Henning to host Sebeka on Jan. 7

Photo by Tom Hintgen
Henning players Logan Kostelecky ((15) and Teigan Bjerke (4) defend against Morris player Riley Asmus (10) in first half action Dec. 27 during holiday tournament in Fergus Falls.

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

The Henning Hornets improved to 8-1 on the season with a pair of non-conference games from December 20-21 and went 1-1 at the Fergus Falls tournament last weekend.

On December 20 the Hornets defeated Parkers Prairie by a score of 60-39, before heading to Concordia College on Saturday, Dec. 21 to defeat the Central Cass Squirrels by a score of 70-59. Last week the Hornets traveled to Fergus Falls to participate in the Fergus Falls Tournament. 

The third ranked Hornets opened the Fergus Falls Tournament with a 69-63 loss to Morris/Chokio-Alberta, before defeating Worthington 57-43 in the third place game. 

Following the holiday tournament in Fergus Falls the Hornets will get a bit of a break from action as they will return to the court on Tuesday, Jan. 7 when they host Sebeka in a Park Region Conference match up.

Friday, Dec. 20

Teigan Bjerke takes a shot over a pair of Norman County East/Ulen-Hitterdal defenders during a recent game in Henning. The Henning seniors scored 16 points in Henning’s December 21 win over Central Cass at Concordia College.

The Henning defense showed up in a big way on Friday, Dec. 20 as the Hornets held Parkers Prairie to just 39 total points and forced 21 Panthers turnovers in a 60-39 win. 

“Nice defensive effort from our guys tonight. We were solid on that end of the floor. Offensively, we struggled to get into any sort of rhythm,” said head coach Randy Misegades.

The Hornets led 34-17 at halftime and went on to outscore the Panthers 26-22 in the final 18 minutes of action. As a team Henning shot 42 percent from the field and went 8-26 from behind the 3-point line. The team moved the ball around well throughout the game as they had 18 assists on 24 made baskets from the field.

Henning was led offensively by Teigan Bjerke who had 21 points on just 9-18 shooting. He also finished with four assists and five rebounds.

Ryan Despard defends a Titans ball handler near the 3-point line during a recent game in Henning.

Ryan Despard also reached double figures as he scored 10 points, while Logan Kostelecky scored nine points and Noah Umland scored six points. 

Todd Bjerke scored five points, Dawson Misegades scored four points, Eli Reinbold scored three points and Andrew Suchy rounded out the scoring with two points. 

POINTS: Bjerke 21, Despard 10, Reinbold 3, Umland 6, Kostelecky 9, Bjerke 5, Suchy 2, Misegades 4

ASSISTS: Thorson 1, Bjerke 4, Despard 1, Reinbold 5, Umland 1, Kostelecky 2, Bjerke 2, Misegades 2

REBOUNDS: Thorson 1, Bushman 1, Bjerke 5, Reinbold 4, Umland 2, Kostelecky 6, Bjerke 3, Wiederich 1, Misegades 6

STEALS: Bushman 1, Bjerke 2, Despard 2, Reinbold 3, Umland 1, Kostelecky 3

Saturday, Dec. 21

Henning overcame some early foul trouble and an uncharacteristically high 23 team turnovers to pull out a 70-59 win over Central Cass at the Concordia College Invite on Saturday, Dec. 21.

The Hornets went back and forth with the Squirrels for much of the first half, before holding on to a 29-25 lead at the break. They were able to pull away a bit in the second half, despite having two starters in foul trouble for much of the game. 

“We overcame a lot of turnovers and foul trouble to pull out a victory. Central Cass is a young, talented team. We stuck together and found a way to win. It is always fun to play at the Cobber Fieldhouse,” said head coach Randy Misegades.

As a team the Hornets shot a blistering 56 percent from the field, including 19-29 from inside the 3-point line. They also went 8-12 from the free throw line to keep the Squirrels at bay down the stretch. 

Logan Kostelecky had a big game for the Hornets as the senior recorded a double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds. He went 4-8 from behind the 3-point line and also had three assists in the win.

Teigan Bjerke also reached double figures as he scored 16 points to go along with nine rebounds and six assists. Eli Reinbold scored 10 points, while Noah Umland and Dawson Misegades each scored eight points, Ryan Despard scored three and Todd Bjerke rounded out the scoring with two points off the bench.

POINTS: Bjerke 16, Despard 3, Reinbold 10, Umland 8, Kostelekcy 23, Bjerke 2, Misegades 8

ASSISTS: Bjerke 6, Reinbold 4, Umland 2, Kostelecky 3, Bjerke 3, Misegades 1

REBOUNDS: Bushman 1, Bjerke 9, Despard 1, Reinbold 5, Umland 3, Kostelecky 12, Bjerke 1, Misegades 3

STEALS: Thorson 1, Despard 3, Umland 1, Kostelecky 3, Bjerke 1, Misegades 2