USC guard Zayden Schott gets a shot off against two Nicollet defenders during the Rebels’ 79-52 victory on Feb. 20, in Wells.

The United South Central Rebels hung tough while being short handed against one of the top two teams in the conference at Janesville on Friday night, Feb. 23. But in the end the Rebels lost to the Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton Bulldogs by a score of 64-52.

“The game went back and forth throughout as Jon Stanke led all scorers with 28 points to keep the Rebels in the game,” coach Adam Walker said. “We were down eight at half. However, we would eventually cut the lead to four with just under seven minutes left, but a huge block on what looked like a breakaway layup for the Rebels turned the other way for a bucket and a four-point swing.”

JWP took that six point lead and built it up to 10, the coach added. After a couple baskets by Stanke to cut the lead to six again, JWP was able to knock down some free throws late and pull out the win.

Besides Stanke’s 28 points, CJ Schumann had 10 points, Blake Bullerman nine and Zayden Schott five.

The Rebels shot 48 percent for 2-pointers (14 of 29), 18 percent for 3-pointers (4 of 22) and 60 percent for free throws (12 for 20).

The Bulldogs were 23 of 38 for twos (61 percent), 4 of 17 for threes (24 percent) and 6 of 14 for free throws (43 percent).

USC had 29 rebounds to JWP’s 25, seven assists to their 13, nine steals to their four, two blocks to their three and both teams had 13 turnovers.

Next up for the Rebels is a game on Tuesday, March 5, in the Sub-Section quarterfinals. No. 3 seed USC will be hosting No. 6 seed Alden-Conger at 8 p.m.

The late start is due to having to start after the polls close for the Presidential Primary Election.

USC 79, Nicollet 52

The United South Central Rebels boys basketball team came out from the starting blocks on Senior Night, Tuesday, Feb. 20, and dominated the visiting Nicollet Raiders leading 39-17 at the half and 79-52 at the end of the game.

Seniors Jon Stanke and Blake Bullerman led the charge with 18 and 21, respectively, and junior Aiden Crabtree lit up the nets with seven three pointers en route to a career high performance of 25 points.

“Senior Brennan Anderson got his first career start and played solid minutes for us, contributing four points and six rebounds with four of those coming on the offensive end,” coach Adam Walker said. “It was a great team win.”

The Rebels lit up the nets shooting 21 of 32 for 2-point shots (66 percent), 9 of 30 3-point tries (30 percent) and 10 of 16 free throws (63 percent).

The Raiders made 18 of 29 inside the arc shots (62 percent), 1 of 18 from outside the arc (6 percent) and 13 of 16 from the charity stripe (81 percent).

The Rebels had 35 rebounds to the Raiders’ 25, 19 assists to their 13, 16 steals to their four, two blocks to their three and just 11 turnovers to their 18.