REBEL GIRLS CELEBRATE WINS IN FIRST TWO PLAYOFF GAMES

MCC VS. EDGERTON

The MCC Rebel Girls Basketball team was the third seed in the Sub-Section 3A South playoffs. The Rebels, who had their best regular season record in seven years, got to advance to Super Saturday without having to play in a pigtail game this past Thursday and instead had a week to prepare for the sixth seeded Edgerton Flying Dutchmen. The Rebels were looking to win their first Super Saturday game since the 2018-2019 season. That year the quarterfinal games were moved due to snow. The Rebels had not won a Super Saturday game in Worthington in two decades.

The Rebels and the Flying Dutchmen split their regular season match ups, with Edgerton winning in Slayton and the Rebels winning in Edgerton. The Rebels have been playing their best basketball at the end of the season and that continued on Saturday. The Rebels fell behind early, as Kya Voge drained three first half three point shots and the Flying Dutchmen were soaring early. The Rebels would respond with Ava Deacon taking the game over. First, on defense, where the Rebel senior guard recorded 5 first half steals which then led to points. Deacon went to the basket early in the game and then, as the half continued, she was hitting from deep. Deacon scored 13 first half points as the Rebels built a lead that climbed to nine points. Cali Wagner answered just before half with a couple of baskets and MCC led at the break 29 to 24.

The second half would belong to the Rebels. Both teams started slowly, but after another Voge three point basket, the Rebels went on a run that saw them take a double digit lead. Ava Deacon and Kat Miller combined for the 11 second half points and MCC’s lead grew to 15 points. Calleigh Doeden scored 7 second half points, including her first made three point shot of her career. The Flying Dutchmen, led by Reese Vande Griend, tried to come back and though they did reduce the Rebels’ lead to four points, the Rebels made enough free throws down the stretch to get the win 51 to 44. Edgerton would never get within a one possession game with the ball.

This game saw the Rebels shoot 30% from the field while the Dutchmen shot 29%. The difference was turnovers. The Rebels forced the Dragons into 21 turnovers in the game while the Rebels gave the ball away just 10 times. Ava Deacon had a great game for the Rebels, finishing with 19 points and 6 steals. Calleigh Doeden finished with 9 points and 5 rebounds. Kat Miller scored 8 points and Kate Blankenship led the team with 10 rebounds.

The Rebels’ win moves them to the Sub-Section Semifinals. The Rebels take on the Adrian Ellsworth Dragons on Tuesday night in Worthington at 7:30 for a chance to play in the Sub-Section 3A South Title game. MCC VS. ADRIAN/ELLSWORTH

The MCC Rebel girls were back in Worthington Tuesday to play the Adrian Ellsworth Dragons for a third time this season. The Rebels - the three seed in the subsection - tournament and the second seed Dragons were playing for a chance to take on the HBC Patriots in the Sub Section Title game on Friday. The Rebels and Dragons split their two games in the regular season with each team winning at home. Both teams have been red hot at the end of the season but on Tuesday night the Rebels would find a way to come out on top.

Murray County Central had not been this far in the playoffs in six seasons, while the Dragons played in this game just a year ago. The Rebels showed some nerves early, which was more apparent on offense than defense.

Both teams played some great early defense, forcing turnovers and allowing easy shots. The Dragons got off to the quicker start on offense, going ahead 10-2. The Rebels first points were scored by Brielle Plotz. The Rebels fell behind 17-6 with just under 7 minutes to go in the first half. Shandra Cuperus scored her second basket of the game. At the time, the Rebels had twice as many turnovers as points.

The Rebels started to come back when Ava Deacon hit a 3-pointer and later a driving layup. With under a minute to play in the half, Kat Miller made her first 3-point shot of the game and the Rebels took their first lead, 18 to 17. The Dragons turned the ball over with seconds left, and Joelle Hellewell made a 10-foot jump shot along the right baseline as time expired. The Rebels led 20-17 at the half.

The Dragons scored the first points of the second half, but the Rebels would answer with a 3-point shot by Kat Miller. The Rebels’ 4-point lead expanded from there as the Rebels started to carry the momentum from the first half to the second. Kate Blankenship put the Rebels ahead by 6 on the runner in the lane and Ava Deacons’ basket put the Rebels ahead 27 to 19.

The Rebels dominated the glass and picked up the on-ball pressure, forcing the Dragons into turnovers. The Rebels led by 10 points with 12:36 to play in the second half and answered every time the Dragons scored. Shandra Cuperus scored 13 points in the second half and Ava Deacon scored 12. Kate Blankenship added 9 in the half as the Rebels pulled away for the 59 to 43 win.

The Rebels advance to the Sub Section 3A title game for the first time since 2006. It will be the Rebels third time playing in the game in school history. The Rebels beat Fulda in 1995 and lost to Fulda in 2006. Friday night the Rebels will play the Red Rock Conference Champions, Hills Beaver Creek, for the Sub Section Title.

Tuesday night the Rebels were led by Ava Deacon’s 17 points, Blankenship added 13. Brielle Plotz and Kate Blankenship grabbed 8 rebounds each and Reese Gilbertson and Calliegh Doeden had 7 each. The Rebels Brielle Plotz and Joelle Hellewell combined to score 15 points, compared to the Dragons’ bench which scored 2. The Rebels look to match the longest run in the playoffs ever with a win Friday night.