“What we did in that third quarter is the way we’ve been practicing,” THS coach Chet Reeder said. “We were more aggressive. In the first half, we were waiting for things to happen, while Robinson was making things happen.

“It was good to come away with the win,” Reeder added. “You don’t want to be playing your best basketball the first game. We did some things well tonight and some things we didn’t do so well.”

Hardiek hit another three to open the fourth quarter, and after Addis turned in a three-point play, T-Town’s lead grew to 53-39 with 6:37 to play. Much of the rest of the game was spent at the free throw line and neither team did well.

Robinson’s Wesley Jackson scored five straight points to narrow the gap to 55-46 at the 4:03 mark, but the Maroons were unable to get any closer than seven down the stretch. The Shoes certainly provided the opportunity to get closer, converting just 6-of-14 free throws in the final quarter, but Robinson made only 6-of-12 from the line.

“Defense was our biggest letdown tonight,” Reeder noted. “We have to figure out how to guard without 6’8” behind us. Our rotation needs to be better. We gave up too many easy baskets.

“Offensively, we need to be more aggressive and just not settle for shots,” the coach added. “When we got up 14, I thought we took our foot off the gas.”

Hardiek scored 11 of his team-high 17 points in the first half. After he hit a jumper and Brock Deters grabbed a rebound and scored with 5:09 to play in the second quarter, the Shoes owned a 23-18 advantage.

But the Maroons responded with a 12-2 run to close the first half. Kade Lassen had a three-point play and Brayden Childress hit a three at the buzzer, sending Robinson to the locker room with a 30-25 lead.

In addition to Hardiek, Matthew Deters also reached double figures with 10 points and narrowly missed a double-double with nine rebounds. Not back for his first varsity action.

“Ten and nine isn’t bad for your first game,” Reeder said. “He did a great job coming off the bench. He just needs to learn to play without fouling.”

The Shoes shot 45 percent from the floor, connecting on 23-of-51 attempts. They were 7-of-22 from three-point range and only 9-of-23 from the free throw line.

“The silver lining is we got to the line 23 times, which is exactly what we want,” Reeder noted. “Now we just need to make them.”

The Shoes will be back in action tonight (Tuesday). They will face Highland at 8 p.m.