"You'll never get ahead if you don't take care of what you have." - Doris Waddell, RIP

The late Ralph E. Williams with "Heidi" - morris mn

The late Ralph E. Williams with "Heidi" - morris mn
Click on the image to read Williams family reflections w/ emphasis on UMM.

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Can MACA boys turn tables vs. Minnewaska?

The MACA boys are seeking to extend their campaign, having advanced quite routinely through the first round of post-season. The girls are done. So the boys carry the MACA Tiger basketball banner now, trying to advance step by step, fresh from a dominating win over Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City.
The Tigers will have their next challenge on Thursday, March 8, against Minnewaska Area. The site will be neither Morris nor 'Waska, it will be Willmar for this 6 p.m. game. We're in Section 3AA.
If we look back on regular season scores, the challenge will probably be pretty substantial for us. February 2 saw the Tigers fall to the Lakers 59-47 at home. Then on December 14, the Tigers lost to 'Waska 52-41 on the road. Can coach Mark Torgerson get the tables turned on Thursday? That's the question we're all awaiting the answers to.
The outcome of the ACGC game was heartening. Take a look at the halftime score: 53-26. And then look at the final: 89-44. What a robust offense the orange and black displayed. Our overall record is 13-13 coming out of this game. ACGC closed things out with an 11-15 mark. We had balance and quality among a number of individuals. Let's look at our top four scorers, all in double figures. Here we see Jaret Johnson leading the way with 24 points. Camden Arndt poured in 18. Tate Nelson produced 13 and Connor Koebernick 12.
This foursome was complemented by: Chandler Vogel (8), Kyle Staebler (7), Jaden Maanum (3), Mace Yellow (2) and Jackson Loge (2). The Tigers enjoyed good productivity in three-point shooting. Arndt put the ball through the twine three times from beyond that arc. Koebernick, Nelson and Johnson each had two 3-point makes. Maanum made one long-ranger. Koebernick led in rebounds with seven followed by Arndt and Loge each with six. Loge and Nelson each produced five assists, and Arndt led in steals with six.
The double figures scorers for the Falcons were Josh Kinzler (16) and Jaren Kaddatz (12). Their list continues with Kobe Holtz (5), Dawson Miller (4), Brayden Hedtke (3), Steven Lawver (2) and Michael Lambert (2). Kinzler succeeded three times from 3-point range. Holtz, Hedtke and Kaddatz each made one long-ranger. Holtz and Lambert each collected five rebounds. Kinzler and Holtz each executed two assists. Lawver stole the ball three times.
Morris Area Chokio Alberta is in the 3AA quarter-finals now. I sometimes get confused with the post-season structure and terminology. You see, the sub-section finals game is the same as the section semi-finals. I think it's hard for the casual fan to grasp the post-season organization. You really have to be a parent or a very committed fan. The destination will be Willmar on Thursday, 3/8.
 
Gage Wevley in state wrestling
MAHACA ended its season with Gage Wevley's appearance in the prestigious state tournament in St. Paul. The state's elite wrestlers assembled following tradition at Xcel Center, St. Paul. Wevley vied among the "big guys" in the 220-pound class (Class AA). He squared off against a Totino-Grace grappler, Nate Schultz. The bout didn't go well for the Tiger as he dropped a 10-1 major decision.
Wevley might have been done under these circumstances, but he was able to get another bout thanks to Schultz winning his next match. Schultz beat Reed Rasset of Annandale-Maple Lake. So Wevley bounded out onto the mat again, this time to take on Rasset on Friday evening (3/2). Again Wevley was unable to summon winning form and he fell vs. Rasset 7-2.
Wevley supplied lots of excitement with his MAHACA Tiger mates through the course of the 2017-18 winter. Fans will be ready and enthused for a new campaign next winter!
 
Hancock boys in action too
The exciting Owls of Hancock wrapped up their regular season on February 27 with a 75-50 win over Underwood at home. The home gym will be the site again when action resumes for Section 6 post-season play. Noah Kannegiesser and his high-flying Owl mates will play at the friendly Hancock gym on Thursday, March 8, against an opponent that was not yet announced as of Wednesday morning (according to the Pheasant Country Sports site). Game-time is 7 p.m.
Kannegiesser put in 21 points when the Owls took care of business against the Rockets of Underwood. The Owls had a triumvirate of high scorers. The record-setting Noah was complemented by Bennett Nienhaus with 18 points and Connor Reese with 17. Also in a complementary role were Cole Reese (9), Daniel Milander (4), Peyton Rohloff (4) and Colton Crowell (2). Kannegiesser made three shots from three-point range. Nienhaus, Connor Reese and Cole Reese each made one 3-pointer.
Rebound leaders were Connor Reese (9), Nienhaus (7) and Kannegiesser (6). The assists list was topped by Nienhaus (6), Milander (5) and Kannegiesser (4). Three Owls each had three steals: Kannegieser, Connor Reese and Cole Reese. The Owls led 36-28 halfway through. Hancock enters the post-season with a glittering 22-2 record. Underwood's record was left at 7-18.
Here's the Underwood scoring list: Camen Andrews (16), Winston Heifort (12), Levi Blaskowski (9), Canaan Kugler (8) and Nicholas Seiple (5). Andrews made three 3-point shots and Kugler made two.
 
Hancock girls end season
Unfortunately for Owl fans, their girls hoops squad had a one-and-done story for the post-season. The end came on Thursday, March 1, at the hands of Underwood in a 59-50 final at Underwood. The Rockets left the launching pad quite fine in the first half, gaining a 28-16 lead. The Owls had a slight edge in the second half but the damage had been done.
Underwood had a 1-2 punch in scoring that they applied en route to victory. Brenna Tinjum and Sydney Hovland each put in 17 points. Corina Mark scored 14, Ally Johnson eight, Kayla Rocholl two and Montana Evavold one. (You know you're covering Underwood when you type the "Evavold" name.)
Ashlyn Mattson spurred the Owls with her 20 points but it wasn't enough. Here's the rest of the HHS list: Lexi Staples (9), Katelynn Jepma (6), Tess Steiner (6), Reegan Hanson (6) and Haley Mattson (3). Ashlyn Mattson was on fire from three-point range, making five long-rangers! Staples made one '3'. Ashlyn Mattson with her seven rebounds led in that category. Haley Mattson contributed two assists and Ashlyn Mattson had two steals. Hancock finishes the season with an above-.500 record at 13-11. Underwood upped its W/L numbers to 18-7.
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com

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