Hornets Win Home Opener

By Brent Huelsmann

Coming off of a second place finish at the Lebanon Thanksgiving Tournament, the Hornets opened up their home slate this past Friday with a conference matchup against Anna-Jonesboro on December 11. The Hornets then turned their attention to Waterloo Gibalut on December 12.

The Hornets kicked off their home schedule at Assembly Hall with a matchup against the Anna-Jonesboro Wildcats. The Hornets got off to a quick start as they outscored the Wildcats 14-5 in the first quarter. The Hornets were able to pull away before halftime as they outscored Anna-Jonesboro 19-10, to take a 33-15 lead at halftime. The Hornets put the game away for good in the second half, as they outscored the Wildcats in the third and fourth quarters to win the game 65-35.

The Hornets were led in the game by junior Ryan Brink with 19 points in the game. Senior Royce Newman scored 14 points in the win for the Hornets. Drew Barczewski joined Brink and Newman in double figures with 10 points in the game. Hayden Heggemeier scored seven points in the game for the Hornets followed by Ryan Kell and Brogan Kemp with six points apiece. Riley Edwards scored two points and Jaris Dalman scored one point to round out the scoring in the game for the Hornets.

The Hornets then took on Waterloo-Gibault without senior Royce Newman, as he was on a recruiting visit to the University of Nebraska. The Hornets kept the game close, but could not pull out the victory, as they lost 49-58. Without Newman, the Hornets had a slim lead after the first quarter, but with the Hornets leading 9-8, Gibault came back in the second to take a five point lead at halftime. Coming out of the break, the Hornets could not pull themselves any closer heading into the final quarter. Trailing by five going into the fourth, the Hornets could not come back, as Gibault pulled away late. The Hornets lost 49-58.

Leading the way for the Hornets in the game was Brink and Kemp with 11 points apiece in the game. Dalman scored nine points, while Bultman scored eight points for the Hornets. Heggenmeier scored six points in the loss for Nashville. Edwards chipped in four points to round out the scoring for Nashville. Leading the way for Gibault was three players in double figures, with Jacob Rueter scoring 16, Trevor Davis scoring 15, and Brian Deterding scored 13 points in the game.

The Hornets record stands at 3-2 on the season. The Hornets next game is on the road against Sparta on Friday December 18 at 7:45 p.m. The Hornets will then return to Assembly Hall Saturday, December 19 against Benton at 7:45 p.m.

Senior Royce Newman shoots over an Anna-Jonesboro defender in the Hornets home opening win on Friday December 11.

Junior Ryan Brink lays it in past a Wildcat defender in the Hornets 65-35 win in their conference opener against Anna-Jonesboro.