By Chad Koenen

Publisher

The Henning Hornets snapped a three game losing streak and improved to 3-4 overall and 2-2 in the Park Region Conference with a 65-60 win over the Sebeka Trojans as part of the annual Park Region Conference Showcase on Saturday.

The win was part of a busy stretch of five games in just eight days as Henning wraps up the 2025 portion of their schedule. In addition to their win over Sebeka, Henning fell to Pillager on Friday night by a score of 61-40. 

This week the Hornets will host Wadena-Deer Creek on Tuesday, before heading to Lake Park-Audubon on Thursday night for a non-conference game. 

On Friday the Hornets will take on Battle Lake in non-conference action in a game that will start at 4 p.m. in Henning. 

Friday

Henning came up just short in a 61-40 loss to Pillager at home on Friday night. The Hornets were down 25-16 at the halftime break and were able to cut into the margin throughout the second half, but the Huskies were able to control the outcome of the game down the stretch. 

Head coach Ryan Emter said despite the loss the Hornets continued to compete throughout the night and gained some valuable experience against a solid Park Region Conference team.

“We didn’t shoot the ball well tonight and turned it over too much. Our kids battled and kept looking for a spark all night, but we just couldn’t find it. Pillager is a much improved team this year with added talent, and they played a good game,” he said.

As a team the Hornets shot 27 percent from the floor, but 3-pointers proved to be the difference as Pillager went 8-31 from behind the 3-point line and Henning went 0-12 from behind the arc. Henning held a big advantage on the boards as they outrebounded Pillager by a 41-28 margin, but 28 turnovers were too much for the Hornets to overcome.

Callie Thompson led the way for the Hornets with 14 points on just 6-9 shooting, while Addison Bode scored nine points to go along with nine rebounds. Lily Grieger scored five points, Alivia Emter and Stella Iliff each scored four points and Bella Olson and Abbi Godding rounded out the scoring with two points apiece. 

POINTS: Callie Thompson 14, Alivia Emter 4, Lily Grieger 5, Addison Bode 9, Bella Olson 2, Godding Abbigale 2, Stella Iliff 4

ASSISTS: Callie Thompson 2, Alivia Emter 2, Addison Bode 4, Bella Olson 1

REBOUNDS: Callie Thompson 4, Alivia Emter 1, Lily Grieger 4, Addison Bode 11, Bella Olson 9, Godding Abbigale 4, Stella Iliff 4

STEALS: Alivia Emter 1, Lily Grieger 1, Addison Bode 1, Bella Olson 1, Stella Iliff 1

Saturday

The Hornets came away with a thrilling 65-60 win over the Sebeka Trojans on Saturday morning as part of the annual Park Region Conference Showcase. Even though the Hornets just shot 29 percent from the floor, they forced an eye popping 31 Trojan turnovers  that led to 21 points off of turnovers and pulled down 14 offensive rebounds that led to nine second chance points in the win.

“This game came down to the wire, and I was proud of our young team for grinding out the victory. There were 44 fouls called, and our lack of size is something we’ll continue to battle. We made two critical defensive stops while up one with about a minute left and then knocked down our free throws,” said head coach Ryan Emter. “The girls stuck together and made some key shots in the second half to put on a good show at the Park Region Conference Showcase.”

Henning led 28-25 at halftime and continued to lead throughout the second half. 

Four Hornets reached double figures in the win with Addison Bode leading the way with 14 points to go along with nine rebounds. Bella Olson had her best offensive game of the season with 12 points, Callie Thompson scored 11 points and had six assists, while Stella Iliff scored 10 points and had eight rebounds.

Also scoring for the Hornets was Alivia Emter, Lily Grieger and Abbi Godding who each scored six points in the win. 

POINTS: Callie Thompson 11, Alivia Emter 6, Lily Grieger 6, Addison Bode 14, Bella Olson 12, Godding Abbigale 6, Stella Iliff 10

ASSISTS: Callie Thompson 6, Alivia Emter 1, Stella Iliff 4

REBOUNDS: Lily Grieger 3, Addison Bode 9, Bella Olson 4, Godding Abbigale 3, Stella Iliff 8

STEALS: Callie Thompson 1, Alivia Emter 6, Lily Grieger 3, Addison Bode 2, Bella Olson 2, Stella Iliff 1