photo by Lee Epps
Much is expected from the 2023-24 Spring Grove basketball boys, greatly due to last year’s success and the players returning for five-time Section 1A Coach of the Year Wade Grinde and his veteran coaching staff, including Al Lochner and Tom Vix. The Lions won a school-record 31 games (20-0 SEC, 31-2) while hoisting the third-place trophy at the Class A state tournament. While winning their 23rd league championship, the Lions extended their conference winning streak to 36 games to claim the SEC East Division title for the third straight season and for the 12th time in the last 13 years.
Breakdown magazine has the Lions state-ranked No. 7 in Class A and the top team in Section 1A, just ahead of Kenyon-Wanamingo, Fillmore Central, Rushford-Peterson and Goodhue. The Boys in Black held off Goodhue in last years’ section championship game. Minnesota Basketball News has Spring Grove ranked at No. 20, close behind No. 16 Rushford-Peterson and No. 19 Goodhue, the only Section 1A teams among the top 20
Graduation claimed three regulars, including two-time All-SEC Tysen Grinde. But two All-SEC senior standouts do return – Elijah Solum (6’1” Sr. G > 16.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.1 spg; 1,214 career pts) and Jaxon Strinmoen (6’5” Sr. G > 12.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.4 apg, 3.0 spg). The big question is when will Solum be cleared to play after knee surgery – maybe in January. One publication tabbed Solum among the Super 100 seniors in the state, all classes.
Both Solum and Strinmoen were named to the Class A All-State Tournament team and to the First Team All-Conference, Solum for the second year. Coach Grinde, speaking about Solum, told Breakdown, “You just cannot replace that type of player … Elijah will rehab and come back stronger and physically as time will tell …We are expecting to have Elijah back to make a late season run again this year.”
Strinmoen was described by his coach, “At 6-foot-5, athletic and long, he is a handful on defense. He creates a lot of offense for us just by creating turnovers.”
Another returning starter is Ethan Crouch (6’4” Sr. C > 2.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg), described by Grinde, as “one of the best leaders we have had. His best leadership skill is talking on the court … When he is on the court, we are simply a better team.”
Also with considerable starting experience is Jacob Olerud (6’2” Sr. G > 6.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.1 spg), whom his coach describes as “a knock-down three-point shooter. He has the potential
to surprise a lot of people this season.”
Expect major contributions from two-year letter winners Isaac Nerstad (6’0” Sr. G) and Josh Newgaard (6’6” Sr. C) along with Ben Udstuen (6’4” Jr. F). Other promising candidates include six other juniors: Bryce Berns, Troy Reinhardt, Zach Brumm, Nate Crouch, Caleb Eiken and Kohl Betcher. Junior center Shawn Crouch will miss the entire season after a knee injury.
These will be the first Lions to play with the state’s new 35-second shot clock rule. Past opponents had to work long and hard to get quality shots against the always-effective Spring Grove defense. This year, opponents will have to contend with the shot clock as well.
Spring Grove should again contend for conference and section titles. Despite the injury situation, there is height, experience and athleticism. Potential is strong from those moving up from last year’s B-team that posted a 17-6 record. To earn another trip to the state tournament, the Lions will have to continue to win close games against quality opponents. Last winter, Spring Grove won all six games decided by single-digit margins.
The first three games are on the road against Schaeffer Academy, La Crescent-Hokah and LeRoy-Ostrander; the Dec. 21 home opener versus Glenville-Emmons has an early start time at 6 p.m. There are non-conference home games against Rochester STEM Academy and Martin County West. The Lions will travel for non-conference contests versus La Crescent-Hokah, Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, Fillmore Central and Rushford-Peterson.
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Spring Grove -the Last Seven Seasons
2023: 31-2 (20-0 SEC, 1st of 5) section champ, 3rd place state
2022: 24-5 14-0 SEC, 1st of 5) section semi-finalist
2021: 13-4 (12-2 SEC 1st of 5)
2020: 13-13 (9-5 SEC, 2nd tie of 5)
2019: 25-5 (14-0 SEC, 1st of 5) section champ, 3rd place at state
2018: 24-6 (13-0 SEC, 1st of 5) section runner-up
2017: 24-4 (13-0 SEC, 1st of 5)
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Spring Grove Varsity Boys (0-0)
12/12 at Schaeffer Academy
12/14 at La Crescent-Hokah
12/19 at LeRoy-Ostrander
12/21 Glenville-Emmons
12/22 Lanesboro
01/04 at Lyle/Pacelli
01/05 Southland
01/06 vs. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton (at Hayfield)
01/09 at Grand Meadow
01/12 Mabel-Canton
01/15 at Houston
01/16 at Kingsland
01/19 at Lanesboro
01/25 Kingsland
01/26 Schaeffer Academy 7:30 pm
01/29 at Fillmore Central (Preston)
02/01 LeRoy-Ostrander
02/02 at Glenville-Emmons 6 p.m.
02/05 Lyle/Pacelli
02/08 at Southland
02/10 at Rushford-Peterson 5 p.m.
02/12 Rochester STEM Academy
02/15 Grand Meadow
02/16 Martin County West 6:15 p.m.
02/19 at Mabel-Canton
02/23 Houston
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