MACA set for challenge vs. Jackson County

MACA boys basketball heads into mid-March not only still standing but undefeated! Now we're looking at a Thursday game against Jackson County Central to determine the section champion. Will the Tigers carry the 3AA banner into state? I for one feel confident. 

Three games are history in the section tournament. We took care of ACGC at the home gym on Feb. 27. Next it was New London-Spicer as the opponent and we handled business pretty easily. We beat the Wildcats 69-37 at the Willmar "Big Red" gym. 

On to Southwest State! That is where the climactic section games are played. The score was 74-44 as it was really "no contest" against Minnewaska Area. 

One game remains for the Tigers at the "R/A Facility" of SSU. On Thursday we'll play the Huskies of Jackson County Central. Unfortunately the game's starting time is late for the folks who drive home to Morris. It's 8 p.m. Everyone had better make sure to be well-rested beforehand. 

I'm always reminded of the years when lots of important post-season games were here at UMM. Memories drifting away. 

Rich memories are certainly being formed with the ascent of this year's Tigers. Incredible how the Tigers have gone through an undefeated season! The numbers stand at 28-0 now. Next we'll be facing an opponent that has a 24-6 mark. Most of you would know that Jackson County Central is located down south. The JCC Huskies sport a 24-6 record. 

Might the Tigers be considered a strong favorite if not prohibitive? If our coach Torgerson is typical he'd discourage such talk. 

Jackson County Central lost its final game of the regular season to Belle Plaine, 90-83. They went on to defeat Pipestone Area in round 1 of the post-season. Score of 62-48. 

The JCC "Huskies"

Next the Huskies took on Fairmont and prevailed 70-52. And then it was Montevideo that took the court to challenge the Huskies. Huskies came on strong to win 77-63. 

The story of the 3AA title game is yet to be written. 

JCC faced Montevideo in last year's section title game. Monte scored the final eight points in the last minute. This pushed the Thunder Hawks to an advantage of one point and the victory. 

Fast-forward to the present: JCC appeared on the ropes for a time in this re-match of the two squads. They were down 30-19 late in the first half. It was rally-time as they had a ten-point run. It's anybody's ballgame now. 

The Thunder Hawks righted their ship to score the last four points of the half. They extended their momentum to score the first five of the second half. JCC looked to be in trouble again, down 39-29. 

Roman Voss of the Huskies put on his cape, as it were, and went on a scoring binge. The binge totally got JCC back in the game. a deficit of a mere one point. Lots of suspense and back-and-forth in this game. MACA coach Torgerson will surely know that you can't get complacent facing the Huskies. 

Voss executed a three-point play and fellow Husky Sullivan Hall made a basket. Now the Huskies had their first lead since an early 15-14 advantage. 

Monte had the moxie to keep challenging hard. Monte achieved a 54-50 lead.  The back and forth nature of the game then vanished as JCC ruled. My, the Huskies ruled with a 27-9 run the rest of he way! A string of eight straight points really made a statement for JCC. Voss accounted for four of these, Hall for the other four. 

The scoreboard showed 58-54. Monte scored a basket. Then Weston Rowe sank a '3' for JCC. Voss made a basket and the score became 63-56, JCC looking good with the advantage. Blaise Rowe made a '3' to further stoke JCC's fortunes. This dramatic long-ranger was the start of a 14-2 run. It was over. 

The stat sheet shows Voss in a prominent role with 33 points, 22 of them in the second half. Voss also contributed six rebounds, five assists and three steals. Winston Rowe finished with 19 points, 12 of them in the first half. Hall scored his game total six points in the second half. Blaise Rowe had nine points, four rebounds. 

Ben Gallagher had three points but was probably more important with the defense he played on Monte's Griffin Epema. Standout Epema was held to ten points. Let's acknowledge the bench as Carter Buhl came through with six points. 

Please note: the Huskies have won 16 of their 17 games since a regular season setback vs. Montevideo. 

We're all set here in Motown to watch the Asmus boys and their confident mates take on the dangerous Huskies of Jackson County Central, Thursday at 8 p.m. Get your rest beforehand, guys.

Quite the milestone for Alex Asmus and the Tigers. A thousand career points for Alex, an undefeated record for the Tigers.
 

- Brian Williams - bwilly73@yahoo.com