Physical game played by alumni to culminate in a winner

The Classes of 2007-2010 walked away with the Lake Holcombe School Alumni Tournament championship Feb. 12, defeating the 2021-2022 team. Making up the winning team, left to right, in front, are Kent Velie, Aaron Johnson and Kyle Schneider. In back, are Mike Johnson, Dane Luethi, Michael Mudgett and Brandon Crank. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

It was a faceoff of epic proportions Feb. 12, including a brother against brother showdown, at the 40th annual Lake Holcombe Alumni Basketball Tournament. It all came down to the final game with the Purple Team (Classes of 2007-2010) and the White Team (Classes of 2021-2022).

White got on the board first in the opening quarter, with a quick three-pointer from Brendan Anders. Not to be outdone, Purple’s Michael Mudgett tried for a three of his own, but was unsuccessful. It was apparent early on that it was going to be a battle for threepointers, as Anders tried another and missed, followed by Kaden Crank, who knocked one down for White.

On the other end, Kyle Schneider tried a three for Purple, but it was no good. On the other end of the court, a layup by Nate Jones made the Whites’ score 8-0.

A jump shot by Schneider narrowed the gap, however, and a minute later, a floater by him cut the lead by White to three. Dane Luethi then rebounded for a putback for Purple, to bring them within a point.

White wasn’t going to let the game go that easy, with a cut in the lane from Brock Flater for a shot off the backboard, to bring the lead to 10-7. Another quick layup by Jones and White was up by five, but a long three on the other end by Purple’s Brandon Crank, wiped out the lead.

B. Crank hit yet another three-pointer to give Purple a one-point lead. Mudgett got in on the long-range action as time ran out, giving Purple a 16-12 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

To begin the second quarter, B. Crank drove all the way to the basket. His teammate Aaron Johnson tried for a two-point shot, with no luck, while at the other end, White’s Will Kliegle tried for a three of his own. Back on Purple’s end, Schneider got the ball to B. Crank, for a short jumper to extend the lead to eight.

White tried to make a comeback with a three from Jones, but settled for the putback from Flater.

Disaster struck on the Purple end, when Mike Johnson was fighting for a loose ball and suffered a knee injury, sending him out for the rest of the game.

As play resumed, Flater took a three on the White end, but missed; they recovered the ball and got it to Jones, who missed a shot under the basket. Several minutes then went by, with no score from either team, but after a break, White made a basket out of a timeout.

Kliegle was then fouled on a drive to the basket, making one of two free throws, to make the score 20-18 in favor of Purple. B. Crank nailed a three just before the break, while K. Crank drove to the basket, to put the score at halftime at 23-20, Purple.

White had the ball to begin the third quarter, which they used to tie up the game on a three-pointer from Flater. Mudgett answered on his end with a shot from beyond the arc. A big rebound by Purple’s Kent Velie and a kickout to B. Crank, and the Purple were up,

Juli Maciosek was presented with the Lloyd McEathron Fan Appreciation Award Feb. 12, at the annual Lake Holcombe School Alumni Basketball Tournament. The award is given each year, to those who support the school’s youth athletics. Brandon Crank, in charge of the award, said Maciosek is always running the clocks and keeping the scorebooks at games, and that it hasn’t gone unnoticed – not that that is why Maciosek does it. “I do it because it needs to be done,” she said, adding she is deeply touched by the award.

29-23.

B. Crank drained a shot from almost half court to extend the lead to nine, causing White to take a timeout. A pair of free throws by Kliegle narrowed the gap a bit, but another three by Mudgett brought Purple’s lead back up. Luethi then drew a foul under the basket, making both his shots from the charity stripe, to give Purple a 10-point lead.

K. Crank cut that down, with a quick three at his end. Both teams then hit a scoring drought, until 30 seconds left in the third period, when a three by K. Crank made it only a seven-point lead as the clock ran out in the third.

Schneider hit a jumper to open the fourth and final quarter, then quickly nailed a three a few seconds later. After getting mauled at the other end, Velie tried for a three with no luck, but it didn’t matter, as Whites’ shots wouldn’t go down for them.

Meanwhile, Mudgett connected on another three-pointer. Flater took the wind of Purples’ sails, with a layup, followed by a fastbreak layup by Anders. On the other end, Schneider tore through the defense, to send in a floater.

A three by K. Crank narrowed the gap, but Purple was still up by double digits and the clock continued to tick away. Mudgett thought he put the nail in the coffin with what was almost a dunking layup, but Kliegle hit a jumper from the free throw line, to keep it at 10 points.

Purple then began playing keep away, while with 32 seconds left, White started fouling. With no time to catch up, the game and bragging rights went to Purple, 5447.

B. Crank led for Purple, with 19 points – 15 of those from three-pointers, followed by Mudgett, with four long-range shots, ending with 15 points. Schneider followed that up with 13 and Luethi had 7 points.

As for White, K. Crank also knocked down five shots from beyond the arc, finishing with 19 points on the day. Flater came up with 9 points, with Anders right behind, with 8, while Kleigle added 7 and Jones chipped in with 4 points.

It was a good thing the game ended when it did, as Purple was starting to feel the lack of depth on their bench.

“Everything’s done working,” said Velie.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="366"] Taking part in a round-robin competition, Lake Holcombe School alumni played volleyball Feb. 11, to see who had the right stuff to pull off a win. Competing in this year’s tournament, left to right, in front, are Jonalee (Franz) Borrud, 2007; Sam (Schneider) Guthman, 2006; Leah Allard, 2021; Grace Hurst, 2018; and Taylor Hartzell, 2018. In the middle, are Stephanie Brantner, 2018; Alyssa Mikkelson, 2020; Amanda Gudis; Rachel Omtvedt, 2018; and Karlee Andres, 2021. In back, are Mariah Litke, 2009; Michelle Litke, 2006; Nichole (Mataczynski) Brooks, 2008; Nicole (Wundrow) Stilley, 2005; and Alexis Burns, 2018. Photo by Ginna Young[/caption]   [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="366"] Falling short of the championship crown during the basketball part of the Lake Holcombe School Alumni Tournament Feb. 12, were the Classes of 2021-2022. Receiving runner-up honors, left to right, are Nate Jones, Brandon Nitek, Brock Flater, Kaden Crank, Brendan Anders and Will Kliegle. Photo by Ginna Young[/caption]   [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="179"] Juli Maciosek was presented with the Lloyd McEathron Fan Appreciation Award Feb. 12, at the annual Lake Holcombe School Alumni Basketball Tournament. The award is given each year, to those who support the school’s youth athletics. Brandon Crank, in charge of the award, said Maciosek is always running the clocks and keeping the scorebooks at games, and that it hasn’t gone unnoticed – not that that is why Maciosek does it. “I do it because it needs to be done,” she said, adding she is deeply touched by the award. Photo by Ginna Young[/caption]