The Spring Grove boys, with the No. 2 section seed, took quick control of the March 2 section clash with No. 15 Mabel-Canton. The 71-33 decision began with a 26-2 opening Spring Grove salvo on the way to a 45-21 halftime count. Jaxon Strinmoen scored 16 points before halftime on the way to his 18-point, 10-rebound double along with 4 steals, 2 blocked shots and 5 assists … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Fires, fatalities, 50 years and leap year festivities
Part ten of a series It became associated with Sadie Hawkins, a 1937 cartoon character. But 57 years earlier, a similar social event occurred in 1880 Caledonia. The 1882 History of Houston County recounted notable events year by year. THE YEAR 1878 (continued) In December, Mr. John Knock, a German living in the township of Brownsville, was killed by the fall of a large limb … [Read more...]
Season ends for Spring Grove girls with section loss at Kingsland
The 2023 basketball season ended for the Spring Grove girls with a third loss to Kingsland, 64-49, in the Section 1A opener for both teams on Feb. 23 at Spring Valley. With the No. 5 seed, the Knights (21-6) prevailed again over the No. 12 Lions (12-15), but this rematch followed a far different script. During the two regular-season contests, Kingsland had things well under … [Read more...]
Lion boys sweep state-ranked series with Lyle/Pacelli
The regular season closed with a state-ranked conference rematch as Class A No. 7 Spring Grove completed a sweep of visiting No. 9 Lyle/Pacelli, 53-38. In front of a huge crowd, some having to stand throughout, the Lions wrapped up their second-ever 25-win regular season and their 11th undefeated Southeast Conference campaign in the last 19 years while extending their … [Read more...]
Lion boys coast past ‘Canes again, 77-36
The Spring Grove boys poured in a season-high dozen 3-point field goals during a 77-36 rout at Houston. The Lions (24-1, 19-0 SEC) enjoyed hot 52% shooting on the road the next game after their worst shooting night of the season on their home floor (29%). Tysen Grinde scored his 1,000th career point, joining both older brothers in marking that milestone (Chase 2,336; Caden … [Read more...]
Spring Grove boys get past Mabel-Canton, 49-34
It was a “grinder” with both teams struggling to get the ball into the basket. The No. 8 state-ranked Spring Grove boys claimed a 27th consecutive win over next-door neighbor Mabel-Canton, 49-34, on Feb. 20, but there was little similarity to the Lions’ 49-point road rout (85-36) in mid-January. The Grove guys improved to 23-1 (18-0 SEC) while the Cougars left at 10-15 (7-12 … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Sleeping through a theft, auspicious celebration in Brownsville
Part nine of a series A local organization of the national anti-liquor movement, the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, was founded in Caledonia on November 1, 1878, “with many of the leading ladies of the village as officers.” This was published in an 1882 History of Houston County, which included year-by-year newsworthy events during the county’s first three decades. … [Read more...]
Rally falls one point short for Lion girls against Houston, 49-48
The Spring Grove girls came up one point short after trailing by 18 points in the second half. Down by seven with a minute remaining, the Lions scored three times within 45 seconds before visiting Houston escaped with a 49-48 win as the regular closed on Feb. 16. Addyson McHugh had a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double in her last appearance on the home court. She was one … [Read more...]
Hot-shooting Spring Grove girls too much for Mabel-Canton
It had been six years since the Spring Grove girls had shot as well as they did during a 60-22 road win at Mabel-Canton on Feb. 15. Their 48% from the field was their best in the last 156 games, dating back to the 2017 season. And it was not that the Lions were shooting lay-ups; they scored two-thirds (40) of their 60 points from the perimeter, including a season-high 10 … [Read more...]
Lion girls rally with defense to overtake Cardinals, 66-52
The Spring Grove girls won 66-52, rallying from a 15-point deficit to win by 14 at LeRoy-Ostrander on Feb. 13. The Cardinals hit 6 of 7 early shots and 6 of 7 free throws to take a 19-4 lead before the Lions changed defenses. Full-court pressure led to a season-high 19 steals for Spring Grove, which contributed to 33 Cardinal turnovers. the most of any Lion opponent this … [Read more...]