Kernels, Munsen beat Custer 70-53

Mitchell came out firing in its first game at the second annual Mike Miller Classic.

The Kernels and head coach Gary Munsen took down Custer and coach Larry Luitjens 70-53 Thursday at the Corn Palace in what was the first matchup between the longtime coaches.

Mitchell (5-1) plays Memphis Central (Tenn.) at 5:30 p.m today for its second game and the Wildcats face DeLeSalle (Minn.) at 1 p.m. today.

The game ended right before this edition went to press.

Before the game started, Munsen and Luitjens were rolled out to center court in wheelchairs and received a standing ovation from a full house at the Corn Palace.

Senior forward Brady Maxwell had a game-high 27 points and six rebounds. Tucker Volesky knocked down 22 points and grabbed four rebounds. The Kernels never trailed during the game, making basket after basket and winning the rebounding battle 33-22.

Mitchell went on an 8-0 run with 8 minutes left in the first half to extend its lead to 34-24. Custer tried to chip away at the Kernels’ lead, but it couldn’t connect at the rim.

At one point, the Wildcats brought the score within six but that was as close as they got during the first half. The Kernels led going into halftime 35-26.

Although the Kernels were in foul trouble, drawing 10 during the second half, that didn’t stop them from increasing their lead to 17 in the final seconds of the game.

Volesky said he enjoyed playing Luitjens and the Wildcats, even though the score was so lopsided.

“There was a lot of buildup to the game with Luitjens and Munsen coaching, so we came out with a lot of energy,” Volesky said. “This win was a great accomplishment for us, and we definitely wanted to win this game for Munsen and for Mitchell.”

Everyone on the roster for Mitchell saw playing time. Volesky said the Kernels need to stay focused and come in ready to play against Memphis Central in today’s game.

“I think the main thing we need for (today) is to be confident,” Volesky said. “(Memphis Central) is very athletic, so we need to be ready for that.”

Custer was led in scoring by Chad Bryant, who had 21 points and six rebounds. Chase Glazier scored 17 points. The Wildcats went 18-of-39 from the field for 46 percent and shot 12-of-17 from the free-throw line.

At the end of the game, the Kernels presented Munsen with a vintage Kernels jersey with the number 39 on it to represent the number of years he’s been coaching at the high school. The total attendance for Thursday’s Mike Miller Classic games was 3,650.

MITCHELL 70, CUSTER 53

MITCHELL (5-1)

Maxwell Brady 13-19 1-2 27, Schmidt Jared 0-0 0-0 0, Morgan 0-0 0-0 0, Moen 0-0 0-0 0, Martin 0-3 0-0 0, Miller 4-7 0-1 8, Cavanaugh 3-7 0-2 7, Maxwell Brian 0-1 0-0 0, Brown 0-0 0-0 0, Volesky 8-16 2-5 22, Mastel 0-0 0-0 0, Schmidt Josh 0-0 0-0 0, Bennet 0-0 0-0 0Ischen 0-0 0-0 0, Henriksen 1-4 2-4 4.

CUSTER (4-2)

Hiltunen 0-0 0-0 0, Bryant 7-13, 4-6 21, Martinz 2-9 3-3 7, Myers 0-1 0-0 0, Thomsen 0-0 0-0 0, Glazier 6-11 3-6 17, Schryvers 1-2 2-2 4, Parsons 0-0 0-0 0, Burns 0-0 0-0 0, Hernandez 0-0 0-0 0, Thomsen 2-3 0-0 4.

Halftime—Mitchell 35-26. 3-point Goals—Mitchell 5-13 (Volesky 4-8), Custer 5-13 (Bryant 3-6). Rebounds—Mitchell 33 (Brady Maxwell 8), Custer 22 (Bryant, Glazier 6). Assists—Mitchell 4 ( Miller 2), Custer 1 (Martinez 1). Total Fouls—Mitchell 15, Custer 12.

Tags: mike miller classic, sports, updates, kernels, basketball