Rebels win three, improve record to 7-4
by Coach Mark Lundin
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| Devon Egeness shot forward and took down a couple of the Upsala opposition. -photo by Ray Benning |
Last week the Eagle Valley Rebels boy's basketball team took home wins over Upsala, Parkers Prairie and Battle Lake. The wins improved the Rebels record to 7-4, heading into a string of conference games over the next two weeks. Solid defense combined with improved shooting from the perimeter proved to be the difference in all three victories.
Upsala
After playing seven consecutive road games the Rebels finally returned to the friendly confines at home and posted a 59-48 conference win over the Upsala Cardinals. It was a close game early with both teams struggling from the perimeter and finding the inside game difficult to do very physical play. The Cardinals were able to gain a two-point lead at the break, 28-26. The second half proved to be the difference for the home team as they were able to get on track offensively and push the ball up the floor for some easy baskets. Trevor Ahrendt's five assists helped Devon Egeness net 23 points and provided a spark midway through the second half. Tyler Notch added some timely baskets on strong moves, while Josh Wagner chipped in seven points with some nifty moves. The Rebel's defense combined for 14 steals with Dillon Lundin swatting nine Cardinal shots in a strong defensive effort. Eagle Valley was 10 of 15 from the line and improved to 1-2 in the conference. "Anytime you can win a conference game, it's a plus. I was pleased with our effort in the second half," noted Coach Wold.
Parkers Prairie
The Rebels hit the road again Thursday night for a rematch with the Panthers. Earlier in the season the Rebels defeated the Panthers 57-43 in their Christmas tournament. Both teams got off to a slow start trying to establish themselves. Parkers wanted to play man-to-man defense, but the Rebels created mismatches inside forcing the Panthers to play zone. That move set the table for Tyler Notch and he delivered from beyond the arc three times to get the Rebels off and running. Scrappy play continued throughout the half with the Panthers clinging to a two-point lead, 30-28. The second half was much of the same with both teams playing well, but neither able to extend their lead. Late in the half with Parkers up three Devon Egeness and Dillon Lundin scored on successive possessions giving Eagle Valley a one-point lead. A strong defensive stand led to a Panther turnover and Josh Wagner was fouled. He converted both ends of the one and one to build the lead to 3 at 57-54. With only seconds remaining the Panthers needed to go the length of the floor and make a three to tie. But, after a time out, Trevor Ahrendt committed a planned foul sending Parkers to the line for a one and one. They missed the front end and Mitch Ahrendt collected the rebound, got fouled and made two free throws of his own sealing the Rebels five point victory, 59-54. Egeness and Notch paced the Rebels with 19 and 12 respectively. Eagle Valley had 18 team assists in the win.
Battle Lake
The Rebels traveled to Battle Lake on Saturday for an afternoon tilt with the Battlers hoping to knock them off and complete a perfect week of games. The Rebels wasted no time jumping on the Battlers early and often with relentless defense and hot shooting. Tyler Notch hit 4 three pointers and Josh Wagner added one, which he turned into a four-point play. Lundin, Egeness and Mitch Ahrendt controlled the inside, as the Battlers just could not get on track. The Rebels balanced attack gave the Battlers fits as Eagle Valley converted from inside and out, racing to a 41-17 halftime lead and never looking back, posting a 67-43 victory. Four Eagle Valley players reached double figures: Egeness (21), Notch (14), Lundin (10) and Wagner (10). The Rebels subbed freely in the second half with many players scoring in the contest. Eagle Valley collected 13 steals in the game and shot almost 50% from the field, while controlling both the offensive and defensive glass. Coach Wold added, "This was a good win for our kids, you can see the pieces starting to come together. We will need this type of effort when we head into the heart of the conference schedule next week." Eagle Valley is now 7-4 on the season with a conference game in St. John's on Monday and home against Browerville on Thursday night.