The C-team was looking to go into the Christmas break undefeated against a tough TMB squad. TMB would take control early in the game, but MCC would not go away and used a solid team effort to regain control before half. Leading by 2 at half 19-17 it looked like it was going to be a barn burner but the Rebels would find another level in the second half. On multiple occasions the ball movement was impressive, moving seamlessly from one teammate to the next on time and on target leading to easy buckets around the rim, wide open perimeter shots, or attacking scrambling closeouts. It was a high level of basketball for this level as MCC would pull away for the 47-31 win.
The B-team would look to get back on track and go into the Christmas break with only one loss and they would do just that. Using full court pressure from the tip the Rebels jumped out to a big lead. Bryce Hoekman would dominate in the paint scoring 10 of the teams 24 first half points. TMB would make three baskets in the first half against the stingy defense, but all would be three’s and add 1 free throw, the Rebels had a 24-10 halftime lead. The second half would be more of the same as the Rebels would put up 26 points and would hold TMB to 16, this time none were three-point makes. A balanced scoring attack would see 8 MCC Rebels get in the scoring column with Hoekman leading the way with 16, Ross Englekes had 8, as did Ben Ahlers who hit 2, 3-point shots. Dylan Kramer would have 6, Owen Gillette finished with 5, Hudson Schryvers had 3, and Wyatt Loosbrock and Talan Felber each had 2.
The varsity game would have a lot of anticipation to it which would most likely have a spirited competition and it did not disappoint. Both teams riding winning streaks into the game and of course the football rivalry that preceded the winter seasons would all add to the playoff like atmosphere in Tracy.
The game did not get off the start MCC would have hoped and this would be a reoccurring theme for both halves. Starting the game in zone, TMB would get hot early, connecting on 5, 3-point shots in the first half, but most of them in the first couple minutes. Starting out on a 9-0 run MCC would need to use a timeout. Out of the timeout the Rebels switched to man to man and would begin to settle in. After spotting the hot shooting Panthers 9, the rest of the half would be tight, with MCC scoring 26 and TMB scoring 27 points.
The Rebels would answer back with 5, 3-point shots of their own. Tanner Graphenteen would connect on 2, Chant Mitchell 1, and Abe Paulzine who had an incredible game would keep the Rebels in the game in the first half, splashing in 3, 3-point shots of his own. Paulzine would add another bucket to give him 11 in the first half.
Foul trouble would hurt the Rebels as Nate Kleven would sit a large chunk of the first half, but he would definitely make his presence felt in the high energy, high spirited second half. With Paulzine leading the way with 11 first half points, Chant Mitchell and Tanner Graphenteen would add 6 each, Derek Kluis 4, and Nate Kleven, 2. TMB would lead by 10 going into the break, 36-26.
Remembering that the first half started on a 9-0 TMB run, the second half unfortunately would start off almost exactly the same, with TMB having an 8-0 spurt. This time it wasn’t because of careless turnovers by the Rebels, the ball just wouldn’t go in the hole. MCC missed two lay-ups and an open jumper to start the half. TMB outscored MCC 17-0 in about a 4-minute span combining the starts of both halves. A difficult task to overcome against a solid TMB team who features a 6-7 center. Hot shooting from the outside and a strong presence in the post makes for a tough challenge for anyone, but MCC would not go away without a fight.
Down 18 early in the second half, the Rebels chipped away and as the Rebels team motto off the stonecutter mentality, “Pounded the Stone” on both ends of the floor. A tough man to man defense which has not been a strength of the Rebels this year would make the Panthers earn every pass and basket in the second half Holding TMB to 27 second half points, 8 of which were in the first 2 minutes.
Hot shooting from the outside and a strong presence in the post makes for a tough challenge for anyone, but MCC would not go away without a fight. Down 18 early in the second half, the Rebels chipped away and as the Rebels team motto of the stonecutter mentality, “Pounded the Stone” on both ends of the floor.
A tough man to man defense which has not been a strength of the Rebels this year would make the Panthers earn every pass and basket in the second half Holding TMB to 27 second half points, 8 of which were in the first 2 minutes. The Rebels would find a rhythm on offense playing through the high post, elbow to elbow. Nate Kleven would be back in the fold for the entire half and would dominate with 9 second half points and multiple rebounds, putting pressure on the defense constantly.
Chant Mitchell would continue his steady play into the second half, putting in 7 points, but also had 3 assists in the second half. Tanner Graphenteen would make his presence felt as well, with a large goose egg on his eye, Graphenteen would play tough picking up two charges showing no regard for his body. He also led the Rebels with 4 assists and played outstanding man to man defense all game, rarely coming off the floor.
The Rebels cut the 18-point lead to 6 late in the second half and an open three point shot by Derek Kluis rattled in and out that would have cut it to 3. Unfortunately, that was as close as they would get, losing a battle by 9, 63-54. You take that the Rebels were 8-33 from beyond the arc, they spotted TMB 9 and 8 in both halves, shot 21-63 from the game, MCC put forth a great effort to make it the type of game it was hyped up to be.
Only turning the ball over 9 times was impressive and big part of why the Rebels were able to come back. Credit TMB on both ends of the floor playing a consistent game and MCC for battling back in a high spirited and highly competitive ball game.
Points: Chant Mitchell, 13 Abe Paulzine, 11 Nate Kleven, 11 Tanner Graphenteen, 8 Derek Kluis, 7, Christian Tentinger and Aidan Dierks, 2 apiece.
Rebounding: Chant Mitchell and Nate Kleven, 9 apiece Tanner Graphenteen, Abe Paulzine, and Christian Tentinger, 4 each
Assists: Tanner Graphenteen, 4 Chant Mitchell, 3
Steals: Tanner Graphenteen, 3
