Huskies hang tough with state-ranked Toronto, fall late

The Harrison Central Huskies were yet again ever so close to snagging their signature victory for the 2025-26 season. Last Tuesday night, the Huskies led the state-ranked (#24 Div. VI) Toronto Red Knights 18-16 at halftime before falling off pace in the fourth quarter to fall 55-45. Harrison senior Bryson Kamarec earned game-high honors with a 19-point night, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a pair of Red Knights in Colt Joynson and Brody Winters who went for 17 each.

Senior night ceremonies along the river gave way to a slow start, as the two teams combined to score just 17 points in the opening quarter. The Red Knights (16-3) led 9-8 after eight minutes, with Kamarec draining five of his 19 in the early going to keep his team at the level line.

The second quarter brought much of the same energy, as the Huskies (3-14) seemingly forced Toronto into an uncharacteristic chaotic style of play. Turnovers and empty possessions haunted both squads ahead of the intermission. Lance Smith and Brady Hyre combined for seven points for the Huskies in the second, enough to give their team a two-point advantage at the break. Senior Cooper Thompson added a triple in the frame as well, his lone marks of the night.

If anything, confidence was running sky high for the Huskies, who are still searching for their first victory since the calendar flip to 2026. Kamarec flashed his skillset in the third, running up 12 points on two triples, a pair of buckets, and two free throws. Without the scoring burst the Huskies would’ve been in trouble early in the second half. That is because Joynson and Winters warmed up coming out of the break, combining for 15 points in the eight-minute span, an effort that put the Red Knights in front 37-34 after 24 minutes of play.

Down the stretch the Huskies couldn’t keep pace, and while the offense didn’t completely dry out on Head Coach Nick Yourkovich, it was more so the Red Knights finally found the stride that’s led them to 16 victories this season. Toronto’s lead grew to as many as 12 at certain points, but the Huskies also battled the tally to within two possessions on multiple occasions. It was genuinely a good game until the waning moments, something that the Huskies can hopefully take and build on as the regular season nears its end.

Hyre dropped 11 in the main supporting role for the Huskies, followed by Lance Smith (5) and Jacob Quito (4).

The Huskies are scheduled to travel to Barnesville this week before returning home to face Shenandoah tonight at home. Both matchups are OVAC Championship consolation games, as the Huskies didn’t qualify for the 4A Championship bracket.