REBEL BOYS LOSE TO PIPESTONE

Coming out of the Christmas break MCC would travel to Pipestone to take on three solid Pipestone teams. The Varsity, B, and C team would all be in action and playing good competition regardless of outcome is what it’s all about. Understanding that there is a next level to strive for as a player and team creates growth.

The C-team would hang in there early against a very big, athletic, and skilled Pipestone squad. Hudson Schryvers would connect on two 3-point shots and Dawson Schrier would find nice position on the block and MCC’s guards would find him for some high percentage buckets. Over the course of the game Pipestone was tough and would end up with a 70-25 win.

The B-team found themselves in a bit of a hole early against Pipestone as well, giving up 31 first half points. MCC would score 18 in the first frame. Led by Ross Englekes with 6, Ben Ahlers with 5, Bryce Hoekman with 4, and Carter Lewis with 3. Pipestone’s number 24, Borman would have an excellent first half connecting on 4, 3-point shots and finishing the first half with 18 of the teams 31, matching MCC by himself. But in the second half MCC’s defense stepped up and the two teams played even at 17 points each. Hoekman would score 6, Carter Lewis 5, and Thomas Huso and Michael Risacher would each score 3. The final would be Pipestone 48, MCC 35.

The Varsity would run into a bit of a buzz saw in the first half against Pipestone. What felt like an 80% shooting first half from the arrows is probably a bit of an overestimate, but not by much. Pipestone hit 5, 3-point shots, went 5-6 from the free throw line and seemed to make every shot around the basket. Kellen Johnson would score 13 of his 17 points in the first half, but everyone would be involved in the scoring for Pipestone as they had 8 players score at least one basket in the frame. As it seemed like nothing could go right for the Rebels, who put up 17 first half points, the ball seemed to be moving better on offense. A bright spot in the first half. Chant Mitchell put together a solid effort around the paint with 8 first half points. Nate Kleven would have 4, Abe Paulzine would do what he always does and drilled another 3, and Tanner Graphenteen went 2-2 from the foul line to get the Rebels to 17. The outlook was bleak, but as this group has shown before, they don’t quit.

The second half would see the roles reverse as Pipestone would cool off, MCC’s defense would end possession after possession with defensive rebounds and the offense as mentioned earlier looked like it had much more rhythm to it. The ball would swing from wing to wing, never pausing for more than a second or two. Players were aggressive to the basket in transition and in the half court, the pick and roll game was consistent and the Rebels started to mount a comeback.

Mitchell would continue to have another solid half as he scored 9 second half points, finding openings on the blocks, putting back offensive rebounds, and stepping out and hitting 15 footers. Christian Tentinger would make his presence felt as well, attacking off the pick and roll scoring 7 second half points and being a menace on the defensive end. Nate Kleven and Tentinger seemed to get a tipped pass about every other possession or a steal. The next thing you know the Rebels were within 25 and Pipestone would use a timeout. MCC would go on another run and they were within 20, then 15. Pipestone would have to use another timeout. With chances to cut into the lead even more the two teams would end up trading buckets late in the second half as the tables had almost completely turned. MCC would hold Pipestone to 16 second half points and would score 28 themselves, falling short 60-45 to the Class 2A state ranked Arrows.

A valiant effort indeed, as the beginning of this game had blowout written all over it, but MCC stayed the course and played some solid basketball to end the game hopefully boosting them into their next contest.

Scoring Leaders: Chant Mitchell 17, Christian Tentinger 7, Nate Kleven 6, Tanner Graphenteen 6, Abe Paulzine 5, Aidan Dierks 4

Rebound Leaders: Nate Kleven and Chant Mitchell 5 each, Christian Tentinger 4

Assist Leaders: Nate Kleven and Tanner Graphenteen each had 3

Steals Leaders: Derek Kluis 4