Tuesday night, KFIL brought you a boys basketball playoff game as the Mabel-Canton Cougars hosted the Houston Hurricanes. The score was tied at least 15 times before it was over, and Houston survived to take the 57-56 victory. The Hurricanes will move on to play Spring Grove Thursday.
In the early going, Mabel-Canton hit the first bucket, then we had the first tie of the ballgame after Wesley Johnson scored to make it 2-2. M-C got out to a 4-point lead a couple different times, but we were soon tied 8-8, 10-10, 12-12, before Wesley Johnson and Tyler Albrecht each hit a three-pointer, with a Mabel-Canton free throw in the middle. The largest lead in the first half was that 18-13 Houston advantage. The Cougars came back with a bucket and a couple of free throws to tie it up again, and we were going back and forth again. Before the first half was over, we had seen 10 ties and 8 lead changes-7 of those coming after the teams each scored their 22nd point. Houston took a 31-30 lead into halftime.
In the first half, turnovers were even, but Mabel-Canton had a definite rebounding advantage. I only counted one offensive rebound for Houston, and Mabel-Canton had 13 at the break. If there is any film of this game, KFIL would sure like to see some of the plays on both sides, as Drew Wyffels contorted his body and completed a three-point play after driving in the middle of the lane; and Houston's Wesley Johnson had his footing right to somehow find some space quite a few times in the lane.
To start the second half, we had a tie ballgame at 31-31 after an M-C free throw. Houston then went on a run to take the 39-33 lead - the largest lead of the game. The Cougars then went to the three. Ryan Kuhn came off the bench and cut the lead in half. Brenden Kerns tied it up 39-39. Then we had our back and forth and 3 more ties, Mabel-Canton took the lead back, then Houston went on a 7-0 run to take a 53-50 lead late. The Cougars started fouling, and a couple free throws were hit to make it 55-50. Both teams had some fouls in the second half, and after a free throw on each side, it was 56-51. Drew Wyffels made it a one-possession game after hitting the three to get it down to a 56-54 deficit!
The Hurricanes went one of two from the line, Wesley Johnson fouled Drew Wyffels with 10.5 seconds to go. Wyffels missed the free throw, the put-back was good by Blake Henry, and it was a one-point game! Mabel-Canton fouled Houston again. Free throws were no good on the other side, but the heave at the buzzer for M-C was no good as well, and Houston earned the 57-56 victory, and a meeting with Spring Grove Thursday night.
KFIL Player of the Game for the Mabel-Canton Cougars was Blake Henry. The sophomore scored a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds-a number of those boards on the offensive glass.
KFIL Player of the Game for the Houston Hurricanes was James Hongerholt. Hongerholt scored 12 of his 20 points in the second, including a big three-pointer in the win.
The Kingsley Mercantile Game Ball goes to Wesley Johnson. Johnson scored 20 points as well, with some physics-defying moves to the basket, and some great passes-7 assists for the senior as well-he also blocked a shot.
Stay tuned to our station and our website for more information on who we have coming up for playoff basketball on Thursday!