Hornets to to host NYM in regular season opener on Friday
Sports | Published on January 13, 2021 at 11:58am EST | Author: Chad Koenen
0By Chad Koenen
Publisher
There is perhaps no better word to describe the Henning Hornets basketball team over the last three years other than dominant.
Henning went 60-2 over the past two seasons, which included a state championship in 2019 and top ranking in the state in 2020 before the state tournament was canceled due to COVID-19. The 10 seniors from last year’s boys basketball team have passed the torch to a new generation of Hornets this season.
The seniors lost to graduation from last year’s team includes Lee Bjorklund, Luke Bjorklund, Isaac Fisher, Parker Fraki, Nick Miller, Jackson Nyhus, Marcus Sigman, Brandon Trana, Blaine Wallevand and Blake Wallevand. Over the past three years alone the Hornets have won 79 games, three straight conference titles and were section champions in both 2019 and 2020.
This year the Hornets will be led by a pair of seniors in Joe Angell and Ethan Houselog, as well as juniors Tanner Arndt and Kyle Tierney and sophomores Riley Bode, Carter Dilly, Mason Hammer, Tyson Misegades and Keegan Shaw.
“For the first time in several years, we do not return much experience, or have a great deal of depth,” said Head Coach Randy Misegades. “Tanner Arndt has the most experience and will provide stability at the point guard position. We need him to be a floor leader and look to score for our team to be successful. Both of our seniors, Joe Angell and Ethan Houselog, bring good size and will be expected to rebound, provide some scoring punch, and be solid in the paint.
“Sophomores Tyson Misegades and Mason Hammer have played a great deal of basketball and will need to grow up quickly to give us a chance,” he continued. “Both players are skilled and shoot the ball well. Our lack of depth is going to present a big challenge for our team.”
Depth will be an issue for the Hornets with just nine players out for basketball this year in grades 10-12, however, Misegades still expects the team to be competitive this season.
“Our kids have seen what it takes to be successful, and they competed against a very good varsity team every day in practice last season. Our message to the players is to ‘control what we can control,’” said Misegades. “We need to be grateful for every opportunity we get, and be ready to play when we are allowed to take the floor. We want to get better each day and see where we are come playoff time. We are excited for the chance to improve and compete.”
Among the favorites in the conference this season will be New York Mills who Misegades said returns nearly everyone from last year’s team. They also have a talented junior class and will be among the favorites in the section this season as well.
Other section favorites, which will be among the most competitive in the state will be Mahnomen-Waubun, Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, Ashby, Hancock and West Central Area.
“Our kids have seen what it takes to be successful, and they competed against a very good varsity team every day in practice last season. Our message to the players is to ‘control what we can control,’” said Misegades. “We need to be grateful for every opportunity we get, and be ready to play when we are allowed to take the floor. We want to get better each day and see where we are come playoff time. We are excited for the chance to improve and compete.”