Cubs rally for ‘important’ win over Paynesville, pull away from Royalton

The Kimball Cubs boys’ basketball team headed into what head coach Jay Klein called a “great” conference match-up – one featuring two teams challenging for the top spot: the Cubs and the Paynesville Bulldogs.

In a back-and-forth affair, the Cubs would find themselves down 68-64 with about four minutes remaining. They responded by ending the game on a key 10-1 run to rally for the 74-69 home win on Thursday, Jan. 9.

“Our defense was -outstanding in the second half. I was very happy how we defended the three all night long,” Coach Klein said via email. “This was a very important game against a very good opponent.”

In the first half, neither team created much separation, not holding a lead larger than five points. The Cubs trailed 36-34 at halftime.

The second half featured much of the same, each team going on short runs to take leads. Coach Klein did take a timeout with his team trailing 53-48.

He highlighted how his team regrouped out of this timeout, going on a 9-0 run to take a 57-53 lead. The Bulldogs took a timeout and also regrouped out of it to retake the lead, setting up the late-game dramatics.

Brandon Henkemeyer led the Cubs with 16 points, including four made three-pointers. Each posting double-double performances, Jed Spaulding recorded 15 points and 13 rebounds, to go along with six assists; and Bryant Knaus recorded 14 points and 13 rebounds. Andray Stang scored 14 points, and Ronald Arnold 10 points, to also contribute to the Cubs’ balanced attack.

Royalton

Coming off a tight victory that featured many lead changes, the Cubs wasted little time jumping on the Royalton Royals, taking an early 9-0 lead. 

The Cubs took a 33-16 lead into halftime and never looked back in a 66-46 road win on Friday, Jan. 10. 

Coach Klein highlighted his group’s defense in the win, holding the Royals’ leading scorer to three points.

“It was a great team defensive effort. Royalton was very frustrated all night long,” Coach Klein said via email. “ Again we had nice balance in our scoring. It was a great way to end the week.” 

Holding that 17-point halftime lead, the Cubs pushed its lead to as high as 23 points, at 58-35, in the second half.

Leading the Cubs, Henkemeyer posted 21 points. Spaulding nearly recorded a triple-double with eight points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists. Stang and Bryant Knaus also each chipped in eight points to pace the Cubs.

Next Action

After hitting the road to play Foley on Jan. 13 and Holdingford on Jan. 14, the Cubs end the week with a home game versus Eden Valley-Watkins on Friday, Jan. 17.