MCC 69 - HLOF 27
The Rebels boys basketball team hosted the HLOF Coyotes on Monday night in a Red Rock Conference game. The Rebels came into the game at 7-2 and the Coyotes at 2-6. The Coyotes have wins over Red Rock Central and Lakeview.
MCC got off to a bit of a slow start in the first minute plus. HLOF was able to get the ball into the paint and earn a 4-0 lead before the Rebels would find their groove. Early jitters is what it looked like as keeping control of the ball and making sound passes on offense was noticeably off and the defensive intensity, rotations, and ball pressure was lacking. But once the Rebels settled, in they took off and never looked back. Aidan Swenson converted the first two points of the game, from a triangle formation on the left wing. Carson Engelkes hit Hudson Schryvers at the elbow, he kicked it back out to Engelkes, who would quickly hit Swenson on the block for the easy two. Engelkes led the team with 6 assists in the game, making quality decisions and passes. He was setting his teammates up all game long.
One of the beneficiaries of the Engelkes passing, especially in the first half, was Max Miller. Miller was a “zone buster” and spark for the Rebels offense in the first half when it needed a kick start. Miller scored 16 first half points. 12 of them coming from beyond the arc!
A balanced scoring attack and a ramped up intensity on defense started to wear down the Coyotes as the Rebels went on a 37-16 run to finish the half. Gavin Gillette scored 7 in the half, Hudson Schryvers connected on 8 points, Carson Engelkes had 2, Dylan Kluis had 3, Swenson 3, and as mentioned earlier, Max Miller had 16. MCC went into the break up 39-20.
The second half brought a different type of intensity from the Rebels defense. It was consistent and it was energized. Gathering up loose balls, tipping passes consistently, and ending multiple defensive possessions forcing turnovers or snagging the rebounds. Second chances were hard to come by for HLOF. On the offensive end, the Rebels connected on four, three point shots. Two from Gavin Gillette, one each from Eli Gillette and Cayden Veldhuisen. Dugan Kluis and Dawson Schreier each contributed four points, while Hudson Schryvers added a bucket and Aidan Swenson added 6 points.
With running time starting early in the half, MCC ran away with a 69 to 27 Red Rock Conference victory.
Leading Scorers: Max Miller, 16. Gavin Gillette, 15. Hudson Schryvers, 10. Aidan Swenson, 9.
Leading Assists: Carson Engelkes, 6. Gavin Gillette, 4. Dylan Kluis and Max Miller, 2.
Leading Rebounds: Hudson Schyrvers, 7. Andrew Holm, 5.
Leading Steals: Max Miller, 4. Hudson Schryvers, 3. Carson Engelkes, Gavin Gillette, and Cayden Veldhuisen with 2 each.
MCC shot 40% from the field, 25-63. 10-25 from 3, at 40%. 9-11 from the foul line, at 82%.
HLOF shot 26% from the field, 11-42. 0-8 from 3, at 0%. 5-8 from the foul line, at 62%.
