Photo by Andi Honebrink
Members of the Henning basketball team played a non-conference game against the Staples-Motley Cardinals at the Target Center on Saturday. The Hornets defeated the Cardinals by a score of 69-47. 

The sixth ranked Henning Hornets got their season off to a successful start last week as they defeated Browerville-Eagle Valley on Thursday and Staples-Motley on Saturday at the Target Center. 

This week the Hornets will host Menahga on Thursday, as well as Rothsay on Friday.

Thursday

Tyson Misegades, Kale Misegades and Mason Hammer combined for 68 points as the sixth ranked Henning Hornets defeated Browerville-Eagle Valley by a score of 77-71 on Thursday night.

Photo by Dani Koenen
Lane Dilly goes up for 2 points during Thursday’s regular season opener against Browerville-Eagle Valley. The sixth ranked Hornets are 2-0 on the season after securing a pair of wins last week. 

“We are excited and fortunate to come away with a victory tonight against one of the best teams in Section 5A,” said head coach Randy Misegades. “Browerville-Eagle Valley came in and gave us everything we could handle.”

The Hornets led by a score of 32-30 at halftime, before outscoring the Tigers in the final 18 minutes by a score of 45-41. As a team, the Hornets shot 39 percent from the floor and hit eight 3-pointers. 

Tyson Misegades hit four 3-pointers to lead the Hornets with 28 points, while fellow senior Hammer scored 24 points after hitting three 3-pointers of his own. 

Freshman Kale Misegades finished with a double-double by scoring 16 points and dishing out 11 assists. He also led the team with eight rebounds. 

While the Hornets were able to control the tempo throughout the game, Browerville-Eagle Valley stayed in the game by hitting an astounding 15 3-pointers and shooting 60 percent from the field. Henning also did a good job of taking care of the ball as they turned it over just three times in the game. 

“Offensively, they were ridiculous, making 15 3-pointers and shooting 60 percent from the field. Our guys made enough plays on the offensive end to stem the tide and we did a great job of taking care of the ball. But, we have plenty to improve upon defensively,” said Misegades. 

Saturday

Henning made a return to the Target Center for the first time in three years when they faced Staples-Motley in a non-conference match up on Saturday. The Hornets used a strong first half to come away with a 69-47 win over the Cardinals.

“We had a great team experience at Target Center.  We came away with a nice victory over an athletic Staples-Motley team in the afternoon and finished the day watching the Wolves games as a group on Saturday night,” said head coach Randy Misegades, 

The Hornets took a 38-19 lead at halftime behind a strong shooting day from the field. Henning shot 45 percent from the field and hit five 3-pointers in the win. 

“Our game didn’t have a lot of flow as it was extremely physical and neither team could get into a rhythm offensively,” said Misegades. “We stretched the lead to a nice margin before half, but then the Cardinals made a spurt to close the gap midway through the second half. After settling down, we handled our business to come away with a win.” 

Mason Hammer led the way offensively with 29 points off of 11-17 shooting, while Tyson Misegades hit 14 points, while dishing out six assists. Kale Misegades finished with 13 points, while Carter Dilly scored 5 points, Mason Umland scored 4 points, Lane Dilly scored 2 points and Dawson Misegades scored 2 points.

Misegades said the team appreciated the opportunity to play at the Target Center, while also taking in a Minnesota Timberwolves game later that night. 

“We want to thank the Timberwolves and Matt Bare for hosting us and also thank Staples-Motley for making the trip and allowing the kids to experience something so exciting,” said Misegades.