The Kimball boys’ basketball team hosted the Eden Valley-Watkins Eagles last Tuesday night (Jan. 5) in the conference opener. The Cubs jumped to an early 12-3 lead behind Austin Ruehle’s seven quick points. The Eagles answered with a run of their own to take the lead back and went into halftime leading 20-19.
In the second half Kimball regained the lead behind Dillon Menson’s post play and Neil Helgeson’s perimeter shooting. The Cubs stretched the lead to eleven before the Eagles made a late rally in the final minutes of the game. Kimball closed out the game with a 48-44 victory.
Neil Helgeson led the Cubs’ scoring attack with 19 points while Dillon Menson chipped in with eleven. Austin Ruehle added nine. Helgeson grabbed seven rebounds, with Dillon Menson and Jared Mackereth getting six each. Helgeson also dished out six of the Cubs’ 13 assists. Kimball shot 54 percent (19/35) from the field.
Coach Klein noted, “Pat Libbesmeier’s defense and the team defense as a whole, was the key to our success tonight.”
The Cubs’ record now stands at 3-3 overall and 1-0 in the Central Minnesota Conference. Kimball travels to Holdingford Friday night (Jan. 8) and then hosts St. John’s Prep Monday (Jan. 11).
Cubs defeat Huskers in overtime
The Kimball boys’ basketball team traveled to Holdingford last Friday night (Jan. 8.) to take on the Huskers. The Cubs jumped out to an early lead in a slow first half. Only 27 points were put on the board with Kimball leading 16-11 at halftime.
Both teams battled back and forth in the second half. Holdingford tied the score at 38 with just over a minute to play. The Cubs called time-out to set up a last second shot, but the Husker’s defense held on to force overtime. Dillon Menson opened the scoring in overtime to give the Cubs the lead. Holdingford answered with a basket and again Kimball had the ball for one last shot. With 3.2 seconds remaining Menson scored the go- ahead basket to give the Cubs the win 42-40.
Dillon Menson and Neil Helgeson led the team in scoring with 13 and 12 points respectively. Pat Libbesmeier played excellent defense, once again, and contributed six steals. Libbesmeier and Austin Ruehle handed out five and four assists. Menson led the rebounding effort with eight. The Cubs’ record now stands at 4-3 overall and 2-0 in the conference. This week the Cubs host St. John’s Prep Monday, Jan. 11, and Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Thursday, Jan. 14.