MCC LOSES BATTLE AGAINST HBC

On Tuesday, December 12th by played a strong HBC team who would come into the game undefeated and a 3-1 Canby Lancer team in a non-conference battle Friday.

Hills came into the game averaging 76 points per game and they were giving up 59, sporting a well balanced attack from all areas of the court. They are strong and athletic with the ability to finish at the rim. A solid mid-range game and an efficient deep threat. This was sure to be a battle.

HBC earned possession first and connected on the first basket of the game from the left block. The Rebels would turn the ball over on their first possession which would lead to a 15-foot jumper by HBC, establishing ability to score in multiple ways early. Ross Engelkes answered back for the Rebels on their next possession, drilling a three from the left wing. The score stood at 4-3, two minutes in. The teams would trade empty possessions, highlighted by a hustle play jump ball on the floor by Carter Lewis which earned the Rebels possession back. This led to an Aidan Dierks attack and score to give the Rebels their first lead at 5-4.

At the 15-minute mark, the Rebels found Bryce Hoekman for the deuce on the block. After a 4-0 start for HBC, MCC scored 9 unanswered before HBC would answer back with a 17-foot jumper. At the 13-minute mark the score was 9-6 MCC.

HBC hit a three to tie the game on their next possession as the two teams would go back and forth for the next several minutes. HBC would take its biggest lead of 4 points at 22-18 with 6:12 remaining in the first half until Aidan Dierks knocked down two free throws to bring the game within two. HBC found their new biggest lead of the half after their next possession, as the Rebels gave up a deep contested three from the right wing. The kind of shot where you just have to tip your cap.

HBC extended their lead to 27-20 before Hoekman secured an offensive rebound and put back to pull the game back within five. After a bucket by HBC and a free throw and a bucket by MCC, the Rebels pulled within two after an Aidan Dierks’ three, but offensive rebounding would earn the Patriots a put back, to stay up five at 31-26.

After a Ross Engelkes free throw, Gavin Gillette connected on a three off an inbounds play to pull the Rebels to within a point at 31-30. That is where the score would remain going into the half. The game was shaping up to be another barnburner.

The second half saw HBC score first on a 16-foot jumper that banked in from the top of the key. Bryce Hoekman answered back with a bucket and a block on the defensive end to get the Rebels possession.

The two teams would go back and forth, earning defensive stops before HBC would secure another offensive rebound on the backside of the shot, for the easy put back. Gavin Gillette answered back with another three to tie the game at 35 apiece with 15 minutes remaining.

HBC knocked down two free throws to take the lead back, but Hoekman answered back with a nice baseline attack. HBC would connect on a back door cut, as the Rebel defense was caught napping, to take the lead back at 39-37 with 14 minutes remaining. MCC tied the game back up on a fantastic attack and dish from Dierks to Hoekman from the left wing. Hoekman scored again on another baseline attack, but instead of finishing from the baseline he would counter and spin middle for the nice bank shot. MCC took a brief 2-point lead before HBC tied the game with 12:30 left at 41.

Neither team would score for the next 1:30 until Aidan Dierks attacked and earned a trip to the charity stripe. He would make both to put the Rebels up 2. The two teams then traded buckets to keep the Rebel lead at 2 with 10 minutes remaining.

The two teams continued to go toe to toe and back and forth for the final 10 minutes. But at the 2:30 mark ,the Patriots took a 1-point lead. This was followed by an MCC play that only had two passes in it before taking a deep three. HBC would secure possession and score on a big and-1 opportunity. After completing the play with a free throw, HBC was up four. The Rebels made an ill-advised pass on their next possession. Passing a floating, looping pass from the corner to the top of the key, which was stolen and turned into a layup. The score sat at 62-56 with 1:45 left.

MCC would battle though, as they cut the lead back to 2 at 62-60 with just over a minute remaining. A foul would put HBC to the line and they delivered on both. A forced drive on the next MCC possession would result in a turnover. MCC would foul again. After HBC made both free throws to go up six, Gavin Gillette attacked the right baseline for the layup. With 30 seconds left, the Rebels were down 4. MCC would force a turnover on the ensuing inbound with pressure and found themselves with an uncontested 3, but that wasn’t meant to be. With 12 seconds remaining the Rebels were down 4, they fouled and HBC would make 1-2 from the line. Aidan Dierks quickly attacked and scored off the missed free throw. MCC needed a steal down 3, but didn’t get it and HBC would put the game away at the foul line.

The Rebels fell 69-64 in an entertaining back and forth battle. HBC would move to 4-0 and MCC would fall to 1-3.

Leading Scorers: Bryce Hoekman 24, Gavin Gillette 13, Aidan Dierks 11.

Rebounding Leaders: Carter Lewis 9, Bryce Hoekman 7, Gavin Gillette 6.

Assists Leaders: Carter Lewis 4, Gavin Gillette 4.