It was a tough start to the season for Houston boys basketball. Leading returning scorer James Hongerholt missed the first six games with a broken hand (football). Just as he was to return, starting PG Connor Van Gundy sprained his ankle. Not a full strength, Houston started 3-7. It took until January 14 for Trent Vix to have his full complement of players. Fully staffed, the ‘Canes had their best week of the season (3-0). On a Monday, they notched their biggest win hosting Blooming Prairie (9-2). Houston led 33-27 at halftime but it got dicey. Alex Van Gundy hit a couple momentum threes, Noah Kingsley a big floater (his first points of the game) late, and Hongerholt went 4 of 4 at the free throw line in the final two minutes, but the Blossoms hit a buzzer-beater to send the game to overtime tied at 64. In the final minute of OT, Caiden Danielson hit a huge three to put Houston up one. Van Gundy followed with a steal and lay-up for a three-point lead. Kingsley hit two free throws in a one-and-one situation. Houston prevailed 74-72! Hongerholt led the way (25 pts, 5-6 FTs, 8 rebs). Van Gundy (19 pts, 7 rebs, 5 asts, 6 stls) and Danielson (19 pts) also hit double digits. Mikkel Schutte added 5 (pts), 9 (rebs), 4 (asts), and 5 (blks). A night later, the ‘Canes avenged a loss to Mabel-Canton. Houston got started fast (up double digits). In the second half, M-C went ahead for a bit, but Houston prevailed 62-56. Four ‘Canes got to double digits; A-Van Gundy (19 pts, 8 rebs), Hongerholt (12 pts, 6-10 FTs), Kingsley (12 pts, 4-9 threes), and Schutte, who had another stat-stuffing game (10 pts, 17 rebs, 4 asts, 6 blks). Danielson added nine (3-4 threes). The senior trio of Dylan Loppnow (18 pts, 7-13 FGs, 14 rebs), Ryan Kuhn (career-high 15 pts, 3-6 threes, 6-11 FGs, 8 rebs), and Drew Wyffels (10 pts, 8 rebs, 9 asts, 4 stls) led M-C. Houston then won at W-K 58-47. A-Van Gundy (18 pts, 7-12 FGs, 3-4 threes), Hongerholt (11 pts, 5-6 FTs, 10 rebs), Danielson (10 pts), Schutte (8 pts, 6 rebs, 5 asts), and Kingsley (8 pts) again made it a team-effort. Having won three straight, Houston is now 2-5, 6-7.
Hurricanes At Full Strength
