Cats Ride Abasolo's 32 To Another Victory at the Circle Thunderbird Classic over Independence

MHS - Men's Basketball / December 13, 2019 By Kasey McDowell


Thursday, December 13, 2019, The Mulvane varsity boys basketball team defeated Independence, Ks High School, 66-58, in the second game matchup of the T-Bird Classic.

The Cats were able to hold off Independence behind the hot hand of Jr. guard, Trey Abasolo who finished with a game high 32 points. Through two tournament games, Abasolo is averaging 32.5 points per game, and 27.3 points per game on the season through three games. Abasolo finished with 11 rebounds, 5 assists, zero turnovers, 2 steals, and one block.

But hidden in all those statistics was one of the most important plays of the game, if not the season. After making two free throws with 44 seconds remaining up 61-58, Independence senior, No.3, Amauryon Farley, tried to inbound the ball by rolling it to jr., Jaxon Paige. But that’s when Abasolo sprinted forward and leaped head first like Pete Rose sliding into third base and stole the ball away from Paige, and also managed to call a timeout while still on the floor to save the possession for the Wildcats and preserve the win.



“Watching that play happen live and replaying it on film, I couldn’t be more proud as a coach or as a dad, “ said Head Coach, Mike Abasolo, “It just exemplifies the level of effort and competing that the sport can teach a young teenager to help prepare them for life off the court. Never quit.”

Sr. Gage Gerlach finished with 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals, going 3 out of 5 from the floor to shoot 60%. Gerlach was also asked to defend 6’3” TJ Turner for Indy, and he did an outstanding job all night.

Sr. Mike Manis had 11 points on the night with an early three pointer mixed in. He also had 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. He did a great job of holding his ground on defense against 6’5” Davion Lewis.

So. Ian Comer contributed 4 points, So. Mason Ellis and Sr. Kiser Jansen each had 3, but it was the defensive contribution of Comer, Ellis, Gerlach, and Sr. Luke Coffey that truly made the difference for the Cats.

“I can’t say enough about our defensive effort, Comer, Ellis, Gerlach, Manis, Coffey, they all made the difference in us winning or losing, and it was all about their defensive commitment.” Said Coach Abasolo.

The Men's JV team faced off against Independence and fell 46-71. Junior Aaron Ballinger had a great game with 22 points (with five 3-pointers) and sophomore Mason Ellis finished with 7 points, sophomore Jacob Duncan with 6 points, sophomore Ian Comer with 5 points, sophomore Sam Westfall with 4 points, and sophomore Kelton Boster with 2 points.

Now the Cats will face their second top ranked opponent of this young season in No. 3 ranked Parsons High School on Saturday at 4pm. The trio of Parsons’ seniors, Dariq Williams, Daquan Johnson, and Ezekiel Lyons will be a tall task for the Cats to keep their winning streak alive. Game times are 2:30 PM for JV and 4:00 PM for varsity today.

*Photo Creds: Greg Proctor



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