REBEL GIRLS WRAP UP REGULAR SEASON, HEAD TO PLAYOFFS

The MCC Rebels Girls Basketball Team have been red hot over the past two and a half weeks, winning five straight games. The Rebels knew they had to start winning the close games they had been losing in the month of January and they knew, for a top seed in the playoffs, they needed to start beating the teams that had knocked them off earlier in the year. That is just what the Rebels did.

The Rebels redemption tour was in Fulda on Thursday night as the Rebels took on another team that had beaten them earlier. The Coyotes beat the Rebels 41 to 39 in Slayton on January 5th and the Rebels were hoping that with a win, they would be a top 4 seed in the Subsection 3a tournament. The Rebels came out quickly in the first half, taking the early lead with Kate Blankenship and Ava Deacon making early three point shots. Renea Salentiny kept the Coyotes in the game early on, while Tori Reynolds and Ashton Reierson created scoring opportunities. Joelle Hellewell and Brielle Plotz came off the bench to provide a spark, scoring a combined 10 first half points. The Rebels led at the half 36 to 30.

The second half saw the Rebels and Coyotes go back and forth and though the Coyotes would get within a single basket on one possession, the Rebels would respond by scoring to extend the lead. Renae Salentiny scored eight second half points and Reierson added nine as HLOF tried to come back. MCC’s Calleigh Doeden played a terrific game for the Rebels, playing great defense while also scoring. The senior made three of four free throws down the stretch, as would Ava Deacon, to protect the Rebels’ lead. Joelle Hellewell buried a pair of three’s in the second half, as the Rebels got the win 65 to 55.

The Rebels’ winning streak has reached 6 games and with the win over HLOF they have beaten every team in the Red Rock Conference except HBC, who they will have a chance to play on Monday night. The Rebels shot just shy of 30% from the field, but they made 10 of 22 from the three point line. Calleigh Doeden had 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 steals in the game. Joelle Hellewell scored 11 points, which is her fourth straight game in double figures. Kat Miller finished with 10 points, scoring 5 in each half. The Rebels showed off great balance with 7 players scoring 6 or more points. The Coyotes were led by Salentiny with 19 and Reierson added 15. The Rebels will finish the regular season on Monday night at home against the HBC Patriots. Win or lose, this will be the best Rebel regular season in 7 years. FEBRUARY 16 HBC AT MCC

The MCC Rebels wrapped up the regular season schedule on Monday when they played host to the Hill Beaver Creek Patriots. The Patriots are the Red Rock Conference Champions and were trying to finish the season undefeated in the conference this year. The two teams played in December and the Rebels played the Patriots tough early but the Patriots dominated the last couple minutes of the first half and the second half in the Rebels’ worst loss of the season. On Monday the Rebels showed that they have improved but in the end they came up short.

The Rebels defense hadbeen a force all season forcing opponents into turnover after turnover and this game wasn’t any different. The Rebels forced the Patriots into 16 first half turnovers. Brynn Bakken got off to a great start and scored ten first half points using her quickness and strength to get in the lane and score. The Rebels kept the other Patriots under control as Bakken was the only other player in double figures. The Rebels offense struggled with turnovers in the first half as they gave the ball away 12 times but the Rebels struggled with shooting which cost them a bigger lead. The Rebels made three three-point shots in the first half but no one had more than one. Calleigh Doeden led the Rebels with seven first half points and led the Rebels in rebounds and steals in the first eighteen minutes. The Rebels led at the half 27 to 26.

In the second half the Patriots grabbed the lead in the first couple of minutes with Ella Rheault going hard to the paint and then Olivia Deelstra scored on offensive rebounds. The Rebels regained the lead with baskets from Joelle Hellewell, Kat Miller, and Reese Gilbertson but the Rebels struggled to put the ball in the basket. Though the Rebels competed the Patriots pulled away with a big run over the last five minutes of the game. HBC finished the regular season undefeated in the Red Rock Conference. They beat the Rebels 59 to 42.

MCC finished the season 13 and 10 - their best season in 8 years and now they prepare for the playoffs. Calliegh Doeden led the Rebels with 9 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 steals. Ava Deacon finished the game with 9 points and 3 steals. The Patriots had three players score in double figures led by Deelstra with 14, Bakken 13, and Ella Sammons added 10.

The Rebels will play at 4:00 pm in Worthington on Saturday against the Edgerton Flying Dutchmen in the first round of the Sub Section 3A playoffs.

GBB PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

The Sub Section 3A South playoff schedule has been set after seedings on Friday.

Pigtail games Thursday. Feb. 19 at 7:00 PM #7 seeded HLOF Coyotes will host the #10 seeded RRC Falcons. #8 TMB Panthers will host #9 SWC Eagles.

The Quarter Finals Super Saturday, Feb 21 in Worthington. 11:00 AM #1 HBC Patriots will play the winner of TMB and SWC.

12:30 PM #4 RTR Knights will play #5 WWG Chargers

2:30 PM #2 seeded Adrian Ellsworth Dragons will play the winner of HLOF and RRC Final game of the day 4:00 PM #3 MCC Rebels facing off against #6 Edgerton Flying Dutchman. The Semifinals will be played in Worthington on February 24th with the finals in Worthington on the 27th.