Frazee defeats Breckenridge to improve to 3-0

Photos by Chad Koenen
Nathan Longfors takes a shot in the lane during last week’s game against Breckenridge. Longfors finished the game with 15 points.

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

The Frazee Hornets improved to a perfect 3-0 and did something last week that they hadn’t accomplished in over two years—score 80 points in a game.

Drew Mekalson and Noah Mekalson trap a Breckenridge player in Hornet territory on Friday night.

The last time the Frazee Hornets scored at least 80 points was a 95-91 overtime win against Breckenridge on March 13, 2021. Fast forward to Friday night and the Hornets once again found themselves in the midst of a solid night from the floor as they defeated the Breckenridge Cowboys by a score of 80-59 to eclipse the 80 point mark once again. 

In the process of Friday’s win, the Hornets also improved to 3-0 and 1-0 in the HOL. Last season the Hornets didn’t pick up their third win of the season until game 10. 

This week Frazee will look to keep their momentum going as they travel to Hawley on Thursday for another conference match up.

Tuesday

Frazee overwhelmed Sebeka on the defensive end of the court in the Hornets regular season opener last week. The Hornets held the Trojans to just 18 points in the first half and 23.2 percent shooting from the field on their way to a 71-44 win on Tuesday night. 

Asher Blaine takes a shot in the lane during Friday’s HOL Conference win over Breckenridge.

“I thought we played well defensively in the first half,” said head coach Ryan Vigen. “We made them shoot it from where we wanted them to shoot. Holding them to 18 first half points was big.”

Frazee took a 41-18 lead at halftime and outscored the Trojans by a 30-26 advantage in the second half to come away with the 71-44 win. 

In addition to hitting nine 3-pointers, the Hornets were able to hold the Trojans at bay in the paint as Frazee finished with 25 second half points and 24 points in the paint. The Hornets also held a 62-25 advantage in rebounding. 

Vigen credited senior Alex Helmers with helping guide the Hornets offensively throughout the night. Helmers finished with 14 points, including a 5-7 night from beyond the 3-point line.

“Alex getting hot early took a lot of pressure off of us offensively,” said Vigen.

Adam Vigen led the way offensively with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Carter Sonnenberg also recorded a double-double with 14 points and a team-high 15 rebounds, while Asher Blaine also reached double figures with 10 points and 8 rebounds. 

Friday

Frazee opened its Heart O’ Lakes Conference season with a commanding 80-59 win over Breckenridge on Friday night. The Hornets shot 48.6 percent from the field and hit eight 3-pointers to come away with the important conference win.

The Hornets took an early lead in the first half and trailed just briefly minutes into the first half, before pulling away for good. Frazee led 40-24 at halftime, before outscoring the Cowboys 40-35 in the final 18 minutes of action.

For the second consecutive night, the Hornets were able to control the paint as they finished with 48 points in the paint, which were assisted by 19 offensive rebounds. The team out rebounded the Cowboys by a 43-27 advantage. 

Five Hornets reached double in the win with Adam Vigen filling the stat sheet with a team-high 16 points to go along with 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Asher Blaine recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Alex Helmers finished with 15 points and Nathan Longfors also finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds in the win. 

Frazee vs. Sebeka

December 5, 2023

POINTS: Asher Blaine 10, Adam Vigen 16, Cael Pausch 7, Drew Mekalson 4, Alex Helmers 14, Nathan Longfors 2, Carter Sonnenberg 14, Ayden Grossman 4

ASSISTS: Asher Blaine 3, Adam Vigen 3, Cael Pausch 1, Drew Mekalson 1, Alex Helmers 1, Nathan Longfors 3, Carter Sonnenberg 1, Noah Mekalson 1

REBOUNDS: Asher Blaine 8, Adam Vigen 12, Cael Pausch 5, Dawson Lyman 1, Drew Mekalson 4, Alex Helmers 2, Nathan Longfors 7, Carter Sonnneberg 15, Noah Mekalson 1, Ayden Grossman 5, Conner Erickson 1, Mason Mickelson 2

STEALS: Asher Blaine 1, Adam Vigen 1, Drew Mekalson 1, Nathan Longfors 1, Noah Mekalson 1, Conner Erickson 1

BLOCKS: Cael Pausch 1, Nathan Longfors 1, Carter Sonnenberg 1

Frazee vs. Breckenridge

December 8, 2023

POINTS: Asher Blaine 15, Adam Vigen 16, Drew Mekalson 6, Alex Helmers 15, Nathan Longfors 15, Carter Sonnenberg 12, Noah Mekalson 1

ASSISTS: Asher Blaine 3, Adam Vigen 7, Alex Helmers 2, Nathan Longfors 5, Carter Sonnenberg 3, Noah Mekalson 1

REBOUNDS: Asher Blaine 10, Adam Vigen 8, Drew Mekalson 2, Alex Helmers 2, Nathan Longfors 3, Carter Sonnenberg 13, Noah Mekalson 2

STEALS: Asher Blaine 2, Adam Vigen 2, Drew Mekalson 1, Alex Helmers 5, Nathan Longfors 2, Carter Sonnenberg 3

BLOCKS: Carter Sonnenberg 1