16th article at the Independent

PREP BASKETBALL: TMB boys, girls split doubleheader against Pipestone Area Chris Drummond cdrummond@marshallindependent. MARSHALL — The Tracy-Milroy-Balaton boys and girls basketball teams earned a doubleheader split against Pipestone Area on Saturday at the R/A Facility on the campus of Southwest Minnesota State University, with the boys team falling 66-58 and the girls team winning 61-51.

Boys In the boys game, it was a back and forth battle, with the Arrows taking a 10-point lead in the opening half over the Panthers, 36-26. However, the Panthers opened the second half on a 19-9 run, tying up the game at 45 midway through the frame. Despite the Panthers tying it up, the Arrows would never let TMB take the lead. The Panthers kept fighting till the end but timely free throws by Pipestone secured them the victory. TMB head coach Rick Haberman spoke about his team’s resiliency in the game. “I was happy how we fought back despite that we got behind early,” Haberman said. “I think resiliency is a good word, we showed some good resiliency and toughness.” TMB’s Tony Nelson had a monster game, leading his team with 24 points and 15 rebounds, which were also game highs. Haberman also elaborated on Nelson’s performance. “He (Nelson) did a great job especially in the second half,” Haberman said. “Overall, he did a really fine job for us.”

Arrows guard Merrick Heidebrink had a team-high 18 points. The Panthers out-rebounded the Arrows 32-23, but only shot 34 percent from the field, while Pipestone would shoot 59 percent from the field and 50 percent from three.

TMB (16-6) will face the Russell-Tyler-Ruthton Knights on the road on Tuesday evening at 7:15 p.m.

Pipestone Area 66, TMB 58

Girls

In the girls game, it was a tough physical battle, as both teams were scraping for every rebound they could get. TMB head coach Derek Ashbaugh reflected on his team’s performance and physical play.

“In the first half we needed to pick up the intensity, they flat out-worked harder than we did in the first half and didn’t particularly rebound well,” Ashbaugh said. “In the second half we got into transition, forced some turnovers and picked up our intensity. Wasn’t a pretty win because Pipestone out-played us for most of the game.”

The game was close down the stretch until Panthers forward Sheridan Ludeman hit two consecutive 3-pointers to create enough distance to secure the victory for the Panthers.

TMB stats were not available at press time.

The win gives the Panthers their 20th victory on the season and TMB is now in a first-place tie with Minneota in the Camden Conference South division. TMB (20-2) will face CMCS on the road today in the Camden Conference championship game at 7 p.m.

TMB 26 32 – 58

Pipestone Area 36 30 – 66

Scoring: TMB (Nelson 7-13, 10-14 24; Wendland 5-15, 1-3 13; Swenhaugen 3-11, 0-0 9; Smith 2-12, 0-0 5; M. Munson 2-3, 0-0 4; Turner 1-3, 0-0 3).

Rebounds: TMB 33 (Nelson 15; Wendland 7; Turner 4; Swenhaugen, Smith 3; M. Munson 1).

Assists: TMB 14 (Swenhaugen 4; M. Munson, Wendland 3; Turner 2; Smith, Ankrum 1).

Steals: TMB 11 (Wendland 5; Smith, Swenhaugen 2).