Heritage takes control of the MCAA

Prologue
To SW Christian for their MCAA cross-division showdown with Heritage.  Both teams entering the night undefeated in MCAA play.  Youth night at SW Christian gives us the usual halftime entertainment.  PA guy counts down the ending as kid goes full court coast to coast.  The kid pulls off a perfect euro step and makes the layup to beat the countdown.  Biggest crowd roar of the night.  Dordt in the house looking on (likely looking at Jack Jenson).  A hot dog and 20 oz of water get added to the concessions counters.  The halftime entertainment also gives us today's tune as it was looped throughout the youth game.

Song of the Day
Vince Guaraldi - Linus and Lucy (Peanuts theme)

Number of Teams I've Seen: 115 (43 courts, 2 new, 2 TV games, 74 varsity games)

Beverage Ticker: 460 ounces (3460 calories) + 5.5 liters (670 calories)

• Pepsi: 204 ounces (2300 Calories) + 1.5 liters (630 Calories)
• Coke: 24 ounces (280 Calories)
• Dr Pepper: 48 ounces (600 Calories)
• Sprite: 24 ounces (280 Calories)
• Water: 3.5 Liters + 160 ounces (0 Calories)
• Gatorade: 500 ml (40 Calories)

Hot Dog Ticker: 8
Pizza Ticker: 9
Walking Taco Ticker: 7

Game Time:
Zach Johansen for 3 and a drive for 2 more for Heritage.  Trey Sandness with a pair of triples.  Jack Jenson coast to coast for 1 hoop and converts a turnover for another.  14-9 SW Christian at the 11:15 mark.  Heritage brings Tim Thurston in and he had on the invisible cloak for 2 layups with nobody around.  CJ Woda adds his 2nd 3 and Heritage is up 23-17 at the 6:22 mark (14-3 run).  A pair of 3s SW Christian with a pair of 3s to tie it at the 5:40 mark.  Then it all falls apart.  Johansen with a pair of 3s and a layup, Ben Allen for 3 and 2 Jack VanderTop hoops.  SW Christian turnovers fueling that run.  Its a 17-2 spurt for a 40-25 Heritage lead at the half.

The 2nd half isn't any better.  Woda with a 3 point play, a jumper and bombs away to extend the margin to 50-31.  SW Christian getting nothing to fall.  The lead hovers around 20 and Heritage ends up winning 65-49.

Post Game:
For SW Christian, Jack Jenson with 12 and Kyle Meinke with 11 points.  Jenson had an off night though.  I had him 5-18 from the floor.  Trey Sandness held to 8 and he was cold as well.  The Stars couldn't get out in transition and couldn't finish against the size in the lane.  Add in some defensive lapses and this is the type of night you end up with.  The Stars fall to 10-3 overall, 5-1 in the MCAA.  They play at South division co-leader New Life on Saturday afternoon.

Heritage improves to 10-4 overall and 7-0 in the MCAA.  They've now won 4 straight in the new year.  That includes back to back wins vs the south division leaders.  CJ Woda leads the way with 20 points and 12 rebounds on my sheet.  Great night from fellow junior Zach Johansen as well as he also had 20.  3 triples for both players.  Forward Jack VanderTop 8 points but his defensive presence was major in discouraging SW Christian from attacking the rim. The Eagles continue a 4 game road swing at Trinity and Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity next week.