Hongerholt Vaults ‘Canes Past M-C

The season is just barely started, but SEC boys squads Mabel-Canton and Houston can now put one high-pressure game on their resumes.  The teams battled wire-to-wire in a game of interesting trends.  M-C started 7-1, as Drew Wyffels cross-courted the ‘Canes 1-3-1 trap to Blake Henry often early.  Houston replied with a 16-4 run to lead 17-11.  The six point leads were the largest for each squad. The game featured six ties and nine lead changes.  M-C hit five three’s total.  Three came in the final four minutes.  Two were by Wyffels.  The last put the Cougars ahead 51-50 (1:33).  Houston had three offensive rebounds the entire second half.  They all came on the ensuing sequence.  After two o-boards, Connor Van Gundy was fouled.  He made his first to tie the game 51-51, but missed the second.  Brady Happel snared the offensive rebound.  New ‘Cane coach Trent Vix called a timeout and the ball went to James Hongerholt.  The 6’2” junior slashed to the hoop and finger-rolled his 15th point of the half (0:38).  M-C subsequently got a very good look from four feet.  Logan Richardson’s shot spun out.  Hongerholt was fouled.  He missed two free throws, giving M-C another chance (0:04).  A Wyffels 40-foot prayer wasn’t answered.  Because off Hongerholt (22 pts, 10-15 FGs, 7-8 FGs in the second half), Houston vaulted past M-C 53-51.  Happel helped out (10 pts, 8 rebs, 5 stls), scoring all of his points after halftime.  Wyffels (15 pts, 3-6 three’s, 7 rebs, 8 assists, 3 stls) was M-C’s leader.  Henry (12 pts, 7 rebs) did all his damage in the first half.  Richardson added 11 (pts) and 6 (rebs).  Houston (naturally) employed a 1-3-1 zone.  Head coach Vix is an R-P product.  M-C was in foul trouble most of the game.  Houston improved on rebound and offensive rebound discrepancies from half to half.