MCI earns split with Morden

After significant losses against Morden earlier in the year, the MCI varsity basketball teams hosted the Thunder on Tuesday night and played to a much different result.

In the girls' game, MCI's stifling defense got them an early lead. The Blues held their opponents to 11 points in the first half, good for a 9-point lead at halftime. However, MCI couldn't maintain this defensive pace, as they surrendered their lead midway through the fourth quarter when Morden pulled ahead 31-29. Morden guard Julie Blaich scored six points in the final few minutes, as she led her team to a 42-40 victory.

Rayzanna Rempel led the way for MCI with 10 points. Jada Dyck, Maria Dirk and Christy Dyck each added 8 points. Despite the loss, the game was a significant showing for the Blues, who lost 57-27 in their previous matchup with Morden.

"Assessing a game like this is difficult. On the one had we lost a game that we certainly should have won. At the same time, we also improved by almost 30 points and held them to 11 points in the first half," said coach Jeremy Siemens.

"Despite the loss, this game gives our girls a lot to be proud of," he added.

The MCI boys showed similar improvement in their game against Morden. The aggressive play of Kieran Enns in the post and the outside shooting of Joey Dyck gave the Blues an early lead they wouldn't relinquish. The Blues played strong from start to finish en route to a 61-40 victory. The victory marked a 53-point improvement on their previous matchup with Morden, when they lost 69-37.

Dyck led the Blues in scoring with 17 points on 5/9 shooting from 3-point range. Josh Bergen also played well for the Blues, adding 14 points.

"The biggest difference between our team today and our team earlier in the year is the confidence of our shooters. When our guards believe they can make those shots, they make them. This spreads the defense and gives our forwards the space to get involved," said coach Jeremy Siemens.

The Blues play twice next week. They travel to Sanford on Tuesday and host Morris on Thursday. Games start at 6PM.