Basketball Recap: Ethyn Whetstine-Jones' Big Game Can't Quite Lead Harvard over Elba

Harvard was not able to break out of their rough patch on Thursday as the team picked up their 18th straight loss dating back to last season. They were four points away from ending the streak, but they lost a 37-33 heartbreaker at the hands of the Elba Bluejays. The Cardinals were given a dose of their own medicine in this game as the Bluejays apparently hadn't forgotten their defeat the last time these teams played back in January of 2024.

Harvard's loss came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Ethyn Whetstine-Jones, who almost dropped a triple-double on 15 points, nine boards, and 11 steals. That was a full 45.5% of Harvard's points, marking the fifth time in a row he's posted more than a third of the team's points. The team also got some help courtesy of Cohen Reutzel, who scored eight points and 18 rebounds.

Cardinals

Offensive Rebounds

01/30/25 @ Elba	18
01/21/25 vs Blue Hill	3
01/16/25 vs Osceola	2
01/24/25 vs Deshler	1

Even though they lost, Harvard smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 18 offensive boards. That's the most offensive rebounds they've managed all season.

Elba's win was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Kjell Brockhoff, who had seven points along with 14 boards and three steals. The dominant performance gave Brockhoff a new career-high in rebounds. Another player making a difference was Ethan Lange, who earned 14 points in addition to five boards and five steals.

Harvard's defeat dropped their record down to 0-17. As for Elba, the victory snapped their losing streak at seven games and leaves them with a 2-14 record.

Harvard has already played their next game, a 58-15 loss against Giltner on the 1st. As for Elba, they also wasted no time getting back out on the court and have already played their next matchup, a 58-28 defeat against High Plains on the 1st.