Hornets are 5-6 in Park Region Conference

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

The Henning Hornets improved to 10-9 overall and 5-6 in the Park Region Conference with a pair of wins and a tough loss to Class AA Pillager last week.

After securing a 63-44 win over Long Prairie-Grey Eagle on Monday night, the Hornets traveled to Pillager on Tuesday and fell to the Huskies in a tight contest 50-44. Henning capped off the week with a big 67-59 win over the Sebeka Trojans to complete the two-game season sweep for their 10th win of the season. 

This week the Hornets traveled to Laporte on Monday night and Wadena-Deer Creek on Thursday night in a pair of road games. 

The Hornets will hit the road for three more games next week as they travel to New York Mills on Tuesday, Feb. 10, Frazee on Thursday, Feb. 12 and Verndale on Friday, Feb. 13. 

Monday

Henning jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as they held Long Prairie-Grey Eagle to under 26 percent shooting from the field and forced 24 Thunder turnovers last Monday night. The Hornets led 38-19 at halftime and went on to secure a 63-44 win on the road. 

As a team the Hornets outrebounded the Thunder by a 45-40 margin and knocked down eight 3-pointers to help keep LPGE at bay throughout the night. Henning also hit 17-22 shots from the free throw line and had 12 assists on 20 made shots. 

Head coach Ryan Emter said the Hornets did a nice job of jumping to out an early lead and controlling the tempo of the game.

“The girls did a nice job of getting out of the gates and taking control of the game early. Our defense was very solid against their size and we did a nice job in transition,” said Emter. 

Alivia Emter and Stella Iliff had solid nights from the floor as Emter went 6-11, including 3-5 from the 3-point line to finish with a team-high 19 points and nine rebounds. Iliff went 4-7 from the floor and hit 3-4 from behind the 3-point line to finish with 15 points 

“Both Alivia and Stella shot the ball well tonight and were very efficient. It helped to get some easy buckets off our press to get things going,” said Emter. 

Also chipping in for the Hornets was Addison Bode with nine points, Callie Thompson with eight points, and Lily Grieger and Bella Olson who rounded out the scoring with six points apiece.

Henning vs. Long Prairie-Grey Eagle

POINTS: Callie Thompson 8, Alivia Emter 19, Lily Grieger 6, Addison Bode 9, Bella Olson 6, Stella Iliff 15

ASSISTS: Callie Thompson 4, Alivia Emter 1, Addison Bode 1, Bella Olson 1, Abbigale Godding 1, Stella Iliff 4

REBOUNDS: Callie Thompson 7, Alivia Emter 9, Lily Grieger 5, Addison Bode 5, Bella Olson 6, Abbigale Godding 2, Stella Iliff 4

STEALS: Callie Thompson 2, Alivia Emter 2, Addison Bode 2, Bella Olson 4, Stella Iliff 1

Tuesday

Every once in a while a loss may feel like a win and that may have been the case for the Hornets on the road on Tuesday night. 

After falling to Pillager by a score of 61-40 earlier this year, Henning actually led for much of the first half and took the lead midway through the second half, before ultimately falling by a score of 50-44.

“After losing to Pillager by 21 the first time around, the girls got off to a much better start this time,” said head coach Ryan Emter. “We were right in the game at halftime, down just three. We took the lead in the second half, but couldn’t hold it due to some inconsistent shooting. Once Pillager regained the lead, they did a nice job of getting buckets when they needed them.”

  The Hornets played solid defense throughout the contest by forcing 28 Pillager turnovers, which included 15 steals and 25 points off of turnovers. The Hornets also finished with 35 rebounds and made 6-8 shots from the free throw line, all-while holding Pillager to just 35.6 percent from the floor. 

Unfortunately, Henning shot just over 28 percent from the floor and knocked down just 4-22 shots from behind the 3-point line that ultimately was too much to overcome in a low scoring game. 

Emter credited the play of sophomore post player Bella Olson who had her best game of the year by scoring 18 points on just 8-11 shooting, including a pair of 3-pointers.

“Bella Olson had her best game of the year tonight. She knocked down some threes and did a nice job finding space against their zone. We just weren’t able to get enough going around her,” said Emter. “It was a tough one because you could see flashes of what we’re capable of against a good team, but we just have to find a way to sustain it all game long.” 

Callie Thompson scored eight points, while Alivia Emter, Addison Bode and Stella Iliff rounded out the scoring with six points apiece. 

Henning vs. Pillager

POINTS: Callie Thompson 8, Alivia Emter 6, Addison Bode 6, Bella Olson 18, Stella Iliff 6

ASSISTS: Callie Thompson 3, Alivia Emter 4, Stella Iliff 2

REBOUNDS: Callie Thompson 4, Alivia Emter 5, Lily Grieger 3, Addison Bode 4, Bella Olson 4, Abbigale Godding 2, Stella Iliff 7

STEALS: Callie Thompson 4, Alivia Emter 5, Addison Bode 2, Bella Olson 3, Stella Illiff 1

Friday

Henning earned a hard-fought 67–59 Park Region Conference victory over Sebeka on Friday night in a physical Park Region Conference game played in front of a packed home gym.

The Hornets built early momentum and carried a 36–26 lead into halftime after an active first half on both ends of the floor. Henning was able to create offense in transition and through balanced scoring, but the flow of the game required constant adjustments as both teams worked through lineup changes throughout the night.

“It was again a wild game in a busy Henning gym,” said head coach Ryan Emter. “The girls were able to get out to an early lead off steals but quickly encountered foul trouble which slowed us down. Sebeka did a nice job of battling all night, but we were eventually able to close it out at the free-throw line. A great Park Region Conference battle.”

Sebeka responded after the break, scoring 33 second-half points and applying pressure with strong play inside and on the glass. The Trojans stayed within striking distance for much of the half, but Henning answered each run with timely baskets and enough defensive stops to maintain control late.

Stella Iliff led the Hornets with a game-high 18 points, consistently attacking the basket and getting to the free-throw line, where she converted 7-of-10 attempts. Alivia Emter added 14 points and provided steady pressure defensively, while Callie Thompson finished with 10 points. Addison Bode contributed nine points to go along with six assists, four steals, and five deflections, playing an active role on both ends of the floor.

Henning’s depth proved critical as the game progressed.

“I’m proud of the way we battled through adversity,” Emter said. “Forty-seven total fouls called in the game was tough to manage, but it’s just a next-girl-up mentality. Both Abbi Godding and Lily Grieger came off the bench and added important minutes and 15 total points for us. We don’t win the game without that.”

Godding finished with eight points, knocking down two three-pointers, while Grieger added seven points and four rebounds, giving the Hornets valuable production off the bench.

Sebeka was led by Kylah Watson with 18 points and Vyolette Lysne with 12. The Trojans battled throughout, using second-chance opportunities and interior scoring to keep the game competitive until the final minutes.

Henning will look to build off the conference win as it continues through the final stretch of the regular season.

Henning vs. Sebeka

POINTS: Callie Thompson 10, Alivia Emter 14, Lily Grieger 7, Addison Bode 9, Bella Olson 1, Abbigale Godding 8, Stella Iliff 18

ASSISTS: Callie Thompson 3, Alivia Emter 2, Addison Bode 4, Abbigale Godding 1, Stella Iliff 4

REBOUNDS: Callie Thompson 8, Lily Grieger 7, Addison Bode 9, Bella Olson 7, Abbigale Godding 1, Stella Iliff 5

STEALS: Callie Thompson 1, Alivia Emter 3, Addison Bode 3, Bella Olson 1, Abbigale Godding 1, Stella Iliff 3