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Rebel boys go 1-1 at BEA Tourney

They defeat Jaguars after falling to Sibley East Wolverines

By Chuck Hunt - Editor | Jan 7, 2024

The Rebels’ CJ Schumann looks to score during a game played earlier this season at USC.

The United South Central Rebels won one game and lost one during the Blue Earth Area Holiday Tournament, on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 28 and 29.

The Rebels fell 71-62 to the Sibley East Wolverines on Thursday, then came back with a 66-45 victory over the Truman/Martin Luther/Granada-Huntley-East Chain Jaguars on Friday.

Sibley East 71, USC 62

The Rebels ran into a hot shooting Sibley East squad on Thursday, and lost by nine points at 71-62.

“Sibley East made six of their 10 threes in the first half to help them jump out to a 10 point lead at the break,” coach Adam Walker said. “Despite a good run led by Jon Stanke and the Rebels’ ‘D,’ the Wolverines were able to hang on in the end and win 71-62.”

The Rebels cut the lead to seven with about five minutes left in the game, when Stanke stole the inbound pass but had the ball ripped out of his hands, the coach explained. That would lead to a gut wrenching three on the other end, he added.

Stanke led all scorers in the game with 31 points. Aiden Crabtree added 12 points, Dylan Bonsack had seven and CJ Schumann and Blake Bullerman each had five.

As a team, the Rebels were 18 of 35 for 2-pointers (51 percent), 6 of 28 for 3-pointers (21 percent) and 8 of 25 for free throws (32 percent).

“We missed a lot of free throws late and they were able to capitalize on some offensive rebounds from their own free throw woes, as well as some great shooting late when they needed it,” coach Walker said.

The Wolverines were 13 of 23 for 2-pointers (57 percent), 10 of 21 for 3-pointers (48 percent) and 15 of 31 (48 percent) for free throws.

Sibley East outrebounded USC 43-30, and had more assists, 19-11. The Rebels had more steals, 17 to 9, and fewer turnovers, 16 to 29.

Next up for the Rebels was a home game on Friday, Jan. 5, against Randolph.

This week the Rebels will host St. Charles on Monday, Jan. 8, and face Maple River on Tuesday, Jan. 9, in Mapleton.

USC 66, T/ML/GHEC 45

The USC Rebels led by 20 at halftime, 43-23, on their way to a big 66-45 win in Blue Earth over the Truman/Martin Luther/Granada-Huntley-East Chain Jaguars on Friday.

In fact, at one point in the first half, the Rebels were ahead 41-16.

“This was a much better defensive effort by the Rebels and some great outside shooting helped us rebound for a big win over subsection opponent T/ML/GHEC,” coach Adam Walker said. “We held their starting five to just nine points on the night, most of which came in the first half.”

The coach added that he was really pleased with how the team responded overall after a tough loss the day before.

“We played so well defensively and really shut down anything they were trying to do on offense,” Walker added. “Combine that with great shooting and ball movement on offense and we ran away with a victory Friday afternoon.”

Jonathan Stanke had an outstanding game, leading the Rebels with 27 points. In fact, he had as many points in the first half (23) as the entire Jaguar team.

Stanke also had eight rebounds, seven assists and nine steals.

Aiden Crabtree and Zayden Schott each had eight points, Nathan Mutschler had five and Wyatt Sparks and Blake Bullerman each had four. Bullerman led the team in rebounds with nine.

In all, 11 Rebels hit the scoring column.

As a team, USC shot 50 percent for 2-pointers, 17 of 34, 32 percent for 3-pointers, 7 of 22, and 44 percent for free throws, 11 of 25.

The Jaguars were 15 of 32 inside the arc (47 percent), 3 of 23 outside the arc (13 percent) and 6 of 11 at the line (55 percent).

Despite a lop-sided score, the stats were fairly close. The Rebels had 35 rebounds to the Jags’ 34, 13 assists to their 11, 11 steals to their 12, three blocks to their five and 17 turnovers to their 21.