Wolfpack Fall on the Road to Hartington-Newcastle
Launch the media gallery 1 playerWolfpack Fall on the Road to Hartington-Newcastle
The Tri County Northeast Wolfpack battled through a tough road test Thursday night but came up short against the Hartington‑Newcastle Wildcats, falling 68–52 in a non-conference varsity boys basketball matchup on January 15.
Hartington-Newcastle set the tone early, jumping out to a 16–8 first-quarter lead and carrying an 18–13 advantage in the second to take a 34–21 cushion into halftime. The Wildcats maintained steady pressure in the second half, matching TCNE point-for-point in the third quarter before closing the game with a 16–14 edge in the fourth.
Tri County Northeast finished the night shooting 30 percent from the field (19-of-64) and went 12-of-36 from three-point range. The Wolfpack connected on 50 percent of their free throws (2-of-4) and were outscored from the perimeter as Hartington-Newcastle capitalized on second-chance opportunities and efficient ball movement.
Individually, junior Landyn Servine led TCNE with 17 points while adding six rebounds and four assists in a strong all-around performance. Senior Thatcher Lamp chipped in 11 points and two rebounds, while junior Jude Ridenour added 14 points, 3 rebounds, a steal and a block. Devin Reinert provided a spark offensively with six points on efficient shooting.
On the glass, the Wolfpack collected 32 rebounds, including 14 on the offensive end, but struggled to convert consistently on put backs and open looks. TCNE also recorded 14 assists and seven steals but committed 17 turnovers, which Hartington-Newcastle turned into key scoring runs.
Despite the loss, Tri County Northeast showed flashes of resilience, particularly in the second half, as they continued to push the pace and compete against a disciplined Wildcat squad. The Wolfpack will look to build on the experience as they return to action and continue their regular-season schedule.