The MMCRU boys basketball team needed a late Kamden Bork three to win their fourth game in a row defeating Gehlen Catholic on Friday night 57-55.
The Royals and Jays played a back-and-forth game with each side going on long scoring runs at times throughout the game. The Royals finished the game on an 8-0 run to secure the win. MMCRU head coach Cam Kuchel says he was proud of his guys for always having an answer.
MMCRU has always continued to build and grow the standard of the program, and it resulted in a huge home win. Coach Kuchel says it was nice to see the program’s growth on display in a big moment.
Gehlen Catholic was in the same boat as the Royals having to weather long scoring runs both for them and against them. Gehlen Catholic head coach Ryan Wiltgen says that his guys never backed down from the challenge that presented.
That physicality the Jays weathered came from a defensive intensity that MMCRU had at another level. Kamden Bork says the guys trust each other to be there and make a play for the betterment of the team.
The Royals had their opportunity to win it with seven seconds left down one point. Bork set up for the inbound and got the ball back to put up and hit the game-winning three. Bork said the ball was initially supposed to go inside, but he ended up with a better look that he had to make.
Bork was a bench player, but he found himself on the court in the game’s biggest moment. Coach Kuchel says that is a huge confidence builder and will allow so many guys to make plays later this season.
MMCRU improved to 7-1 with the win which was their fourth in a row. The Royals have a monster stretch of games against the likes of Remsen St. Mary’s, Western Christian, OABCIG, and others with most being on the road. Coach Kuchel says this stretch will really test his guys.
Gehlen Catholic dropped to 6-4 and had their three-game winning streak snapped. Coach Wiltgen says he is looking for his guys to handle pressure better in games like this.
The Jays are back in action at West Sioux on Tuesday. MMCRU is at Trinity Christian on Tuesday.
