Prep Boys Basketball: Schwartz, Menahga hammer rival Sebeka, 68-44 (Schwartz Dunk Video)

Sebeka, Minn.—Tanner Schwartz lit up Park Region foe Sebeka for a double-double during Friday’s conference showdown before a capacity crowd at the Sebeka gymnasium.

The 6-foot-4 guard posted 28 points and 10 rebounds to help the Braves sweep the season series from the Trojans 68-44.

“Tanner had a phenomenal game for us tonight,” Menahga head coach Jeremy Nordick said. “He was on the mark both offensively and defensively. Sebeka just couldn’t stop him in the first half.”

Schwartz poured in 23 points during the first half—including a highlight dunk with less than two minutes left—as Menahga used a 21-6 run to build a 40-19 halftime lead. The junior nailed three treys during the Braves’ first half explosion and contributed defensively to hold the Trojans scoreless the last 3:36 of the frame.

With 1:51 left to go before the break, Schwartz snagged a loose ball in the Sebeka end of the court and raced untouched for a slam dunk that ignited the Brave faithful. Menahga closed out the first half by converting a perfect six of six free-throws from the charity stripe.

Sebeka deployed their full-court press at the start of the second half and reeled off eight straight points to trim the deficit to 40-27. Markus Tolkkinen ended the Braves’ dry spell at the 15:17 mark with a short jumper.

Tolkkinen would take over the Braves scoring duties in the second half with the Trojans focusing on slowing down Schwartz. The 5-foot-10 senior guard rattled off 13 points in the second half to finish the game with 18 points.

Sebeka couldn’t overcome a cold-shooting night as Menahga cemented the victory with a 11-3 run during the last six and a half minutes of the second half.

The Trojans lone senior Paul Funk was held to a season low four points during the loss.

“Paul is one of their best players and he almost beat us the last time we played them,” Nordick explained. “We pretty much took [Sebeka] out of the game when we held him to four points. I’m proud of out defensive effort tonight, we were able to control the tempo of the game when we took away their open looks and forced them to make some tough shots they didn’t want to take.”

Zach Sorenson led Sebeka with a team-high 12 points, with Justin Clark adding 10 before fouling out with with 5:30 left to play. Carlos Castro had seven points.

Brandon Junes added eight points for the Braves, who have won five straight since snapping an eight-game losing streak.

Menahga (7-8) will travel to Wadena-Deer Creek at 7:30 p.m. Thursday while Sebeka (3-14) traveled to New London-Spicer on Saturday.

Menahga at Sebeka on February 3
Braves 68, Trojans 44
Menahga 40 28—68
Sebeka 19 25—44
Menahga—Tanner Schwartz 28, Markus Tolkkinen 18, Austen Schwartz 2, Brandon Junes 8, Rylan Aho 4, Austin Rudquist 2, Levi Schwartz 2, Kyle Skoog 4
Sebeka—Carlos Castro 7, Tom Houle 3, Paul Funk 4, Austin Cannon 5, Tanner Brockpahler 2, Zach Sorenson 12, Justin Clark 10