Photo by Lee Epps
The Spring Grove boys completed a successful defense of their SEC East Division championship with a 91-34 home win over Glenville-Emmons and a 54-40 road win at second-place Lanesboro. It was the Lions’ 11th conference crown in the last 12 seasons. SG had only six turnovers in each contest, making it five straight games with single-digit miscues. The Lions overwhelmed the winless Wolverines with 24 steals leading to 36 fast-break points. SG scored 70 points in the paint and also had five players contribute to seven three-point baskets. They guaranteed themselves a share of the SEC-East with the win. Sophomore Elijah Solum had 17 points (8-11 FGs), 4 steals, and 6 assists with no turnovers. Carson Gerard (7 rebs), Jaxon Strinmoen (7 rebs, 6 asts) and Tysen Grinde each had 12 points and 4 thefts. Gerard was 5 of 7 shooting, Strinmoen 5 of 9, and Grinde 6 of 11. SG hit a season-high 38 of 68 shots (59%), scoring a season-high 91 points. While Grinde tallied career-high 25 points in both games against Lanesboro, this 14-point rematch margin was much closer than the Lions’ 36-point runaway back in December. The Burros led 12-11 after a foursome of three-pointers, but then five straight SG steals led to a 10-point Lion lead. L.H.S. was back within six points at intermission (29-23), but Grinde scored all 10 points as the Lions opened the second half with a 10-to-2 run (SG 39, Lanes 25). The Lion defense protected the paint and did not allow the Burros any trips to the foul line. SG won by 14 points with an 11-point advantage with free throws (11 of 13 to 0 of 0). Two-time All-SEC guard John Prestemon led L.H.S. (10 pts, 4 rebs, 6 asts). Mason Howard (9 pts) and Reece Benson (8 pts) helped. For SG, in addition to Grinde’s big day (25 pts, 3-8 threes, 6 rebs, 4 stls), Solum (14 pts, 5 asts) and Gerard (12 pts, 4-5 FGs, 4-5 FTs) hit double figures. Turnovers (L 18, SG 6) were a bugaboo for the Burros. SG also won from deep going 6 of 15 (40%) to the Burros 3 of 17 (18%). SG (11-0, 17-3) locks up the SEC East. Lanesboro fell to 4-5, 10-7.