Hornets improve to 12-1 overall

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

The ninth ranked Henning Hornets picked up one of their biggest wins of the season on Saturday at the Breakdown Classic in Perham. The Hornets, who are ranked ninth in the state, upended fifth ranked Ada-Borup West by a score of 63-61 in overtime. Ada-Borup West came into the game with a perfect 10-0 record and was leading the sub section standings in Section 6A north.

After overcoming a 29-25 halftime deficit, the Hornets hit a shot late in the second half to force overtime. Henning was able to outscore the Cougars 9-7 in the extra frame of action to come away with their 12th win of the season as they improved to 12-2 overall. 

The Hornets also picked up a pair of conference wins last week to improve to 6-0 in the Park Region Conference. 

This week the Hornets will travel to Bertha-Hewitt on Thursday in their lone action of the week. 

Tuesday

Henning shot a blistering 62 percent from the field and went 33-46 from inside the 3-point line on their way to an 87-32 win over Verndale on Tuesday night. The Hornets led 50-10 at halftime and continued to pour it on in the second half as they came away with 19 steals that lead to easy baskets on the other end of the court. 

“Nice effort from our guys tonight,” said head coach Randy Misegades. “We were solid on the defensive end and were balanced again on offense.”

Five Hornets reached double figures in scoring with Kale Misegades leading the way with 22 points, while Teigan Bjerke scored 15 points, Noah Umland scored 13 points, Logan Kostelecky scored 12 points and Lane Dilly scored 10. 

Bjerke finished with a team-high 8 assists, while Dilly and Kostelecky finished with a team-high 7 rebounds apiece. 

POINTS: Teigan Bjerke 12, Kale Misegades 27, Noah Umland 10, Lane Dilly 6, Logan Kostelecky 6, Dawson Misegades 2

ASSISTS: Teigan Bjerke 5, Kale Misegades 4, Lane Dilly 3, Logan Kostelecky 1

REBOUNDS: Teigan Bjerke 5, Ryan Despard 1, Kale Misegades 3, Noah Umland 4, Lane Dilly 16, Logan Kostlecky 2, Dawson Misegades 1

STEALS: Kale Misegades 2, Noah Umland 2, Lane Dilly 4

Thursday

The stands were packed on Thursday night for Henning’s Park Region Conference contest against the New York Mills Eagles. Fortunately for the Hornets, they wasted little time in jumping out to a big lead and cruised to a 74-32 win over the Eagles. after leading by a score of 40-22 at halftime, the Henning defense went to work in the second half and held NY Mills to just 10 points in the final 18 minutes of action. 

As part of the night’s game, the elementary boys basketball players played at halftime of the JV and varsity basketball games on Thursday. Many of the youth basketball players also joined the introduction of the starting line ups by making a tunnel for the boys basketball team. 

“Fun night in front of a nice crowd. We did what we need to do to secure the win,” said head coach Randy Misegades. “It was great to see so many elementary kids wearing orange and black in attendance as we hosted our youth night and autograph session.”

The Hornets were led offensively by Kale Misegades who went 9-16 from the field to finish with 26 points and 6 assists, while Noah Umland scored 17 points. Teigan Bjerke scored 15 points and pulled down 5 rebounds in the win. 

As a team the Hornets shot 47 percent from the field and went 16-19 from the free throw line. 

POINTS: Teigan Bjerke 15, Ryan Despard 2, Kale Misegades 26, Noah Umland 17, Lane Dilly 2, Logan Kostelecky 6, Dawson Misegades 6

ASSISTS: Teigan Bjerke 4, Kale Misegades 6, Noah Umland 1, Lane Dilly 4, Logan Kostelecky 1

REBOUNDS: Dawson Bushman 1, Parker Samuelson 1, Teigan Bjerke 5, Ryan Despard 3, Kale Misegades 5, Noah Umland 1, Lane Dilly 6, Logan Kostelecky 6, Mason Samuelson 1, Andrew Suchy 2, Dawson Misegades 5

STEALS: Teigan Bjerke 1, Kale Misegades 3, Noah Umland 1, Lane Dilly 2, Logan Kostelecky 1

Saturday

In a potential sub section match up and a pair of teams ranked inside the top 10 in the state, the Henning Hornets overcame a 29-25 halftime deficit to come away with a 63-61 win over undefeated and fifth ranked Ada-Borup West on Saturday night at the Breakdown Classic in Perham.

The Hornets clawed back in the game late in the second half after trailing off and on for much of the game, before hitting a late basket to force overtime. In overtime, the Hornets were able to do just enough down the stretch to come away with an important sub section win in overtime.

The Hornets shot 43 percent from the field and went 13-17 from the free throw line, but turned the ball over a season high 24 times in the game. Despite the turnovers, head coach Randy Misegades said he was pleased with how well the Hornets did in grinding out a win over the Cougars. 

“This was the definition of a ‘grind it out’ game. There were many things we didn’t do well today, including turning the ball over way too much. But, we made up for that with determination and grit. And we made some big shots when we needed them most,” said Misegades. “Thanks to Perham High School and the Breakdown who always put on a great event.”

Henning was led offensively by Kale Misegades who scored 27 points, while Teigan Bjerke scored 12 points to go along with 5 assists and 5 rebounds. Noah Umland went 3-5 from the field to finish with 10 points, while Lane Dilly finished with 6 points and a team-high 16 rebounds.

POINTS: Teigan Bjerke 12, Kale Misegades 27, Noah Umland 10, Lane Dilly 6, Logan Kostelecky 6, Dawson Misegades 2

ASSISTS: Teigan Bjerke 5, Kale Misegades 4, Lane Dilly 3, Logan Kostelecky 1

REBOUNDS: Teigan Bjerke 5, Ryan Despard 1, Kale Misegades 3, Noah Umland 4, Lane Dilly 16, Logan Kostlecky 2, Dawson Misegades 1

STEALS: Kale Misegades 2, Noah Umland 2, Lane Dilly 4