Minden Defeats Gretna, 55-35

The Minden Whippets boys basketball team once again participated in the Heartland Hoops tournament held at the Heartland Event Center in Grand Island on Saturday.
The Class C-1 Whippets moved up a class when they faced the Class B Gretna Dragons in the 5:45 p.m. matchup.
Gretna was no match for the C-1 state-rated Whippets as Minden picked up a 20 point victory, 55-35. The win sends Minden into its final week of the regular season with a record of 17-1.
The Dawgs were led to the victory by a double-digit performance from its top two scorers – Carson Blum and Derek Kissinger. Blum scored 20 points on 8 of 19 from the field and 2 of 3 from the line also adding four assists and three steals. Kissinger was 7 of 14 shooting for 16 points while also pulling down eight rebounds.
Minden built and early lead over the Dragons and did not look back. The Whippets scored 12 points in the first period paced by Blum with eight points. Defensively, Minden held Gretna to only four points to build the eight point advantage.
In the second, Minden would widen its lead to double figures behind four points from Blum and three-pointers by RJ Watson and Kissinger. The Dawgs outscored Gretna 12-9 to go into halftime holding a 24-13 lead.
Minden would not be able to pull away easily from the Class B Dragons. The Whippets scored 16 more points in third but Gretna hung tough scoring 13. In the period, Minden was led by Kissinger with seven and Blum six as the Whippet entered the fourth and final period ahead 40-26.
In the final eight minutes, Minden slammed the door on the Dragons holding them to under double figures for the third time, allowing only nine points. The Dawgs closed out the contest with 15 points led by Kissinger with four and three each from Dan Kristensen and Isaac Carlson.

For more, read The Minden Courier