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Thea Schneider -
Abby Overman -
Ava Deacon
The MCC Rebel Girls Basketball team opened the 20232024 season on Tuesday night at Woodstock Communications Court at the Murray County Central Gymnasium for the very first time. The Rebels took on the TMB Panthers, a team the Rebels have not beaten in over a decade. The Rebels would open their new floor with three wins on the night, winning at the C and B squad levels before beating the Panthers to open the year.
MCC dressed just nine players for their first game and everyone played in the game’s first five minutes. The Rebels and the Panthers are younger teams with just four seniors between the two teams and MCC had 3 of the 4.
What would separate the two teams on Tuesday was the ability to make shots. The Rebels knocked down four three-point shots in each half while the Panthers made just one all game long. Both teams struggled with turnovers and the Rebels struggled with fouls. Their ability to put back-to-back baskets together was what was the difference. The Rebels led at the half 30 to 24 having 6 players score at least 4 points. The Panthers had two players score more than four points.
In the second half, the Rebels defense played even better, holding TMB to just 17 points, eight of which came from 8th grader Gretchen Lanoue. The Rebels, on the other hand, played pretty evenly on the offensive end, scoring 30 in the first half and 28 in the second. Kelli Miller would lead the Rebels in the second half with 11 points including 3 3-point shots.
The Rebels balance extended throughout the lineup as MCC’s bench combined for 25 points. The Rebels struggled with turnovers but forced more than they gave up and they didn’t allow the Panthers to ever get comfortable. MCC would pick up the win 58 to 41.
The Rebels were led in scoring by Kelli Miller with 15, Taylor Larson scored 11, and Jayda Hellewell dropped in 10 points. Thea Schneider added 5 points but had 8 rebounds and 4 assists leading the team in both categories. Lily Daniels scored 7 points and led the team with 3 steals.
It was a good first game for the Rebels. Now they will look to improve on Friday night against the Coyotes of Heron Lake Okabena Fulda.
