VS SLEEPY EYE ST. MARY
Basketball is back, as the boys team went to Sleepy Eye for the early season Tip Off Classic. MCC played Friday afternoon at 6, against Sleepy Eye St. Mary and early Saturday afternoon against Sleepy Eye Public. The TMB Panthers were the fourth team involved in the classic, as they would play both Sleepy Eye teams as well.
With most new seasons, there is a new look with the team. Many first time varsity players, competing in their first extended varsity action. What comes with first games, typically some ups and downs and this game was no exception.
MCC got off to a bit of a slow start, down 6-0 early, but then the Rebels settled in and went on a big run to take the lead. A 27-10 run to end the half. The defense stiffened up as the offense found its rhythm. Senior, Gavin Gillette paced the Rebels in the first half with 12 of the 27 points. Tristan Behrends was second on the team with 5 first half points, Andrew Holm and Aidan Swenson added 4 each, and Carson Engelkes had 2 for the Rebels. 10 Rebels would touch the floor contributing to a solid first half performance and the 11 point lead.
The second half started favorably for the Rebels, as the pressure defense continued to make SESM work to get into their offense. MCC showed some solid offensive actions that allowed Aidan Swenson to dominate the second half. Aidan had only played 4 minutes in the first half because of foul trouble, but he stayed on the floor for most of the second half and used his strong body to seal defenders on the high side consistently. The backside Rebel movement cleared out the weak side. Swenson was too strong to be moved and beautiful post entry passes led him right to the bucket for multiple buckets. Swenson had 14 of his 18 points in the second half.
Between Swenson’s 18 and Gillettes game high 20, the Rebels fended off a furious comeback attempt by SESM to earn the 11 point win. 57-46.
Leading Scorers: Gavin Gillette, 20. Aidan Swenson, 18. Tristan Behrends, 7. Andrew Holm, 6. Dylan Kluis, 3. Carson Engelkes, 2. Dugan Kluis, 1.
Leading Rebounders: Aidan Swenson, 8. Carson Engelkes, 6. Gavin Gillette and Dylan Kluis, 5 each.
Leading Assists: Carson Engelkes, 4. Gavin Gillette, 2. Dylan Kluis, 2.
Leading Steals: Gavin Gillette and Tristan Behrends, 2 each.
VS SLEEPY EYE PUBLIC
On day two of the Tip Off Classic, MCC took on Sleepy Eye Public, which posed an outstanding post presence in 6’8” senior, Landon Wendinger. Last season Wendinger had a double double with 20 points and double digit rebounds. This year would be a double double with 31 points and double digit rebounds.
Rebounding was be a major challenge for the Rebels in this ball game. MCC was outrebounded 44-31. Out of those 44 rebounds for Sleepy Eye, 16 were of the offensive variety, leading to 16 extra opportunities. MCC struggled with ball control as well, turning the ball over 16 times in the game. MCC’s defense evened that number out by forcing 12 steals of their own and other team turnovers, but it was a lot to overcome against a solid Sleepy Eye team.
MCC got off to another slow start, down double digits early in the game. The defense held Sleepy Eye to 36% shooting from the field, but could not get off the defensive end of the court, giving up offensive rebounds over and over again. Although Sleepy Eye earned an early big lead, MCC’s offense started clicking, going on a 10-0 run of their own. High percentage shots were created by the offensive player movement. Coupled with defensive rebounds on the other end of the floor, the Rebels got right back into the game. Offensive rebounds, second chance points and free throws would allow Sleepy Eye to go into the half with a 40-32 halftime lead. Gavin Gillette led the charge offensively for the Rebels with 14 first half points. Andrew Holm added 7, and Hudson Schryvers, 5. An action packed half with little defense led to an exciting and sometimes head scratching first half!
The second half showcased much more of a defensive effort from both teams. MCC was held to 24 points and Sleepy Eye to 26, but what will be overlooked is the high quality shots MCC created that just wouldn’t fall. Wide open threes against the Sleepy Eye zone, inbound plays ending up with a shot from the block, break away layups, etc. that didn’t drop for the Rebels. Sleepy Eye followed a similar pattern of the first half, second chance points and free throws held the Rebels at bay, earning the 66-56 win.
Sleepy Eye finished the game with 25 free throw attempts to the Rebels’ 5, large in part to the second chance shot attempts. MCC attempted 61 shots to Sleepy Eye’s 66. Sleepy Eye would only make two more shots than the Rebels in the game, 24 to MCC’s 22. The Rebels made 5 more three point shots than Sleepy Eye. You take away the massive rebounding gap and free throw opportunities and there is the potential for a drastically different outcome.
Overall, it was a great learning experience for this Rebels team leading into game three of the season, Monday, December 2nd at Canby.
Leading Scorers: Gavin Gillette, 19. Hudson Schryvers, 10. Aidan Swenson, 6. Carson Engelkes, 5. Tristan Behrends, Dylan Kluis, and Max Miller each had 3.
Rebounding Leaders: Dylan Kluis, 6. Aidan Swenson, 6. Gavin Gillette, 5.
Assists Leaders: Gavin Gillette, 4. Carson Engelkes and Dylan Kluis, 2. Hudson Schryvers and Carter Hanson, 1 each.
Steals Leaders: Gavin Gillette, 4. Dylan Kluis and Carter Hanson, 2 each.
