By Chad Koenen

Publisher

The Frazee Hornets fell to 2-11 overall and 1-8 in the Heart O’ Lakes Conference with a pair of tough conference losses last week. 

On Tuesday night the Hornets fell to Barnesville by a score of 69-51, before falling to Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton by a score of 64-50 on Saturday afternoon. Despite the losses, head coach Ryan Vigen said the Hornets are playing much better on the defensive end of the court as they have a goal of holding each team to just 60 points on offense. 

“We have set a defensive goal of 60 points which we are getting closer to achieving.  We have to get better at finishing in the paint,” he said.

This week the Hornets will travel to Hawley on Monday, Menahga on Tuesday and will host eighth ranked Breckenridge on Thursday night in another conference match up. On Monday, Feb. 2, the Hornets will once again hit the road as they travel to Staples-Motley as part of an extended road trip that includes five straight road games through Feb. 17. 

Tuesday

Frazee held a lead midway through the first half, but ultimately Barnesville was able to use a late run in the opening 18 minutes of action to pull away and lead 39-22 at the halftime break. The second half was more of the same as the Trojans outscored the Hornets just 30-29, but held on for a 69-51 win over the Hornets. 

Both teams shot well from the free throw line with the Hornets going 16-21 and the Trojans going 10-12, but Barnesville shot 46.4 percent from the floor and forced 21 Frazee turnovers that proved to be the difference in the game. On the bright side for the Hornets was their work on the offensive glass as they pulled down 13 offensive rebounds that led to four second chance points, 

The Hornets were led offensively by Ayden Grossman with 14 points and six rebounds, while Ben Reierson scored 12 points. Noah Mekalson scored eight points, Dawson Lyman scored seven, Adam Vigen scored six points and Conner Erickson rounded out the scoring with two points in the loss. 

Frazee vs. Barnesville

POINTS: Benjamin Reierson 12, Adam Vigen 6, Paul Sharp 2, Noah Mekalson 8, Ayden Grossman 14, Dawson Lyman 7, Conner Erickson 2

ASSISTS: Adam Vigen 2, Paul Sharp 1, Noah Mekalson 2, Ayden Grossman 4, Dawson Lyman 3

REBOUNDS: Benjamin Reierson 4, Adam Vigen 6, Noah Mekalson 6, Ayden Grossman 6, Dawson Lyman 1, Conner Erickson 5, Mason Mickelson 2, Mason Conger 1

STEALS: Benjamin Reierson 1, Noah Mekalson 3, Dawson Lyman 2

Saturday

In a game that was delayed due to unseasonably cold and inclement weather, the Frazee Hornets once again led early, but were unable to overcome a late charge by the Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Rebels on Saturday afternoon as they fell by a score of 64-50. 

The Rebels took a 36-23 lead at halftime as both teams struggled a bit from the floor. DGF went 38.5 percent from the floor, while the Hornets shot just 27.6 percent. The big difference in the game came in points in the paint where DGF held a 32-14 advantage, while Frazee held a 46-39 advantage in rebounding. The Hornets were able to pull down 17 offensive rebounds to give them second chance opportunities throughout the game.

The Hornets were led offensively by Dawson Lyman who scored 14 points on just 5-9 shooting, while Ayden Grossman scored 11 points and pulled down nine rebounds. 

Noah Mekalson scored nine points, Adam Vigen scored seven points to go along with a team-high 13 rebounds, Ben Reierson scored five points and Paul Sharp rounded out the scoring with four points. 

Frazee vs. DGF

POINTS: Benjamin Reierson 5, Adam Vigen 7, Paul Sharp 4, Noah Mekalson 9, Ayden Grossman 11, Dawson Lyman 14

ASSISTS: Benjamin Reierson 2, Adam Vigen 3, Paul Sharp 1, Noah Mekalson 3, Ayden Grossman 2, Dawson Lyman 2

REBOUNDS: Benjamin Reierson 8, Adam Vigen 13, Paul Sharp 3, Noah Mekalson 3, Ayden Grossman 9, Dawson Lyman 2, Conner Erickson 1, Mason Mickelson 2

STEALS: Benjamin Reierson 1, Adam Vigen 2, Paul Sharp 2, Noah Mekalson 1, Ayden Grossman 1, Dawson Lyman 3

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