Winterset knocks out Cyclones in substate opener

First-half turnovers plague HCHS boys... second-half rally short-lived in 67-51 loss... Osborn future unknown

 CARROLL (Feb. 18) -- For about half of the third quarter on Monday night, the Harlan Community boys basketball team appeared at least close to hitting on all cylinders.
 The other 28 minutes - more often than not - were a struggle.
 Plagued by 14 first-half turnovers, the Cyclones trailed 31-20 at the break, then cut a 13-point deficit down to three in the third but couldn’t sustain the momentum of a 15-5 run, falling to Winterset 67-51 in a Class 3A, Substate 8 quarterfinal game in Carroll.
 It was a sudden ending to an up-and-down season for HCHS (11-9), which played in 10 games decided by eight points or less. The Cyclones won seven straight games on the heels of a 2-4 start but finished up by losing five of their last seven.
 “We were on absolute fumes,” said HCHS coach Mitch Osborn. “You’ve got to give Winterset credit, but... we just looked worn out... We did get back in it. We made a run, but we just couldn’t get over the hump.
 “We finished 11-9 and I told our guys afterward I thought we had a great year. We won a lot of close games and we were in a lot of games, and really this one just got away from us at the end. I think these guys did a great job and I’m very pleased with everybody.”
 Monday didn’t necessarily feel like Osborn’s last game as the Cyclones’ head coach, but his future is certainly “in limbo.” Osborn announced his retirement in January (effective June 30) as the school’s activities director and boys basketball coach; however, he will have an opportunity to reapply for the coaching job later this year and hasn’t ruled out a return to the position.
 Osborn’s 22-year record at HCHS is 423-116, including state titles in 2004 and 2006. Combined with stops at Elk Horn-Kimballton and Pomeroy-Palmer, Osborn is 689-165 overall with three state titles, ranking fourth in state history for career wins.
 Brett Sears, one of 10 Cyclone seniors on the roster, played very well in his final game with 20 points (15 in the second half) on 8-of-11 shooting, 11 rebounds and three steals. Michael Heithoff scored nine points off the bench (seven in the first half) and added five boards, followed by Klinkefus with eight points and Monson six.
 Easton Darling, who scored on some athletic baseline drives in the second half, led the Huskies with 19 points. Casey Kleemeier totaled 13 points and nine rebounds. Winterset improved to 14-6 overall and also beat state-ranked teams from Carroll and Denison to qualify for state.

 
 

 

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