The Spring Grove boys pummeled Southland with 3-point shooting and a swarming, long-armed defense that limited the Rebels to a season-low 33 points while forcing 25 turnovers – almost twice the number of the Rebels’ 13 field goals. Five different Lions hit treys as half of the SG baskets were launched beyond the 3-point arc where the Lions shot a season-best 46% while sinking a … [Read more...]
Lion boys upend state-ranked Loyola, 61-54
The Spring Grove boys defeated state-ranked No. 9 Mankato Loyola, 61-54, in the Southern Minny Hoops Fest at Byron, sponsored by Breakdown on Saturday, Jan 7. The marquee matchup featured eight lead changes with the hot-shooting Crusaders throwing in 11 treys and outshooting Spring Grove overall, 49% to 42%. But the sure-handed Lions, with only 6 turnovers to Loyola’s 15, got … [Read more...]
Win over Southland makes three straight for Lion girls
The Spring Grove girls extended their winning streak to three games with a third straight win in the series against Southland, 47-36, on Jan. 6 at Spring Grove. With a young playing rotation that includes an eighth grader, three freshmen, two sophomores and two seniors, the Lions evened their record at 5-5 (3-3 SEC) while the Rebels returned home at 3-6 (2-2 SEC). Each … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Harmful never, mysterious ever
First of a series They were not thieves or vandals, recalled Ingrid Julsrud abut the vagabonds she encountered during her youth in the village of Houston. Called tramps, hoboes and bums, they were regarded as harmless or at worst, a nuisance “They never harmed anyone. To us kids, they were a source of wonder, curiosity and mystery.” It was all during an era before public … [Read more...]
Late surge lifts Lions past West Lutheran
The Spring Grove girls scored the last dozen points of the game to win by 15 against West Lutheran, 58-43, on Dec. 28, the second day of holiday double headers at Rushford-Peterson. West Lutheran is located in Plymouth, just west of the Twin Cities and plays in Class A, Section 4. Lion freshman Kylie Hammel had an outstanding stat line with 18 points, 8 rebounds, 2 … [Read more...]
Spring Grove girls fall to Annandale in holiday runaway
For the Spring Grove girls, it was the second straight challenge against a larger school, when the Lions fell to Class AA Annandale, 60-34, at the Dec. 27 holiday double headers at Rushford-Peterson. The Cardinals (3-2) opened the second half by scoring on 10 of 11 possessions to extend its seven-point halftime lead into a commanding 22-point advantage (48-26). Annandale is … [Read more...]
Lion boys hammer Higher Ground, 83-39
The Spring Grove boys (3-1) matched a program-record 65 points before halftime on the way to an 83-39 rout of Higher Ground Academy (1-4) on Dec. 28, the second day of holiday double headers at Rushford-Peterson. It is the first season of basketball for the players from the St. Paul school, which had lost to R-P, 86-47, the day before. Jaxon Strinmoen, hitting 11 of … [Read more...]
Spring Grove boys fall to Dawson-Boyd in holiday matchup
Dawson-Boyd overcame 19 turnovers with sizzling shooting. The Spring Grove boys shot well at 44%, but D-B shot better - 58% overall, including an astounding 81% from 2-point range. The Blackjacks (with jackrabbit logo) handed the Lions their first loss, 66-57, at the annual holiday double headers at Rushford-Peterson on Dec. 27. The next afternoon, the Section 3, Class A … [Read more...]
Defense, dribble drives provide victory over L/P for Grove girls
The Spring Grove girls overcame a sluggish start and frosty free throw shooting with defense and productive dribble drives on offense to get past Lyle/Pacelli, 58-45. The Lions (4-5, 2-3 SEC) boarded the bus for Austin on Jan. 2 - a day and half early to avoid an impending winter storm. Lyle/Pacelli scored the first 10 points of the game, and then the Lions tallied the … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Rosy cheeks and recess at the skating rink
Fifth of a series “Fox and Geese” or “Crack the Whip” or “Pom-pom-pullaway“ or even a hockey game might break out. It was all impromptu as Spring Grove youngsters organized games on outdoor ice during the 1950s and ‘60s. Nature provided ice skating locations in lower elevations with rivers, lakes and sloughs. Farm youth, after shoveling off snow, could skate on frozen ponds, … [Read more...]