Huron boys earn win against Kernels

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MITCHELL — In the Kernels’ biggest rivalry game and on its home floor, the Mitchell boys’ basketball team didn’t rise to the occasion.
Mitchell battled defensively but couldn’t muster enough offense and Huron pulled away for a 47-40 Eastern South Dakota Conference victory in boys basketball action Tuesday at the Corn Palace.
Kernel coach Todd Neuendorf did not mince words when describing his team’s play after the game, especially in light of the week’s worth of practices Mitchell had before the contest.
“I thought tonight was one of our poorest games of the season,” he said. “Our execution was terrible and we didn’t do a good job of listening or playing together. I didn’t think we guarded very well. We prepared for Huron and we didn’t compete the way we should.”
Despite the struggles and 27 percent shooting in the first half, Mitchell (0-11, 0-7 ESD) trailed by just four at halftime. But Huron (3-7, 3-5 ESD) made its run in the third quarter, stretching the lead with its star Kobe Busch mostly on the bench.
After Mitchell trimmed the lead to 23-21 early in the fourth quarter, the Tigers put together an 11-3 run and lead by eight at quarter’s end. Teegan Evers was the main man for Huron, scoring 16 points in the win.

“I think the key was that they missed some shots and we were able to get out and run,” Huron coach Tim Buddenhagen said. “We hit some threes and got some things going. I think defensively, we played well and we got on the boards and limited them from getting second shots.”
The Kernels did not hit a 3-pointer until Carter Cavanaugh’s triple with 3:23 remaining brought the Tiger advantage down to nine points and Carter Jacobsen had a bucket to cut the deficit to 44-37 with 2:16 left. Evers answered with the decisive blow less than a minute later, a 3-pointer to bring the lead back to 10 and seal Huron’s third win of the season.
“It breeds a little confidence and it rewards us for doing the extra things in practice,” Buddenhagen said. “We had a secondary scorer tonight in Teegan Evers and that helps us out.”
Mitchell was led by Cavanaugh, who had 16 points. Vincent Michael had nine points, as Mitchell shot 30 percent in the contest and was 2-for-12 on 3-pointers and 14-for-20 on free throws.
“If you can’t make any shots, you can’t win any games,” Neuendorf said. “We shot 30 percent and it’s frustrating. Their best player was out for the entire third quarter. We didn’t take advantage and they stretched the lead.”
Mitchell will face Aberdeen Central on Friday at the Corn Palace, while Huron host Brandon Valley on Friday.

Huron    7 21 34 47
Mitchell     5 17 26 40
A complete boxscore was unavailable and will run in Thursday’s paper.

MATT GADE/MITCHELL DAILY REPUBLIC
Huron’s Isaac Carr (34) draws the foul going to the basket against Mitchell’s Baley Miller (23) during a game on Tuesday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell.