REBEL BOYS BASKETBALL VS RRC

MCC 78 - RRC 58

The Rebels boys basketball team played host to Red Rock Central Tuesday night in a match-up between two Red Rock Conference opponents. This would be their first meeting of the season. RRC came into the game with a 2-12 record and the Rebels at 8-5. MCC was looking to bounce back after a three game losing streak to three of the top teams in the conference, but it wasn’t going to be easy against a competitive Falcon’s squad.

The first half got off to a back and forth start. The two squads scored quickly on the offensive ends. MCC kicked the scoring off after a Dylan Kluis steal led to a Gavin Gillette attack and finished in transition. RRC answered right back with some quick ball movement which led to an open look. The Rebelstook the lead back on an Aidan Swenson free throw and went up 3-2 early. RRC retook the lead on their next possession, as the drive and kick for three was open. Gavin Gillette answered right back with a three of his own.

The Falcons connected on their third straight bucket, to take a one point lead, before Hudson Schryvers scored with a baby hook 8 feet from the basket. The game was off to a fast paced start. Red Rock didn’t score on their next possessions, but didn’t get any shots off. They were still shooting 100% from the field 4 minutes into the game.

With the score at 12-7 after a Gavin Gillette 15 foot jumper with 13:30 to go, the Rebels forced a turnover and had an opportunity to really seize momentum. Gillette drew a shooting foul from beyond the arc, but the sharp shooter connected on only 1-3.

The Rebels defense had opportunities to end possession quickly, by forcing tough contested shots, but the rebounding was not consistent in the first half. Maybe more importantly, what leads to rebounds wasn’t consistent. Blocking out and attacking the ball. The Falcons seemed to be a step quicker in this regard. These hustle plays would lead to extra shots, drawing shooting fouls, and simply more opportunities. With 12 minutes to play in the half, the Rebels held a 2 point lead at 13-11, before Tristan Behrends reached the foul line and connected on 1-2.

Carter Hanson and Behrends helped extend the lead as a Hanson steal led to a fast break where he found Behrends for the lay-up. Another steal for the Rebels on their next defensive possession by Hudson Schryvers led to an Aidan Swenson paint shot and make. Just like that, the Rebels extended their lead 18-11 in less than a minute.

The Rebels would be off and running again in transition as Gavin Gillette created a steal and found Schryvers in transition for the two.

But again, extra Falcon possessions on the offensive end plagued the Rebels. Offensive rebounds led to open looks against the Rebel defense, which really hurt momentum. Every time the Rebels got a rhythm going, it seemed like it was halted by a miscue. Even so, the boys kept playing aggressive and hard.

At the 9 minute mark, MCC held a 22-16 lead. The two teams went back and forth all the way into the half. The Rebels led 34-27 at the break. Cold shooting from beyond the arc was not on MCC’s side, but they were able to get multiple lay-ups in transition and high percentage looks around the basket to put together a very solid offensive half. RRC had hot three point shooting in the first half, connecting on 6 three point shots for a total of 18 of their 27.

The second half started with a totally different energy out of the Rebels. The defensive intensity was noticeably improved and vaulted the Rebels to a big lead in a short period of time.

MCC forced a turnover on the inbound play to start the second half. Dylan Kluis did an excellent job denying the inbound and making them work for a tough pass that ended up going out of bounds on the baseline. This was followed up by an Aidan Swenson 8 foot jumper. Swenson was quietly putting together a masterpiece on offense. He was up to 15 points for the game and wasn’t even halfway done yet.

The Rebels’ Kluis forced a jump ball on the ensuing inbound with great ball pressure. This led to another Swenson bucket. Kluis followed it up with a three from the right wing and the Rebels were off and running! Less than three minutes into the half, the 7 point halftime lead was up to 15!

MCC went a bit cold for about 4 minutes of game time where the Falcons got back within 8 with just under 10 minutes to play in the half. 49-41. Gavin Gillette attacked and finished with the smooth scoop shot off the glass. The Falcons just kept competing though they earned multiple trips to the foul line in the second half, earning 16 attempts. With the score at 51-41, Aidan Swenson started to take over. He scored 22 of his game high 35 in the second half. Swenson earned great post position and his teammates found him with solid post entry passing. The off the ball movement made it difficult to double Swenson and his footwork was on target making him extremely tough to defend.

From just under the 10 minute mark, the Rebels started to distance themselves from the Falcons, outscoring them 27 to 17 and pulling away for the 20 point victory. The Rebels did an excellent job taking care of the ball with only 5 turnovers on the night and earned their 9th victory of the season.

Rebels Leading Scorers: Aidan Swenson, 35. Gavin Gillette, 18. Dylan Kluis, 7. Leading Rebounders: Aidan Swenson, 7. Hudson Schryvers, 6. Leading Assists: Gavin Gillette and Hudson Schryvers, 6 each. Dylan Kluis, 2. Leading Steals: Gavin Gillette and Hudson Schryvers, 3 each. Aidan Swenson and Dylan Kluis, 2 each. MCC shot 55% from the field. 3-14 from beyond the arc at 21%. 7-14 from the foul line, at 50%. RRC shot 52% from the field. 7-13 from beyond the arc at 54%. 7-22 from the foul line, at 32%.