East Champs M-C…Go to OT

They aren’t big, nor upperclassmen-laden. M-C girls basketball play bigger than they are, with discipline, and they have senior stand-out Coranda Vickerman. Adam Wilder’s girls beat Schaeffer Academy 57-52 to clinch the SEC-East division. Vickerman (24 pts, 9-16 FGs, 5-6 FTs, 10 rebs) led the way, as she’s done for three years now.  M-C’s other senior, Courtney Graves, added 16 points (8-14 FGs). Payton Danielson chipped in 11. It made the season finale with Houston meaningless standing-wise. Like against R-P, the ‘Canes tested a sub-section top-two seed. Houston’s 1-3-1 hindered M-C. The Cougars held two leads in regulation; 3-2 and 38-37. The last was courtesy of a Vickerman steal and lay-up (1:31). Houston then got a driving Jessica Kitching lay-up (39-38). Vickerman got fouled, making one of two. With 0:25 left, Houston took possession with it 39-39. Junior Becca Lee got fouled on a pass 20 feet from the basket (0:01.6). In the double bonus, one made free throw would’ve given Houston its biggest win of the year.  Instead, M-C won overtime 6-1, escaping with a 45-40 win.  Vickerman (23 pts, 9 rebs) led the way. Lexi Thorson (8 pts) hit two key second half threes.  Alyssa Rostad (18 pts, 8 rebs) led Houston, which went 4-13 from the line in the second half.  They were 0-7 shooting in overtime. The ‘Canes, young and with some good pieces, will see better days. M-C (11-3, 19-7) is 1A East’s #2 seed and will host #7 Lanesboro (5-9, 8-16).   The #3 seed Kingsland (10-8, 16-10) will host #6 Houston (6-8, 9-15).