REBEL BOYS MOVE ON TO SUB-SECTION SEMI-FINALS, FIGHT HARD TO THE END

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 MCC VS. WWG

The Murray County Central Rebel Boys Basketball team opened up their playoffs on Saturday afternoon in Worthington. The Rebels were the three seed in the sub-section, which meant they played in the final game of the day against the sixth seeded Westbrook Walnut Grove Chargers. The Rebels had beaten the Chargers twice during the regular season. The final match-up was a four point game in Westbrook. This game wouldn’t be that close.

The MCC Rebels played a terrific first half of basketball, especially on the defensive end. The Rebels held the Chargers to 13 first half points. Drew Swanson is the Chargers’ leading scorer and one of the top scorers in the Red Rock Conference, averaging over 22 points per game on the year. Swanson would score three points in the first half. Aidan Swenson led the Rebels with 10 first half points, while Tristan Behrends scored 5 points. The duo outscored the Chargers by themselves. The Rebels would lead at the half 31 to 13.

The Rebels increased their lead early in the second half, as Swenson and Behrends continued their strong play. Swenson would match his first half numbers scoring another ten points. Behrends scored 11 second half points, as the Rebels lead grew to over 20 points. Drew Swanson scored nine points in the second half and Jackson Jenniges added seven points. The Chargers managed to close the gap late in the game, but the Rebels were in control. Murray County Central would get the win 62 to 41.

The Rebels held the Chargers to 25% shooting in the game. WWG committed 16 turnovers in the game and made just 14 shots in 18 minutes. The Rebels out rebounded the Chargers 39 to 26 on Saturday. MCC was led by Aidan Swenson who scored 20 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Tristan Behrends TUESDAY, MARCH 3 MCC VS. SWC

The MCC Rebel Boys basketball team was in the Sub Section 3A South semifinals on Tuesday night in Worthington. The Rebels took on the second seeded Southwest Minnesota Christian Eagles for the third time this season. MCC lost the first two meetings in similar fashion. The Rebels played the Eagles hard, but would get tired and allow the Eagles to fly by them to win the games by double figures. Tuesday, the Rebels battled hard and played tough, but once again, hit a wall they could not overcome.

MCC opened the game playing the first five minutes with the two teams tied at five. Parker Fey hit a three point shot to give the Eagles the lead by three. The Eagles held that three point lead much of the first half, as the Rebels struggled with turnovers. Aidan Swenson led the Rebels with six early points. Tayden Beerman hit a long two point shot to give the Rebels a 19-18 lead. The Rebels would tie the game at 22 points each on a Tristan Behrends three point basket. The Eagles took a 25 to 22 lead at the half on a three point shot by Parker Fey just before the first half buzzer.

Josiah Hoftyzer led the Eagles with 12 points in the first half. Aidan Swenson had eight at the half. The two teams continued to battle into the second half, scoring back and forth. Five minutes into the second half, the Rebels trailed by just two points 35 to 33. The Eagles then went on an 8 to 1 run, to take a nine point lead 43 to 34. The Eagles kept the pressure on the Rebels offense and their lead continued to grow. With eight minutes to play the Rebels trailed 50 to 37. The Eagles did not allow the Rebels to get a second wind on their way to the victory, 63 to 48.

This game was very similar to the other games the two teams played this season. The Eagles shot 40% from the field, while the Rebels made 38% of their shots. The Eagles had 6 three’s, the Rebels had 5. SWC made 7 free throws, while MCC made 5. The Rebels outrebounded the Eagles 32 to 27, but the biggest difference was turnovers. The Rebels turned the ball over 21 times to the Eagles’ 7 and that allowed the Eagles to take 13 more shots than the Rebels. Josiah Hoftyzer scored 22 points for SWC. Aidan Swenson was the only Rebel in double figures with 12. He also grabbed 10 rebounds. Tristan Behrends had 8 rebounds and 7 points for the Rebels. The MCC Rebels finished the year 15 and 7 with five losses coming to SWC and HBC, the two teams that finished ahead of them in the Red Rock Conference. The Rebel seniors included Tayden Beerman, Carter Hanson, Wyatt Thompson, Eli Gillette. Aubin Licht, Cayden Veldhuisen and Aidan Swenson. It was another strong year from the Rebels who will have some key returners next season but will have a different look than the last couple of seasons. What a great winter season at MCC from Boys and Girls Basketball to Wrestling it was a great run!