MCC BOYS BRING HOME THREE WINS DURING BUSY WEEK OF GAMES

FEBRUARY 5 MCC VS. RRC

The MCC Rebel boys basketball team had an interesting week of basketball this past week. The Rebels had three practices to begin the week, something they have not had since the Christmas break. That allowed the Rebels to get back to some basics and work on some specific issues they have been working through. They also got some great news with players who have been out returning tot he court. The Rebels were back in action on Thursday in Lamberton.

The Rebels beat the Red Rock Central Falcons 71-43 in their first game of the season back on December 4. This game would feature the return of Max Miller to the MCC lineup. The Senior had missed the entire season to this point and his return was an uplifting moment for the Rebels. In terms of basketball, it paid immediate dividends. Red Rock Central did not make things easy for the Rebels, as Henry Stavnes continued his terrific season with another strong performance against the Rebels. The Falcon guard scored 15 first-half points against the Rebels, as they played step for step with the Rebels. MCC shot the ball well in the first half, but the Falcons’ defense didn’t allow the Rebels’ size inside to dominate the game. The Rebels made six three point shots in the first half, good for over half of their points. The Rebels led at the break, 32-31.

The Falcons wouldn’t go away, as Stavnes scored anvid. other 10 points in the second half, keeping his team in the game. The Rebels led by just four points midway through the second half. That is when the skies opened up and the three point shots began to fall. Max Miller made 5 three point shots in the second half and Tayden Beerman made four. The reserve duo for the Rebels would combine for 29 points in a short amount of time, as the Rebels’ lead went from 4 to 20 in a matter of a couple of minutes. The three point barrage propelled the Rebels to a 78-55 win.

Shooting was the story for the Rebels, who made 18 of 32 three point shots, which is 54 points. The Falcons defense did a great job of keeping the Rebels post players in check, ut the outside shooting of the Rebels was the story. Max Miller led the Rebels with 18 points. Tayden Beerman scored 17, and Wyatt Thompson added 10 in the win. Henry Stavnes finished the game with 25 points for the Falcons and Austin Imker scored 11 before suffering an injury late in the game. The Rebels’ win was their 12th of the season. They would travel to Tracy to take on the Panthers on Saturday.

FEBRUARY 7 MCC VS. TMB

The rivalry between the Rebels and the Panthers has been must-see action over the last several years. MCC has ended the Panthers playoff runs the past two seasons with buzzer- beating wins. The Rebels and Panthers played a 99-91 thriller that went into multiple overtimes a year ago in the regular season. Just in time for the rivalry match-up, the Rebels would welcome back Tristan Behrends from injury. This game would have a first half similar to the last several games of this match-up but the second half was all Rebels.

The Rebels and the Panthers played an interesting game. The first half, the two teams had just 5 turnovers which is great. Neither team shot the ball extremely well, but the offenses got off shots and created scoring opportunities. The two teams would make runs as you would expect in a rivalry game. The Rebels relied on Aidan Swenson, who scored 10 points in the first half. Tayden Beerman and Max Miller combined for nine points in the low scoring half. Behrends got back on the floor for the first time in over a month and finished at the rim after a steal. The Panthers got 12 points from Connor Lanoue on four three point makes. With time running down in the first half, Griffin Zick got a pass and knocked down a three point shot as the buzzer sounded, giving the Panthers a 29 to 28 lead. Zick is the Panthers’ leading scorer this season, but this would be his only basket of the game.

The second half started with the Rebels scoring ten straight points, as Wyatt Thompson scored six quick points. Aidan Swenson continued to score and the twin towers combined for 20 second-half points. The Rebels’ defense was terrific in the second half, holding the Panthers to just 13 points. With the Rebels scoring in the paint, it opened up the outside shot. Max Miller and Cayden Veldhuisen took advantage. With each making 2 three point shots, the Rebels pulled away for the 62-42 win.

The Rebels forced the Panthers into six more turnovers while out-rebounding the Panfrom thers by 10. The Rebels also blocked 8 shots in the game. Connor Lanoue led the Panthers with 16 points in the game but Griffin Zick never got on track and was held to just 3. Aidan Swenson scored 22 points for the Rebels and 6 rebounds. Wyatt Thompson scored 9 points and had 5 blocks. The Rebels showed great balance on the perimeter. Max Miller finished with 9 points, Dugan Kluis, Cayden Veldhuisen, Tayden Beerman all had six points each. The Rebels are now 13 and 5 on the season with a trip to RTR coming up on Tuesday.

FEBRUARY 10 MCC VS. RTR

The Murray County Central Rebel Boys basketball team was in Tyler to take on the RTR Knights on Tuesday night. The Rebels beat the Knights in a low scoring game in Slayton and we would get more of the same in Tyler. The Rebels and the Knights play tough and physical against one another, and the defenses have a way of sticking out. The Rebels would need to come from behind to pick up the win on Tuesday.

The RTR Knights led much of the first half, but with the struggles both teams had shooting the basketball, leads were not all that big. What stood out was some crazy defensive numbers. Aidan Swenson blocked five first half shots, closing down the middle of the lane to RTR drives. MCC shot under 30 percent from the field, so scoring consistently was impossible. Late in the first half the Rebels went on a 8-0 run over three possessions with a pair of 3-point baskets and a driving layup. The Rebels led at the half 19-16.

The second half was more of the same. Both teams scored more points in the second half, but it was not easy going. The Rebels hit some key 3-point shots to get some separation, but that meant 4 or 5 points, not 10 or 15.

The two teams struggled to score, but in the final minutes of the game the Knights would take a 1-point lead, just to see the Rebels reclaim the lead and then make one big free throw after another. With the Rebels up by one point, Dugan Kluis went to the line, making both free throws. The Rebels limited the Knights to one desperation 3-point shot at the buzzer and took the win 45 to 42.

The Rebels finished the game shooting 30 percent from the field 14 for 46. The Knights shot 15 of 61 from the field, good for 25 percent. What put the Rebels over the top was the free throw line, where MCC made 13 of 14 compared to the Knights 9 of 12. The Rebels outrebounded RTR 38 to 28. Aidan Swenson just missed a triple double leading MCC with 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 blocks. Dugan Kluis had 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals. Max Miller scored 9 for the Rebels all from the 3-point line. Colten Thompson scored 17 to lead the way for RTR.

The Rebels are now 14-5 on the season and will play at home against Mountain Lake Area Comfrey on Friday.