Harmony Grove Head Coach Jeff Hogue said his team need a big win Tuesday when Jessieville came to town. But, after a night where the Cardinals struggled a bit from the field, his team would end up on the opposite side in a 69-58 loss.
Harmony Grove fell to the 5-3A-Conference foe earlier this season during a preseason tournament.
“We are really close to getting over the hump to being a really good team,” Hogue said. “I have got great guys, but we always have somebody taking a play off. They all play hards at times, but a possession here and one there, it all adds up.
“We are really close if I could get them to where they would give 100 percent all the time. I think, down the stretch, we could make a good run.”
Harmony Grove had to rely on the 3-pointer for most of the game, shooting 29 on the night. The Cardinals hit 12 with senior guard Christian Brown leading with seven long balls in the loss. He would finish his night with a team-high 23 points.
Newcomer Jaysin Gillion added four 3s for the Cardinals and 14 overall points Tuesday. A downfall for the Cardinals, however, was only going to the charity stripe once, hitting both free shots off the hands of Seth Limoges. The junior had a decent night with eight points and a block.
“Part of that is because we are relying on the 3 so much,” Hogue said. “When you don’t drive and you don’t go to the basket it is hard to shoot free throws. Then the other team is never under pressure because they are never in foul trouble.”
Jessieville committed only two fouls in the second half. Harmony Grove was forced to foul early and often as it tried to control the clock and force more offensive possessions.
Turnovers were big in the loss as well as the Cardinals gave up the ball 15 times, many in crucial situations.