Hornets fall to 3-16 on the season

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

The Frazee Hornets fell for the 10th time in their past 11 games amidst a difficult stretch of games in the Heart O’ Lakes Conference. 

Last week the Hornets fell to Staples-Motley by a score of 72-62, Park Rapids Area 57-54 and Perham by a score of 74-43 to fall to 3-16 overall and 1-13 in the Heart O’ Lakes Conference. 

This week the Hornets will travel to Wadena-Deer Creek on Tuesday, Pelican Rapids on Thursday and West Central Area on Friday.

Next week the Hornets will wrap up their regular season with three home games against Hawley on Feb. 17, Lake Park-Audubon on Feb. 19 and Park Christian on Feb. 20.

Monday

Frazee dropped a tough 72-62 loss to Staples-Motley on Monday night. The Hornets led for a good portion of the first half, but trailed 29-24 at the break. They fought back in the second half and took a lead midway through the final 18 minutes of action before falling to the host Cardinals. 

Head coach Ryan Vigen said he was proud of how the Hornets played in the tough HOL Conference game, especially since they were shorthanded throughout the night. 

“I was very proud of how we played today.  We were short handed, but had some young guys stepped up.  Paul Sharp brought a lot of energy for us tonight.  Freshman Jace Mekalson came off the bench to hit a couple big 3’s for us to get his first varsity points,” said Vigen.

As a team the Hornets shot nearly 44 percent from the field and knocked down nine 3-pointers, but went just 3-8 from the free  throw line and turned the ball over 18 times in the loss.

Adam Vigen led the way offensively with 17 points and 11 rebounds to finish with a double-double. Noah Mekalson chipped in with 13 points on just 6-10 shooting, Ayden Grossman scored 12 points, Ben Reierson scored 10 points and led the way with five assists, Jace Mekalson scored six points and Paul Sharp rounded out the scoring with four points in the loss.

Frazee vs. Staples-Motley

POINTS: Benjamin Reierson 10, Adam Vigen 17, Paul Sharp 4, Noah Mekalson 13, Jace Mekalson 6, Ayden Grossman 12

ASSISTS: Benjamin Reierson 5, Adam Vigen 2, Paul Sharp 3, Ayden Grossman 2

REBOUNDS: Benjamin Reierson 4, Adam Vigen 11, Paul Sharp 5, Noah Mekalson 3, Ayden Grossman 4, Maison Olson 1, Mason Conger 2

STEALS: Benjamin Reierson 1, Adam Vigen 2, Noah Mekalson 4, Ayden Grossman 1

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Tuesday

Frazee came out of the gates firing on Tuesday night and held a good lead throughout the first half, but Park Rapids caught a bit of fire of their own and took a narrow 30-27 lead at halftime. The two teams traded leads throughout the second half with the Panthers pulling away by hitting some free throws down the stretch to come away with a 57-54 win over the Hornets. 

“Just came up a little short tonight.  We were short handed again tonight but we played pretty well.  Adam and Noah have been playing well lately,” said head coach Ryan Vigen. “Freshman Mason Conger played some big minutes for us and he got his first varsity points, so that was exciting.”

The Hornets once again had a solid night from the field by knocking down just under 44 percent of their shots, while hitting 7-10 free throws. They also pulled down 28 rebounds as a team and had 15 assists on just 16 made shots from the field. Frazee also forced 19 Park Rapids turnovers on the defensive end of the court.

Adam Vigen led the way offensively with his second double-double of the week with 18 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Noah Mekalson scored 14 points to go along with nine rebounds, Ayden Grossman scored eight points, Ben Reierson scored seven points, Mason Conger scored four points and Paul Sharp rounded out the scoring with three points.

Frazee vs. Park Rapids

POINTS: Benjamin Reierson 7, Adam Vigen 18, Paul Sharp 3, Noah Mekalson 14, Ayden Grossman 8, Mason Conger 4

ASSISTS: Benjamin Reierson 2, Adam Vigen 4, Noah Mekalson 4, Jace Mekalson 2, Ayden Grossman 2, Mason Conger 1

REBOUNDS: Benjamin Reierson 2, Adam Vigen 10, Paul Sharp 3, Noah Mekalson 9, Ayden Grossman 1, Mason Conger 2

STEALS: Benjamin Reierson 4, Adam Vigen 3, Noah Mekalson 3, Ayden Grossman 2

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Friday

Perham was able to jump out to an early lead and never looked back as they defeated the Frazee Hornets for the second time this season on Friday night. The Yellowjackets led 36-20 at halftime and went on to defeat the Hornets by a score of 74-43.

Frazee shot just 25 percent from the floor and turned the ball over 17 times in the loss, but were able to knocked down 11-18 shots from the free throw line. Meanwhile, Perham shot over 44 percent from the floor and took advantage of a Hornet team missing two people due to injury and another team member coming back from an illness.

“We were a little thin with two guys out due to injury and another just getting back from an illness but on the bright side some young guys are getting experience,” said head coach Ryan Vigen. 

Adam Vigen led the way offensively for the Hornets with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Noah Mekalson also reached double figures with 12 points and eight rebounds. 

Ayden Grossman and Ben Reierson each scored five points, Jace Mekalson scored three and Paul Sharp rounded out the scoring with two points in the loss. 

Frazee vs. Perham

POINTS: Benjamin Reierson 5, Adam Vigen 16, Paul Sharp 2, Noah Mekalson 12, Jace Mekalson 3, Ayden Grossman 5

ASSISTS: Benjamin Reierson 1, Adam Vigen 2, Ayden Grossman 1

REBOUNDS: Benjamin Reierson 2, Adam Vigen 7, Paul Sharp 3, Noah Mekalson 8, Jace Mekalson 1, Ayden Grossman 6, Mason Mickelson 5, Mason Conger 1

STEALS: Adam Vigen 3, Noah Mekalson 2, Ayden Grossman 1

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