl making a three and extending the lead to 12-2.
After a shot made by Jaden Emerson, Mullen led 24-4 after the first quarter of action.
Moore continued to pick up where he left off in the second half, with a layup in the middle extending the Broncos edge. The Hawks finally got on the scoreboard with a three making the score 31-10.
Closing the quarter out with five more points was Moore. He was able to make a layup and he connected on a three giving Mullen a 36-13 halftime lead.
In the second half, the Broncos lead ballooned to 29 points. After a good pass inside to Bryce McIntosh for a layup, Mullen led 47-17.
To close out the third, the Broncos were able to get a second chance opportunity to go, putting them up 59-19.
Starting the final frame off with a bang, was Kuncl with another three. It was his fifth three-pointer of the game.
Continuing to add on to his point total was Emerson with a bucket up and in.
Coming off the bench and putting his mark on the game was freshman Ethan Hardin late. His three helped Mullen secure a 38 point victory.
Leading the Broncos with 23 points was Moore and Kuncl had 15 points on five made three-pointers. Also in double-figures was McIntosh with 10 points.
“It makes everything just a little easier for us and for opposing teams it makes things very difficult because they can’t just focus on one or two players,” Wright said. “We have a great core of guys who are willing to share the ball. We are doing a lot better job of making the extra passes to pass up a good shot for a great shot.”
The Broncos are the second seed in the D2 Boys State Basketball Tournament. They face Falls City Sacred Heart in the first round on March 10 at 4 p.m. at Lincoln East.
“This is pretty much the same group as last year and last year didn’t go as well as we would have liked,” Wright said. “Since the beginning of the year, this group has been completely locked in on getting back to state and finishing what we started last year. With their expectations high this year and being there last year they are pretty self-motivated. We just got to make sure we use this week to stay crisp and sharp at both ends of the court.”