MCC BASKETBALL TEAMS HOST HLOF

The MCC Rebels hosted a boy-girl doubleheader on Thursday against the Coyotes of Heron Lake Okabena Fulda. With a cancellation earlier in December, the Rebel boy’s game was moved to Thursday night to make the night a double header, which actually turned into 5 games. The B-squads played for both teams as did a junior high game with Minneota. The Fulda/MCC Warrior Wrestling team hosted a fundraiser roast beef sandwich supper. It was a great crowd that got to see plenty of basketball.

The MCC Rebel girls played the Coyotes for the second time this season, just over a week since the first meeting. The Rebels dominated the first game, but on Thursday, the Coyotes played much better in the first half. HLOF jumped out to a 10-0 start with Anna Fest scoring 8 of the game’s first 10 points. The Rebels took some time to settle into the game, but then they would go on a nice run themselves to get back in the game. The Rebel’s defense locked down the Coyote’s offense after the initial 10-0 run. The Rebels would outscore the Coyotes 22-12 after the initial Coyote run to open the game. The game was tied after the first half 22-22.

The second half was pretty one-sided as the Rebels ran away with things. MCC would score 36 points in the second half compared to Coyotes’ 13. MCC was led by Mary Lou McNab who struggled in the first half but scored 10 points in the second. Lily Daniels had a nice showing, using her speed to work around Rebel screens for 6 points. Anna Fest did score 8 second-half points for HLOF, but she was the only player to make a shot from the field in the final 18 minutes. The Rebels picked up their 5th win of the season, 58 to 35.

The Rebels trailed 10-0 to open the game and would outscore the Coyotes 58 to 25 the rest of the contest. MCC forced 25 turnovers and held the Coyotes to a 22% shooting percentage. MCC had three players score in double figures. Jayda Hellewell led MCC with 12 while Casey Miller and Mary Lou McNab scored 10 each. Anna Fest was the game’s leading scorer with 18 points but the next-highest scorer for the Coyotes had 6. The Rebels next game is Monday in Lamberton against Red Rock Central.

The MCC Rebel boys played the Coyotes of HLOF at home just a handful of days after beating them in Okabena.

The Rebels have been pushing their way through a tough section of the schedule, playing 3 games per week in 3 consecutive weeks. For the Rebels, it would be their fourth game in six days. The Rebels wouldn’t get a blowout win like this past Saturday, but the Rebels would complete their second straight 3-win week.

The Coyotes, much like the girls game earlier, got off to a good start. Logan Hattendorf and Sawyer Drent would lead the way for HLOF, with Drent scoring against all levels of the defense and Hattendorf scoring his points in the paint, driving to the basket. Hattendorf scored 10 first-half points, while Drent scored 9. The Rebels started slowly before picking it up. The Rebels have shown their depth the last two weeks, with good bench contributions, scoring and on defense. On Thursday night, Aiden Dierks came ready to play, scoring 8 first-half points off the bench, as MCC pulled into the lead before halftime. Dierks’ scoring kept the Rebels in the game, but Christian Tentinger scored 11 points in the first half, as he dominated the play. The Rebels had the lead at the halftime break 31 to 24.

The second half for MCC was in a word, steady. MCC did a nice job of maintaining its lead. The Coyotes would score a couple of baskets or make a free throw and then score, but MCC answered back with a couple of makes of their own. The Coyotes would get as close as seven points in the second half, but the Rebels always had an answer. The Rebels’ bench has been a big help the last two weeks and sometimes the bench provides points, while at other times they provide defense or rebounding. Sometimes the bench doesn’t score a lot of points, but hits the key shot you need to win the game. The Rebels got a little bit of both in this game. Aiden Dierks was shooting well, scoring 8 in the first half and 10 more in the second half, Ross Engelkes and Carter Lewis would also add to the score. The turning point in the second half came from Abe Paulzine. The Coyotes were building momentum, having scored on several possessions in a row and had the lead down to 7 points. Paulzine then hit his only shot of the game, on a corner threepoint shot that extended the lead to 10 and the Rebels were in charge the rest of the way. MCC would win 64 to 54.

The Rebels needed the win because SWC defeated the WWG Chargers on Thursday night putting the Rebels in a tie for first place with the Eagles. The Rebels beat the Eagles earlier in the year so they have the tiebreaker this season. Christian Tentinger scored 19 points and Aiden Dierks finished with 18. Bryce Hoekman and Jaden Deacon scored 8 points each. Sawyer Drent led the Coyotes with 21 points and Hattendorf finished with 17. The Rebels get a week off before taking on MLAC and TMB Thursday and Friday.