MCC BOYS FINISH JANUARY WITH LOSS AT HOME AND WIN ON THE ROAD

JANUARY 29 MCC VS. SWC

The MCC Rebel boys basketball team was 10-4 entering the game on Thursday night against Southwest Minnesota Christian. The Rebels lost earlier this year in Edgerton to the Eagles after the Rebels played a strong first half before struggling in the second half. Thursday the record would repeat itself.

Murray County Central would play its best half of basketball of the season against the Eagles. The Rebels’ three point shooting has not been a strength in recent weeks, but Thursday the Rebels were on fire. Senior Tayden Beerman was locked in and drilling the outside jumper. Beerman connected on four three’s and the Rebels, as a team, would make three more. The Rebels led the back and forth game at the half 41 to 37. Beerman led the Rebels with 12 points while Josiah Hoftyzer of the Eagles led the game with 16 points.

The second half saw the Eagles take control of the game. The Eagles’ constant and unrelenting defensive pressure slowed the Rebels offense to a near standstill, as the Eagles defense forced the Rebels into one turnover after another allowing the Eagles to take the lead. Josiah Hoftyzer dominated the second half, scoring 18 points while his teammates scored 17. The Rebels, on the other hand, scored 18 points total in the second half while turning the ball over 12 times. The Rebels would make ten three point shots in the game and though that kept the game somewhat close, the Eagles were just too strong, picking up the win 72 to 59.

The Rebels had a strong shooting night, making 46% of their shots and 42% from the three point line. The Eagles shot 30% from the field while taking 83 shots from the field. The Eagles dominated the Rebels on the boards, out rebounding them 42 to 29 and 26 to 7 on the offensive glass. The Rebels turned the ball over 25 times compared to the Eagles 13. The Rebels were led in scoring by Aidan Swenson and Cayden Veldhuisen who scored 14 points each and Tayden Beerman added 12. The Eagles were led by the terrific performance from Josiah Hoftyzer who scored 34 points. The Rebels’ record fell to 10-5 with the loss, but they would have a chance to bounce back Saturday against WWG.

JANUARY 31 MCC VS. WWG

The Rebel Boys were back in action on Saturday night traveling to Westbrook to take on the Chargers of Westbrook Walnut Grove. Earlier this season, the Rebels put together a strong second half as they came from behind to beat the Chargers. Saturday would be a terrific back and forth game between two long time rivals. In the end, the Rebels would pick up their 11th win of the season.

The three point shots have been falling for the Rebels this week, with 12 against the Lakeview Lakers and then 10 against the Eagles of Southwest Christian. Saturday, the Rebels would have stretches of great shooting. In the first half, Carter Hanson started the game making a pair of three’s and then later Tayden Beerman made three more. The Rebels led for almost the entire half. The Rebels had great balance in the first half with Beerman leading the way with 9 points. Hanson scored 8, Dugan Kluis 7, and Aidan Swenson scored 6. The Chargers were always trying to fight from behind. Jackson Jenniges scored 10 points, including 7 free throws in 8 attempts, and Drew Swanson scored 9. The Chargers scored the last five points of the half to make the score 30 to 27 with the Rebels on top.

The second half saw MCC turn up the execution. Wyatt Thompson and Cayden Veldhuisen made back to back layups. Cayden Veldhuisen also made a pair of three point shots. Aidan Swenson knocked down jump shot after jump shot. He led the Rebels to a 14 point lead. Drew Swanson and Jackson Jenniges led the way for the Chargers, as they inched themselves back into the game. Swanson scored 20 points in the second half and Jenniges added ten as the Chargers got within 2 points in the closing minutes. The Rebels countered when Aidan Swenson collected an offensive rebound and scored on the put back, putting the Rebels ahead by 5 points. Although the Chargers fought back, closing the gap to 2, in the end, Swenson made two free throws to push the lead back to four points, sealing the game for the Rebels. MCC won 67 to 63.

The Rebels had a balanced attack all night in a very solid performance. The Rebels played a very complete game without many poor stretches. Aidan Swenson scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, Carter Hanson scored 11 points in one of his best scoring games since Christmas. Tayden Beerman and Cayden Veldhuisen scored 9 points each and Dugan Kluis scored 7. Drew Swanson scored 29 points while Jackson Jenniges added 20 points for the Chargers. The Rebels are now 11 to 5 on the season.