The MATC Stormers men’s basketball team, came into their first game of the season on blazing saddles against the Sauk Valley Community Skyhawks. They jumped out to a double digit lead by the five minute mark. Unfortunately, that same passion and intensity that gave them the early lead, also generated early foul trouble, forcing the Stormers to slow their game down. They had to settle for three point jump shots, a style of play that is not best suited to their abilities, shooting a dismal 10% from beyond the arc. The Stormers went into the half with a 28-21 lead. Evan Runkel from Strum WI, shot 75% from the field with 6 points, 5 rebound and 2 blocks.  Karson Arrenholz was the main reason the Skyhawks were able to keep up in the first half as he put up nearly half their 21 points.

        Assistant Coach Travis Mrozek vocalized what the team needed to do coming into the second half, “We need to get back to playing our game! We need to attack the hoop, not settle for threes, and play with the same energy that we started the game with.”  That is exactly what they did! The second half was filled with a mirage of dunks by Damon Simpson Jr. who scored 11 points in the second half. Athletic and creative layups from Kyan Pleasant, point guard, contributed another 13 points.  Most importantly they didn’t attempt any shots from three point land.  The Stormers were able to score an incredible 53 points in the second half which led to a monstrous 81-41 victory.  Head Coach Randy Casey mirrored the likes of Gregg Popovich and Bobby Knight after the game dismissing the incredible offensive display the Stormers put on, simply stating, “Our defensive intensity was incredible.”

        If coaches Casey and his staff can keep this young and ambitious team focused they could be headed to Rochester Minnesota in March for the National Tournament.