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Rebel boys make it three-in-a-row

Win big over Madelia after holding on for victory over Faribault B. A.

By Chuck Hunt - Editor | Dec 17, 2023

USC's Aiden Crabtree, above, finds himself open for a three-pointer when the Rebels hosted Faribault Bethlehem B.A.

The United South Central boys basketball team won their third straight game of the season as they downed the Madelia Blackhawks by a score of 53-32 on Saturday night, Dec. 9, in Madelia.

It was another great start to the game for the Rebels as they jumped out to a 15-5 lead early before notching a 28-12 lead at the end of the first half.

“Blake Bullerman got us going early with some inside baskets as the three pointers were not falling,” coach Adam Walker said. “But our relentless defense held Madelia in check for most of the game.”

It was Dylan Bonsack who would eventually rip the nets with a 3-pointer after the Rebels’ 0-5 start from beyond the arc, the coach added.

Jon Stanke led the team with 21 points, Bullerman had 15, Aiden Crabtree added eight and Bonsack five.

CJ Schumann had nine rebounds, Stanke eight, Bullerman seven and Bonsack six.

“We held Madelia’s top scorers Demaris (4) and Jones (9) to a total of 13 points and Madelia as a whole had a tough time getting open looks all night,” coach Walker said. “I was so proud of how we came out and shut the door early on.”

The Rebels started the second half on a 19-3 run and had a 41-15 lead with 10 minutes left in the game.

Madelia went on a run after the Rebel bench came on the court but USC still led by as much as 19.

“This was a big win as Madelia had just knocked off Mankato Loyola earlier in the week and had a lot of confidence coming in,” the coach added. “We are now 3-0 overall, 1-0 in the conference, and 1-0 vs. subsection opponents.”

As a team the Rebels shot 49 percent for 2-pointers (19 of 39), 23 percent for 3-pointers (3 of 13) and 67 percent for free throws (6 of 9).

The Blackhawks were 34 percent from inside the arc (13 of 38), 14 percent for outside the arc (2 of 14) and 0 percent for free throws (0 for 7).

The Rebels outrebounded the Hawks 41 to 22, had 11 assists to their six, 11 steals to their seven and 16 turnovers to their 14.

The USC boys’ next game was scheduled to be on Friday, Dec. 15 at Triton.

This week they are set to play Martin County West at home on Monday, Dec. 18, Blooming Prairie at home on Tuesday, Dec. 19. and New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva at home on Friday, Dec. 22.

USC 47, FBA 38

The United South Central boys basketball team used a hot first half to take a 47-38 victory over the Faribault Bethlehem Academy Cardinals on Friday night, Dec. 8.

The Rebels were up 32 to 19 at the end of the first half, but were outscored 19-15 in the second stanza.

“We jumped out to an 18-4 lead early on thanks to some great outside shooting,” Rebels coach Adam Walker said. “Four players each had at least one 3-pointer in the first half with Jon Stanke knocking down three of his own 3-pointers to lead the team with 13 points in the first half.”

Blake Bullerman connected on six assists in the first six minutes of the game as he hit open players for threes.

The hot start would help get the big lead at the half, but baskets were a little harder to come by in the second half.

Stanke would lead the team with 21 points. Nathan Mutschler had seven, Dylan Bonsack had six and Aiden Crabtree and CJ Schumann both had five points.

Stanke had seven rebounds and Crabtree had five. Bullerman, Mutschler and Bonsack all had four each.

The coach noted that it was excellent defense in the second half that was the key to the win.

“Stanke came up big with some key steals and layups,” Walker said. “We really struggled from the free throw line late and could’ve put the game away a lot earlier but we defended so well on their top players and came out with the win.”

As a team the Rebels shot 49 percent for 2-pointers (19 of 39), 23 percent for 3-pointers (3 of 13) and 67 percent from the free throw line (6 of 9).

The Cards were 36 percent for 2-pointers (15 of 42), 20 percent for threes (2 of 10) and 33 percent from the line (2 of 6).

USC had 27 rebounds to FBA’s 36, 14 assists to their five, nine steals to their seven and 17 turnovers to their 22.