The Rebels who survived a scare from the night before take on conference rival Centennial with a number of college scouts and a nice crowd on hand for the late start.
The Rebels start their usual starting lineup when after about 4 minutes they make a line change, yep five substitutes for the entire starting five. The Rebel subs actually play better than the starters do as Hager scores and Reibling (pictured) knocks down two deep 3 pointers, timeout CP 18-16.
Brian Sarvela (15 points for the game) is singlehandedly keeping the Cougars in the game with a number of put backs and short shots. The Rebels team speed starts to become apparent as the get a couple of delay break out baskets as Zimmermann makes 1 of 2 free throws for a CP 25-22 lead. The Rebels run continues as Pella gets a break out dunk and Duberry is fouled as he scores attacking the basket, his missed free throw makes the score 29-22 lead with 2 minutes left and it looks like the Rebels are about to open this one up. The Cougars weather the storm as Pella scores to end the half 33-28 CP. Very clean 1st half as both teams only had 6 team fouls.
The 2nd half starts and Kuck gets lose for a long 2 and the score is 35-32 CP with 15 minutes left. The teams play pretty even over the next 7 minutes, CP 48–42 with eight minutes left when Centennial goes on a mini run 50-48 CP. The Rebels collect themselves, Reibling hits another 3 pointer and the Rebels extend their lead to 56-51with 2:40 left.
Centennial won’t go away as they pound away on the boards for 2nd and 3rd shots and closes the score to 58-56 with 1:15 left. Centennial who sat and watched the Rebels miss a number of free throws yesterday starts the fouling game. Duberry who played very limited minutes makes his 2 free throws and Davis closes the game going 4 for 4. Centennial makes a very long uncontested 3 pointer to end the game 67-65 CP.
In a championship game that Duberry gets the okay to play five minutes before the tap, Hager fills in and scores a career high 12 points, Reibling comes in and knocks down some 3’s, you have a five man substitution change out 4 minutes into the game, made free throws on intentional fouls at the end of the championship game and Pella’s continued tournament dominance, the Rebels have a performance to be proud of as they display their team speed, versatility and depth.
Davis, Zimmermann and Pella (pictured) were named to the all tournament team with Pella leaving with the well deserved tournament MVP trophy. Pella only scored 3 points in the tournament opener against St Anthony’s as that game was turned over to the subs in an 82-34 blowout. He put the Rebels on his back for game 2 in their OT victory over Washburn as he scored 22 points on a variety shots (2 of 3 from the arch). Pella led the Rebels again in the championship game with 15 points in which he had some Centennial run stopping baskets and a nice break out dunk before the half.
The Box:
Davis 9
Duberry 4
Hager 12
Pella 15
Reibling 14
Williamson 5
Zimmermann 8
Of Note:
- Davis plays great defense on Knuck (12 points)
- Duberry plays limited minutes
- Hager steps in for Duberry and scores a career high 12 points
- Reibling goes 4 for 6 from the arch for a career high 14 points
- The Rebels winning streak goes to 3