By Chad Koenen

Publisher

The third ranked Henning Hornets improved to 4-0 overall and 3-0 in the Park Region Conference with a pair of wins last week.

On Tuesday night the Hornets came away with a commanding 84-42 win over the Menahga Braves, before edging out Pillager on Friday night by a narrow 60-52 margin. 

This week the Hornets will take a break from conference action as they will host two Section 6A teams in a pair of important section contests. On Tuesday night the Hornets will host also undefeated Norman County East/Ulen-Hitterdal, before hosting Parkers Prairie on Friday night. 

On Saturday the Hornets will travel to Concordia College in Moorhead for the Concordia College Invite  against Central Cass from North Dakota. Saturday’s game against Central Cass will tip off at 3 p.m. 

Tuesday

The Henning Hornets had its best offensive game of the season on Tuesday night as the home team blew past Menahga 84-42. Henning held a 53-22 lead at halftime thanks to shooting 53 percent from the field and knocking down 8-11 free throws in the game. 

“Fun night in front of a nice home crowd. We got everyone in the game and they all made a contribution in the victory. Our defensive intensity was better and we’re improving with our willingness to move the ball offensively. I felt like all our guys really played hard on both ends tonight,” said head coach Randy Misegades.

As a team the Hornets forced 19 Brave turnovers that lead to a number of fast break points throughout the contest. In fact, the Hornets went an impressive 29-43 from inside the free throw line and came away with 12 steals in the game.

Teigan Bjerke led the way offensively as the senior scored 28 points and pulled down seven rebounds on just 12-13 shooting. 

Fellow seniors Noah Umland went 8-11 from the field to finish with 16 points, while Logan Kostelecky registered a double-double with 15 points to go along with 13 rebounds. 

Dawson Misegades also reached double figures when he went 5-9 from the floor to finish with 10 points.

Henning vs. Menahga

POINTS: Wiederich 3, Bjerke 28, Reinbold 7, Umland 16, Kostelecky 15, Grabe 3, Suchy 2, Misegades 10

ASSISTS: Thorson 1, Bushman 2, Bjerke 4, Reinbold 4, Umland 2, Kostelecky 4, Bjerke 2, Suchy 1, Misegades 1

REBOUNDS: Thorson 1, Bushman 1, Bjerke 7, Despard 2, Reinbold 1, Umland 3, Kostelecky 13, Wiederich 1, Samuelson 1, Suchy 3, Misegades 1

STEALS: Wiederich 1, Bjerke 3, Reinbold 1, Umland 2, Kostelecky 3, Misegades 2

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Friday

Henning was able to grind out a tough 60-52 win against the Pillager Huskies on Friday night. The Hornets led by a score of 34-26 at halftime and was able to overcome a short bench and a bit of foul trouble throughout the game.

“Really tough win on the road tonight. Good teams find a way to win even when they have some adversity,” said head coach Randy Misegades. “After an injury to Ryan Despard on Wednesday and serious foul trouble all night, we battled through some rocky stretches and found a way to win. We’re proud of the grit and determination of our guys tonight.”

The Hornets were once again led by its senior class in the scoring column as Logan Kostelecky went 4-8 from behind the 3-point line to finish with a team-high 16 points, while Teigan Bjerke and Noah Umland each finished with 15 points. Eli Reinbold scored eight points and Dawson Misegades rounded out the scoring with six points.

Due to injuries and foul trouble, the Hornets went to its bench with sophomore Todd Bjerke making a contribution off the bench.

“Sophomore Todd Bjerke got his first taste of meaningful varsity action and gave us some quality minutes. And our seniors stuck together and found a way,” said Misegades.

Henning vs. Pillager

POINTS: Bjerke 15, Reinbold 8, Umland 15, Kostelecky 16, Misegades 6

ASSISTS: Bjerke 4, Reinbold 5, Umland 3, Kosteleky 1, Bjerke 1

REBOUNDS: Bjerke 7, Reinbold 7, Umland 5, Kostelecky 5, Bjerke 1, Misegades 1

STEALS: Bjerke 4, Umland 4

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