Callie Thompson rips the ball away from a pair of Sebeka defenders during last week’s game against the Trojans. The Hornets fell to the Trojans, but were within just a few points late in the second half.

The Henning girls basketball team had another busy week with three more games.  While all three of these games ended up being fairly close, and the Hornets were hoping to come out on top and get a couple of victories, but head coach Mike Hepola said overall he was very happy with the way the girls are competing and this young group is continuing to learn each and every game. 

Addison Bode continued her solid freshman season last week in Henning’s three losses.

The Hornets dropped all three games, however each of them were single-digit losses in which Hepola said the team showed good fight, but weren’t able to quite get over the hump.  

Monday, Jan. 27 at Pillager 51-42 loss

On Monday Henning traveled to Pillager for a conference game. The Hornets played a tight game against them the first time and they knew going into it the team had to try and slow down their really good player Alivia Brown. Unfortunately, she had a great night as she’s done versus a lot of teams and ended up with 32 points including going a perfect 7-7 from the free throw line. Henning just couldn’t get over the hump before losing by the final of 51-42.

Individually the Hornets were led by freshmen Alivia Emter and Addison Bode with 10 and nine points respectively.  They were followed by sophomore Callie Thompson with eight points and senior Lila Thorson with seven points. Rounding out the scoring were eighth grader Stella Iliff with four points, freshman Abbigale Godding with three points and senior Tiffany Weber with one point.  

Freshman Alivia Emter scored 16 points and finished with four steals in Henning’s 55-49 loss to Sebeka on Friday night.

Thorson led the team with eight rebounds and three assists. She was joined on the assist lead by Iliff with three assists, while Thompson led the team with three steals.  

Individual stats

Callie Thompson 8 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 3 steals

Alivia Emter 10 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists

Brynn Reinbold 1 rebound

Monica Hansen 1 rebound 

Tiffany Weber 1 point, 1 rebound

Addison Bode 9 points, 5 rebounds

Bella Olson 1 rebound

Eighth grader Stella Iliff drives past a Sebeka defender on Friday night. She finished with 13 points in Henning’s tough Park Region Conference loss to the Trojans. 

Abbigale Godding 3 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal

Lila Thorson 7 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists

Stella Iliff 4 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals

Tuesday, Jan. 28 vs. 

Long Prairie-Grey 

Eagle 52-44 loss

On Tuesday night the Hornets hosted Long Prairie in a non-conference game. They are a team with a couple of big post players so head coach Mike Hepola said the team knew they would have to try and speed them up and make them play Henning’s style of game. Unfortunately, the Hornets had a slow start in both halves to fall behind, but the girls really fought back hard and gave themselves a chance down the stretch, despite not shooting well as a team. However, the Hornets ultimately lost by eight points.  

Offensively the Hornets were led by Alivia Emter again with 11 points. Stella Iliff had eight points while Callie Thompson, Addison Bode, Abbigale Godding and Lila Thorson all had six points each to round out the scoring.  

Henning shot a great 12-14 from the free throw line, but struggled from the field shooting only 23 percent. Bode had a great game on the boards finishing with 10 rebounds and she also led the team with three assists and four steals.

Individual stats

Callie Thompson 6 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals

Alivia Emter 11 points, 1 rebound

Brynn Reinbold 2 rebounds

Monica Hansen 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal

Tiffany Weber 1 rebound

Addison Bode 6 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals

Bella Olson 1 rebound, 1 assist

Abbigale Godding, 6 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist

Lila Thorson 6 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist. 3 steals

Stella Iliff 9 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal

Friday, Jan. 31 vs. 

Sebeka 55-49 loss

On Friday night we hosted Sebeka in a conference game.  Earlier this season the Hornets lost to Sebeka 73-44, but despite it being the third game of the week the girls showed such great fight in the game. The Hornets did not shoot great on two-point attempts and only 5-15 on free throws, but they gave themselves a chance down the stretch pulling within two points in the final minute, before ultimately losing by the final score of 55-49 after missing a couple shots and having to foul.  

Alivia Emter led the team in scoring again with 16 points and she was joined in double-figures by Stella Iliff with 13 points.  Callie Thompson and Addison Bode each chipped in with seven points and Lila Thorson three points, Monica Hansen two points and Abbigale Godding one point rounded out the scoring.  

Bode led the team with eight rebounds while Thorson grabbed seven points. Thorson led the team with five assists and Emter led with four steals.  

Individual stats

Callie Thompson 7 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals

Alivia Emter 16 points, 2 rebounds, 4 steals

Brynn Reinbold 1 rebound

Monica Hansen 2 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists

Tiffany Weber 2 rebounds

Addison Bode 7 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist

Abbigale Godding 1 point, 2 rebounds, 1 assist

Lila Thorson 3 points, 1 rebound, 5 assists, 1 steal

Stella Iliff 13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals

While the Hornets lost all three games, head coach Mike Hepola said he is proud of the fight the girls showed and they will continue to work hard down the stretch. It’s a young group that is starting show that improvement on both ends of the court.  

This coming week the Hornets have three more home games as they host Underwood on Monday, Wadena-Deer Creek on Thursday and then Laporte on Friday.