It is already an unusual year, but 2020 struck again as the Missouri Military Academy season got underway.

The Colonels head into the holiday break at 2-2 – or perhaps 3-2, if you count the game MMA’s varsity squad did not expect to play.

“Pilot Grove came in for what was scheduled as a junior varsity game,” explained MMA head coach David Mahurin. “However, the Tigers brought their entire varsity roster to the fray.”

But as one is often forced to do in the year of COVID-19, Mahurin chose to make the best of the situation. Although his seniors were unavailable, he hastily assembled a lineup that eked out a 42-39 win.

“It was actually an excellent opportunity for some younger kids to play critical roles,” Mahurin observed.

The Colonels wrapped up the December leg of the season with an encouraging loss. In another bid of 2020 improvisation, MMA added Salisbury to the schedule. The perennial powerhouse Panthers barely escaped with their unbeaten record intact.

MMA came out strong, building an early 18-11 advantage thanks to the hot shooting hands of T.J. Samsonith and Landry Rudasingwa. Salisbury swung matters in their favor, but the Colonels kept things tight throughout.

With a minute to go, clinging to a 2-point lead, Salisbury rallied for a 56-51 victory.

“The most encouraging aspect this team brings is a willingness to compete,” Mahurin said. “In the past we haven’t handled adversity too well.”

Samsonith put up 20 points on the night, with Rudasingwa added 11. Jose Elizondo tacked on 8.

MMA opened the campaign at Silex. Both sides had lost practice time and it showed in the first half, but the Colonels pulled out to a 17-12 margin at the break. Ricky Padron and the defense stiffened. Samsonith and Rudasingwa broke things open in the third as the team piled on 24 points on their way to a 55-23 drubbing of the Owls.

The duo each hit double digits – Samsonith 15, Rudasingwa 14 – with Elizondo, Jeremy Ansel and Padron each dropping 6.

Things went awry when MMA traveled to Columbia.

“We simply got hammered by Class 4 Battle High School,” Mahurin said.

The Spartans drained eight three pointers in the first half alone and dominated the boards on their way to an 80-41 blowout. Still, Samsonith kept things respectable, scoring 11 on the night.

Pilot Grove’s surprise visit left the Colonels without their senior leadership. But in a tight game Sophomore Elizondo stepped up, hitting for 14. He was joined on the board by junior Alexander Thomas with 10. Ansel contributed 8 and Noah Corzine 7.

It counted when MMA hosted Wright City. The teams were deadlocked at 29-29 into the third quarter when the Colonels got a little breathing room. Samsonith, Elizondo and Rudasingwa again took the offensive reins in a 45-38 victory.

“If letter grades were given, I’d throw a B- at this team,” Mahurin said. “Our strengths have come in depth, size and some shooting ability. Our defense is still a mystery to some. However, it has been a delightful season thus far.”