By Staff
CANTON – Going into overtime the Moundridge boys were able to hold off Bennington on Thursday at the Canton/Galva Tournament to score a three-point, 71-68, victory to qualify for the tournament championship game on Friday.
Now 9-3 for the season and ranked number 10 in Class 2A, the Wildcats will play the winner of Wichita Classical and Ell-Saline game on Thursday, the score was not available at press time.
“We led most of the game only to have it tied up at the buzzer in regulation,” noted Wildcat head coach Vance Unrau. “We did find a way in overtime to get the win. Bennington has good size inside that can really create problems at both ends of the floor. We didn’t always play our best, but we did enough to give ourselves a chance and we took advantage. The game allowed us to bring practice ‘Time and Score’ situations into reality tonight. This is why you prepare for these times.”
Moundridge took an early five-point, 19-14 lead at the end of the first quarter and built it to an eight-point, 34-26 advantage at the halftime break. Still leading by seven at 46-39 after three quarters, Bennington had a big rally to tie the game at 60-60 at the end of regulation time. In the overtime, the Wildcats were able to outscore Bennington by three to gain the win and a trip to the tournament championship game.
The Wildcats won the game on the three point line as they made six three-pointers while Bennington only made one.
Logan Churchill led Moundridge with a big game, leading the Wildcats in scoring with 27 points, rebounding with six and blocked shots with a whopping eight. Barrett Moddelmog chipped in with 20 points while Landon Kaufman recorded a double-double by scoring 10 points and dishing out 13 assists.
Concluding his post-game reflections, coach Unrau continued, “I am proud of the guys for showing the poise and composure when it mattered the most. Now to go after the tournament title. This might be the most competitive Canton/Galva Tournament in recent memory. High quality teams playing in this environment helps prepare us for what lies ahead.”
MOUNDRIDGE WILDCATS vs. Bennington at Canton/Galva Invitational
SCORING: WILDCATS > 19-15-12-14-11 = 71; Bennington > 14-12-13-21-8 = 68.
TEAM STATS: WILDCATS > FGs – 23/43; 3-PTs – 6/21; FTs – 19/21; AST – 22; REBs – 16; TO – 13; STLs – 4; BLKs – 10; FLs – 21. Bennington > FGs – 24/40; 3-PTs – 1/7; FTs – 19/30; AST – 18; REBs – 21; TO – 5; STLs – 0; BLKs – 1; FLs – 17.
MOUNDRIDGE WILDCATS INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS: Scoring > Logan Churchill – 27; Barrett Moddelmog – 20; Landon Kaufman – 10; Henry Hecox – 9; Kepple Adolf – 3; Layton Schmidt – 2. 3-Pointers Made > Churchill – 3; Moddelmog – 2; Adolf – 1. Assists > Kaufman – 13; Churchill – 3; Moddelmog, Hecox, Schmidt – 2. Rebounds > Churchill – 6; Moddelmog – 5. Steals > Moddelmog, Kaufman, Hecox, Alec Huddle – 1. Blocked Shots > Churchill – 8.
(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at crossdovewriter@gmail.com)