REBEL BOYS END SEASON WITH NAIL BITER

The Murray County Central Rebels traveled south this past Wednesday night to take on the Russell Tyler Ruthton Knights in the SubSection 3A South Semifinals. The Rebels lost to the Knights 67 to 40 in Slayton on January 16th in a game that was probably closer on the scoreboard than it was on the floor. RTR dominated the game and it would be the first of three straight losses by the Rebels, their longest losing streak of the season. MCC was looking to avenge that loss and upset maybe the best Class A team in the southern portion of the state.

This game would be a terrific contest. Though it wasn’t the perfectly played game, it was everything you would want in a playoff game. Some great defense, some big shots, two groups of fans that were into the game, and a game that would be decided in the final 30 seconds. The first half was back and forth. RTR led very early on and then the Rebels led for a long segment of time before they went cold for almost six minutes. MCC turned the ball over 15 times in the first half which was costly, as the Knights reclaimed the lead. RTR senior, Drew Werkman scored 10 points in the first half and was the top scorer in the half. MCC didn’t have a player over 4 points in the first. RTR led at the break 25 to 18.

The Rebels came out of the locker room and began to frustrate the Knights. MCC cut down on the turnovers, which limited some of the easy baskets the Knights had in the first half of play. The Rebel’s offense was working through Christian Tentinger for most of the second half, as the senior scored 13 second-half points. MCC would close the gap in the final three minutes when Aidan Dierks and Ross Engelkes made four straight free throws. Tanner Graphenteen and Christian Tentinger had key drives into the paint to give the Rebels two different twopoint leads. With the Rebels up by two, and under two minutes to play, Aidan Dierks stole a deflected pass. Tanner Graphenteen would miss a layup. It appeared to be goaltending or basket interference but neither was called. The Rebels then drew another foul. After missing a pair of free throws, they were able to get the basketball back on a rebound, just to turn it over. The game was tied when the Knights won a scramble for the ball and Hayden Gravley hit a three-point shot from the top of the key. The Rebels got within one, as Graphenteen made a layup, but with time running down, the Knights made a couple of free throws and the Rebel’s last gasp wouldn’t pan out. RTR picked up the win 54 to 51.

It was a terrific game, but the Rebels came up short to end their season with 19 wins. Christian Tentinger led the Rebels with 17 points, while Tanner Graphenteen had 10. Drew Werkman scored 16, and Aiden Wichmann and Hayden Gravley had 12 each. The Rebels will lose 7 seniors to graduation: Tanner Graphenteen, Jaden Deacon, Abe Paulzine, Derek Kluis, Christian Tengtiner, and Connor DeGreeff. The Rebels will bring back their top scorer and shot blocker in Bryce Hoekman plus Carter Lewis, Adian Dierks, and Ross Engelkes who all played key roles with the team this year. With a B-squad that had a strong season, the Rebels should bounce back with another tough team next year. As for now, baseball practice is a week away.

Christian Tentinger

Ross

Engelkes