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.
Hongerholt Vaults ‘Canes Past M-C
