REBEL BOYS BASKETBALL VS LQPV

MCC 63 LQPV 60

MCC played Monday and Tuesday at 12:45 against LQPV and Minneota at SMSU. LQPV would come in with a 3-4 mark, losing to two state ranked opponents. One in Class A, Dawson-Boyd and one in Class AA, Montevideo, and lost to a 7-2 Benson team by three and a 5-1 Border West squad by one point. This had the makings of a close game and that is exactly what it ended up being.

MCC started off the game down 1-0 as LQPV earned a trip to the foul line and went 1-2. Gavin Gillette answered back with a deep two to take the lead. The Rebels forced a turnover on the ensuing possession which led to a Dylan Kluis and-1 opportunity. He converted, putting the Rebels up 5-1.

The Eagles would answer back with an and-1 opportunity of their own, stealing the momentum back. They connected on the free throw as well, 5-4 with just under sixteen minutes remaining.

The action got a little out of sorts for the next couple possessions as the Eagles were able to secure multiple offensive rebounds and the Rebels had an unforced turnover, before Aidan Swenson found a loose ball and put it in for the game’s next points. 14:30 to go in the half, 7-4, Rebels.

MCC’s defense would tighten things up a bit over the next few minutes, starting with a Gavin Gillette steal and transition layin. He found Max Miller on the Rebels next possession for a wing three. Hudson Schryvers stole the ball on a skip pass on the Eagles next possession, which led to another Miller three from almost the exact same spot. Just like that it was 15-4 Rebels with 12:33 to play. The two teams traded three’s on their next possessions, then LQPV hit another, bringing the score to 18-10. The two teams traded misses for the next couple minutes, before Miller drained another wing three! Poor transition defense led to an easy lay-up for the Eagles, stealing momentum from the Rebels again.

After a timeout, Cayden Veldhuisen delivered on a 15 foot jumper in the middle of the Eagles zone. Gavin Gillette drilled a three on the Rebels next possession, bringing the score to 26-12 with 8:44 to go in the half. Aidan Swenson scored on the Rebels next possession giving the Rebels their largest lead of the game at 16, but then LQPV would start chipping away at the lead.

Poor help defense, quick shots on offense, and a lack of defensive rebounding were big reasons for the Eagle comeback. MCC had some great looks at the basket and forced multiple misses on defense, but could not consistently convert or end possessions.

The score going into the half was MCC 39 and LQPV 35. The second half had more consistent defensive approaches, as both teams held one another to less then their first half outputs. Shot taking wasn’t the problem. Shot making was, as well as on ball defense and help defense would continue to linger as issues for the Rebels.

Each team earned a bucket early in the second half before going a bit cold for the next two minutes. 41-37 with 16 minutes to go. Aidan Swenson scored on an offensive rebound and put back before Dylan Kluis earned a trip to the foul line giving the Rebels the 44-37 lead with under 15 to play.

Gavin Gillette earned two of his team high 20 on the next possession on a strong finish around the bucket giving the Rebels momentum, but the Eagles answered with an attack and kick three. MCC would turn the ball over on their next possession, compounding the loss of momentum. Even while leading, it seemed like everything was a challenge. Credit the scrappy Eagles. 46-40 with 13:29 to play. MCC held the Eagles to the 40 mark until the 12 minute mark, when they went 1-2 from the foul line. MCC went on another small run on offense over the same time span, taking a 52-41 lead after a Hudson Schryvers and-1 opportunity. He sank the foul shot. Momentum was back with the Rebels, as they would force a bad pass and turnover on the ensuing defensive possession.

A nice post entry pass to Carson Engelkes from Dylan Kluis got MCC to 55. Engelkes would spin to his right shoulder and lay the ball in off the glass for the smooth two. 10 minutes to go and the Rebels were up 14. Another unforced turnover by the Rebels on their next possession would be the start of the big surge from the Eagles.

MCC was stuck on 55 until the 4:39 mark of the game! Gavin Gillette made a nice basket cut and Carson Engelkes found him for the lay-in. 57-50. This game was far from over. The Eagles kept battling back, playing scrappy defense, hustling after rebounds, and putting pressure on the Rebels defense. Next thing you know LQPV tied the game at 57 with 1:51 to go.

The Rebels had some excellent looks at the basket during this stretch, but just couldn’t get them to drop. Gavin Gillette broke the lid of the basket with two free throws, giving the Rebels the lead back with 1:44 to play. The Eagles earned a trip to the foul line and go 1-2 to cut the lead to one. MCC would turn it over on their next possession and the Eagles would take the lead on a strong attack and finish around the rim with under a minute to play.

After a timeout, MCC answered right back as Gavin Gillette and Aidan Swenson ran a pick and roll at the top of the key. Swenson would slip the screen, Gillette passed to Hudson Schryvers who found Swenson for the quick answer and one point lead. 45 seconds to go, 61-59 Rebels.

The Eagles would have a three go half way down before it went out on their next possession. Swenson gobbled up the rebound, his 10th of the day and found Gillette. The Eagles fouled Gillette with 22 seconds remaining. The Senior drilled both, giving the Rebels a three point lead.

The Rebels defense played tough, giving the Eagles no clean looks from beyond the arc before having to shoot a contested fall away three from behind the college line. It hit the front of the rim and the game ended!

Leading Scorers: Gavin Gillette, 20. Aidan Swenson, Hudson Schyrvers, 11.

Leading Assists: Hudson Schryvers, 5. Carson Engelkes and Max Miller with 2 each.

Leading Rebounds: Aidan Swenson, 10. Hudson Schryvers, 10. Gavin Gillette, 7. Dylan Kluis, 4.

The Rebels shot 40% from the field. 23-57. 7-18 from beyond the arc at 39%. 10-15 from the foul line at 67%. LQPV shot 31% from the field. 22-70. 8-23 from beyond the arc at 35%. 8-16 from the foul line at 50%

Carter Hanson