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MCW upsets No. 1-seeded USC

Rebels defeated Madelia 70-29 in opening round of Subsection

By Chuck Hunt - Editor | Mar 12, 2023

Nick Bushlack gets a shot off while being surrounded by Madelia defenders.

The United South Central Rebels boys basketball team’s season came to an end when they were upset in the semifinals of the Section 2AA, South Subsection Tourney.

The No. 1 seeded Rebels lost 56-50 to the No. 4 seeded Martin County West Mavericks in a game played Thursday night, March 9, at St. Peter High School.

The Rebels trailed the Mavericks 25-17 at the end of the first half. USC then outscored MCW 33-31 in the second half, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit.

Zale Bushlack led the charge for the Rebels, getting 15 of his team high 18 points in the second half. That included a 3-pointer near the end of the game that put USC within three, at 50-47.

Johnny Martinez and Nick Bushlack had each hit 3-pointers earlier that had cut the Mavericks’ lead and put the Rebels within four points at 48-44.

Nick Bushlack finished with 10 points for the Rebels, while Johnny Martinez had nine. Martinez also had seven rebounds, three steals and three assists.

Taybor Conley scored seven points and Jorge Martinez had six points.

Zale Bushlack was 6 of 18 for shooting from the floor and was 3 of 5 for free-throws. Nick Bushlack was 4 of 10 from the field and Johnny Martinez was 3 of 10 from the floor and 2 of 5 from the line.

As a team USC was 8 of 28 for 3-point attempts. The Rebels also had 22 rebounds to the Mavericks’ 32, had six assists to their nine, seven steals to their five and four blocks to their eight.

The Mavericks were hot at the charity stripe, making 21 of 26 of their free throws.

The Rebels end their season with a 20-8 overall record.

USC 70, Madelia 29

The United South Central Rebel boys’ basketball team advanced to the semifinals of the 2A South Subsection after a convincing win over the Madelia Blackhawks on Tuesday, March 7.

The Rebels took control early and had a 30-9 lead at halftime, on their way to a big 70-29 victory over the Blackhawks.

The Subsection’s No. 1 seeded Rebels now moved on to take on the No. 4 seeded Martin County West Mavericks in a game that was set to be played on Thursday, March 9, at St. Peter High School.

Against the Blackhawks last Tuesday, the Rebels controlled the game with great defense and made some transition baskets early.

“The defense continued in the second half as Zale Bushlack and Taybor Conley dominated inside on the smaller Madelia team,” coach Adam Walker said. “The Rebels outscored Madelia by a 40-20 margin in the second half to advance.”

Two Rebels had double-doubles in the game.

Zale Bushlack had another great game, scoring 32 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. He was 11 of 14 for 2-point tries, 1 of 2 for 3-pointers and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line.

Taybor Conley had 16 points as well as 11 rebounds.

Nick Bushlack added nine points for USC, and Johnny Martinez had six points, Jorge Martinez three and Nathaniel Clore two.

As a team the Rebels shot 71 percent for 2-pointers – 22 of 31. They made 4 of 15 for 3-pointers (27 percent). USC also made 82 percent of their free-throws (14 of 17).

The Blackhawks were only 7 of 39 for 2-pointers (18 percent), 4 of 15 for 3-pointers (27 percent), but were 3 for 3 (100 percent) for free throws.

USC had double the rebounds of Madelia, 36 to their 18. The Rebels also had 18 assists to their nine, eight blocks to their none and 12 turnovers to their 14. Both teams had nine steals.