Boys basketball: Tigers split at Hastings

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The Farmington boys basketball team followed up its most lopsided loss of the season with what head coach Shane Wyandt called “a better half than we’ve played all season” on the second day of the Hastings Holiday Tournament last Wednesday.

The Tigers, after being outmanned by fifth-ranked (Class 4A) Eastview 73-45 on Tuesday, surged to a 43-22 halftime lead against host Hastings and held on 71-51 for their second win over the Raiders in 20 days.

“We were forcing a lot of turnovers. Our defense was really good and they were having a hard time against our pressure,” said Wyandt, whose team forced 26 turnovers. “Even with their two starters back from injury (since the Dec. 9 game), our plan was still to keep the pressure on and that seemed to work.”

Senior Alex Michels had a monster game for the Tigers, scoring 23 points, grabbing 13 rebounds and blocking seven shots. He helped mount a 30-17 team rebounding advantage.

Sebren Baer joined Michels in double figures with 14 points and Nick Varner added nine points.

The Tigers (3-4) will have to begin to make some adjustments during this week’s road games at North St. Paul and St. Paul Harding after senior point guard Elliot Fenske was lost with a knee injury late in the Hastings game. Wyandt said Fenske may be done for the year and that several players are candidates to fill in at the guard spot.

“It’s going to be interesting to see who can step up and start to fill that role,” he said. “Several kids will get a shot and we’ll figure out what it’s going to look like.”

Tags: boys basketball, sports, farmington, tigers, prep