Basketball: Warrior Teams Each Top R-P, Secure TRC-East Titles, 20 Wins
With a little school synergy, Caledonia’s basketball teams each secured out-right TRC-East basketball titles versus Rushford-Peterson. The boys game saw the visiting Trojans (8-3, 15-3) lead the #3 in AA Warriors (10-0, 19-2) late in the first half, 24-20. But Cal senior guard Mason King then hit three straight threes. King scored 17 consecutive Warriors points, as Brad King’s group went to half up 42-34. Caledonia scored on 12 of their first 13 possessions (9-11 FGs, 7-9 FTs) of the second half. They led 68-43 and prevailed 84-67. King (24 pts, 3-12 threes, 5 rebs) and Ethan Stendel (19 pts, 8-10 FGs, 7 rebs) led the attack, the latter throwing down an impressive offensive-rebound put-back jam in the first half. Garrett Konz (14 pts, 6 rebs, 3 blks) and Reid Klug (13 pts, 7 rebs) helped. A much shorter and younger R-P team was led by sophomore Cayden Lea (23 pts, 5-12 threes, 4 asts). Carson Johnson (12 pts, 8 rebs), Will LaFleur (10 pts), and Jaxson Meldahl (8 pts) helped. R-P hit 16 of 19 free throws (84%), Caledonia 16 of 21 (76%). The Warriors (11-0, 20-2) won their 20th in securing the TRC title over nearest challenger, the Trojans (8-4, 15-4). Cal has won nine in a row. Meanwhile, in Rushford, the Warrior girls grabbed the out-right TRC-East title with a runaway 70-39 win over R-P. Aubrie Klug pumped in 27 points (5-13 threes, 4 stls). Josie Foster (13 pts), Jessica Stendel (7 pts, 9 rebs), and Kensey King (7 pts, 11 rebs) also did work. Torryn Schneider scored 10 to lead R-P. The Trojans had 25 turnovers to Cal’s 12. The Warrior girls (12-0, 20-3) also got to 20 wins, as they take the East over Cotter (10-3, 15-7) and the Trojans (7-5, 13-8).
Girls Basketball: R-P Gets Redemption on Lanesboro, Burros End SG’s Streak
Three top-tier 1A girls teams played two games where redemption was a common theme. At Lanesboro (7-4, 13-8), Rushford-Peterson (7-4, 12-7) majorly redeem a 62-59 loss earlier this year. Joe Hatch’s group built a 42-28 halftime lead and prevailed 81-50. R-P pulled the super rare feat of putting six girls in double figures; Nadia Happel (14 pts), Alannah Skalet (12 pts), Nevaeh Happel (11 pts, 3-5 threes, 8 rebs), Torryn Schneider (11 pts, 3-4 threes, 6 rebs, 5 asts), Kaia Loney (11 pts, 7 rebs), and Ava Helgemoe (10 pts). Jensyn Storhoff (20 pts, 6 rebs, 5 asts) led Lanesboro. Jentrey Schreiber and Emma Root added 8 points. R-P hit 10 of 26 threes (39%), Lanesboro 7 of 25 (28%). The Burros (7-4, 13-9) then redeemed that loss, and an earlier 72-59 loss versus Spring Grove (9-1, 17-3). The Burros used a 20-4 run to start the second half to build a 50-35 lead on SG. The Lions then got within five at 52-47 (5:01), got a quick steal, missed a short lane shot, only for Storhoff to rebound and pass ahead to Taylor Hanson for a bucket, a key four-point-swing sequence. Storhoff next broke SG’s press with a long pass for a Cora Mayer layup (4:12), making it 56-48 Burros. Steve Storhoff’s group posted their best win of the year, 66-56, ending SG’s 12-game win streak. Storhoff (21 pts, 7-10 FTs, 10 rebs, 7 asts, 5 stls) won the battle of top SEC point guards over SG’s Siri Konkel (7 pts, 9 asts, 4 stls). Hanson (13 pts, 6-9 FGs, 6 rebs), Hailey Erickson (10 pts, 9 rebs), and Emma Ruen (8 pts, 4 asts) helped. Kylie Hammel (11 pts, 8 rebs) and Emerson Ingvalson (10 pts) hit double figures for SG. Kinley Soiney (8 pts) and Brinley Middendorf (6 pts, 8 rebs) helped. Each team hit six threes at about 25%, but the Burros hit 50% of their twos (17 of 34). SG was 9 of 37 (24%). Lanesboro also had 17 turnovers, SG 22. Each team took 29 free throws, SG making 20 (69%), Lanesboro 14 (48%). Grand Meadow (10-2, 19-2) now leads SG (9-2, 17-4) in the SEC followed by Southland (9-4, 15-7) and Lanesboro (8-4, 14-9).
Boys Basketball: Hungerholt Sets Scoring Record Amidst L-O’s 3-0 Week
Brothers Camden and Reid Hungerholt continued scoring at a munificent clip. LeRoy-Ostrander’s offense has been putting up the points lately. Justin Stevens’ group notched a 3-0 week. Hosting the Lyle/Pacelli, L-O made 21 of 22 free throws (95%) and Cam Hungerholt scored 37 points (10-10 FTs, 7 rebs, 6 asts) in an 87-69 win. The 87 points was a season-high. Reid Hungerholt added 22 (pts), 10 (rebs), and 5 (asts). Ryder Stern (14 pts, 13 rebs) and Tyson Stevens (5 pts, 8 rebs, 4 asts) helped. Hosting Medford, L-O scored an 80-34 win with their third straight 80-plus-point game. C-Hungerholt (22 pts, 6 asts), R-Hungerholt (18 pts, 3-5 threes), and Stern (16 pts, 18 rebs) piled up 56 of the team’s points. At Mabel, C-Hungerholt needed 13 points to top brother Trey Hungerholt as the Cardinals’ all-time leading boys’ scorer (1,772). Safe to say, he got it. The gifted L-O senior scored 27 points, in the first half. A four-point play set the school mark. L-O controlled things versus the Cougars, which entered having won four of five and looking for a 3-0 week. The Cards led 39-32 at the half, went on a 10-2 run early in the second half (5-5 FGs) to lead 56-38, and posted a 74-55 victory. C-Hungerholt finished with 38 points (13-27 FGs, 4-8 threes, 8-10 FTs, 6 rebs). R-Hungerholt added 20 (pts) and 7 (rebs). It was the ninth time each topped 20 in a game this season. Stern chipped in 13 (pts) and 15 (rebs), his fourth straight double-double. The trio scored all but three Cardinal points. Isaac Underbakke (16 pts, 4 asts), Tyler Larson (16 pts), and Darian Hershberger (12 pts, 7 rebs) led M-C. L-O (7-7, 10-11) has won six of eight games and has gone 8-4 since a 2-7 start. M-C fell to 7-9, 9-12. C-Hungerholt is now the boys’ all-time leading scorer. Sister Haley Hungerholt (2,507) has the girls and school marks. Dad Aaron Hungerholt (1,193) is on the Rushford/Rushford-Peterson 1,000-point scorer list.
Boys Basketball: The SEC East Whip Around, ‘Canes Secure Share of Title
In the SEC, West leader Southland (16-0, 23-0) is the top team. The East has been a dogfight. The week on Monday, February 3 was no different. Mabel-Canton beat Lanesboro 48-46. M-C beat Houston 61-58. Lanesboro beat Spring Grove 52-33. Houston then beat Lanesboro 58-51. The Cougar-Burro affair had each team lead by eight in the first half. The second half had five lead changes. Lanesboro’s Nick Taylor hit two free throws to tie the game 44-44 (1:50). M-C’s Darian Hershberger then scored three straight points to put M-C up 47-44 (0:33). Lanesboro missed three straight threes late. Cougar Bode Weidemann hit the second of two free throws (0:10.3) to put M-C up 48-44. Lanesboro’s Rogers scored with 0:03 left but, after a timeout, M-C inbounded the ball and ran out the clock before being fouled. M-C made 11 of 17 free throws (65%), Lanesboro 7 of 16 (44%). Hershberger (17 pts, 7-9 FTS, 8 rebs), Tyler Larson (12 pts, 10 rebs), and Isaac Underbakke (9 pts, 6 rebs, 5 stls) led M-C. Taylor (15 pts, 9 rebs), Conor Danielson (12 pts, 3-5 threes), and Rogers (8 pts, 8 rebs) led the Burros. In the Cougar-Hurricane non-conference affair, M-C jumped out 9-0. Houston then played from behind for most of the game. Down the stretch, the Cougars hit seven straight free throws (10 of 12 in the second half). Kale Tollefsrud, Hershberger, and Underbakke each scored with two single-bonus freebies in the final 2:26. Underbakke also broke free from the Hurricane press for a layup making it 56-47 Cougars. Those eight points were key as M-C toppled the East division leader. M-C was plus-five, 11 of 17 (65%) to 6 of 9 (67%), at the free throw line. The starting five, Underbakke (19 pts, 14 rebs, 5 stls), Kale Eiken (13 pts, 5 rebs), Hershberger (12 pts, 6 rebs), Tollefsrud (9 pts), and Larson (8 pts, 10 rebs), did work. Morgan Rohweder (22 pts, 5-13 threes, 11 rebs, 6 asts), Carter Geiwitz (13 pts, 6 rebs, 5 asts, 5 blks), and Maddox Rodriguez (14 pts) led the ‘Canes. In the Lanesboro-SG contest, the Burros never trailed. The Lions scored a season-low point total, going 3 of 25 from deep (12%). Lanesboro shot 42% (21 of 50) overall to SG’s 30% (13 of 44). Rogers (16 pts), David Harvey (14 pts, 7 rebs), Taylor (13 pts, 6 rebs), and Mason Gilbertson (8 pts) did work for Matt Asleson’s crew. Ben Udstuen (8 pts, 6 rebs) led SG. The Burros then led Houston 43-39 with 7:11 left only for a 9-0 ‘Cane run, a 48-43 lead. Jake Merchlewitz’s group hit 7 of 9 free throws down the stretch to secure a 58-51 victory. C-Geiwitz (18 pts, 8-8 FTs, 16 rebs) and M-Rohweder (18 pts, 6-7 FTs, 13 rebs) led Houston. Z-Olson added 14 points. N-Taylor (16 pts, 3-4 threes, 8 rebs), L-Rogers (13 pts, 11 rebs), D-Harvey (10 pts), and M-Gilbertson (9 pts, 5 asts) paced Lanesboro. Houston hit 17 of 21 free throws (81%), but 1 of 20 threes (5%). Geiwitz, a 6’5” senior, scored his 1,000th career point. Winning five of six games, Houston’s boys (10-3, 14-7) have clinched a share of the SEC-East over Schaeffer (9-8, 11-10), Lanesboro (7-8, 10-12), M-C (7-9, 9-12), and Spring Grove (6-9, 8-13). The Hurricanes do not have a league loss to any of those teams.
Boys Basketball: Larks Post Two, Two-Point Wins
After a winless 2023-2024 campaign, Grand Meadow boys basketball is back to being competitive. Chad Burmester’s group grabbed two, two-point wins, over Hayfield and Schaeffer Academy, the latter in double overtime. The Larks (3-11, 3-15) led the Vikings (7-13) by as many as 16 (37-21) in the second half only for Hayfield to tie the game 60-60. Carter Glynn then scored back-to-back post-up baskets to make it 64-60 (1:17). Keaton Gehling hit a couple key free throws to make it 66-62 (0:47). Hayfield’s Charlie Walker hit a big three, making it 67-65 (0:13.2), but after GM missed the front end of the one-and-one, the Vikings did not get a shot up in the final 0:11.2. GM held on 67-65. Glynn (25 pts, 10-12 FGs, 4-4 threes, 13 rebs) had a huge game. Cohen Craft (14 pts, 6-9 FGs), Gehling (12 pts, 5-6 FTs), and Logan Grafe (6 pts, 15 rebs) helped. Walker paced Hayfield (21 pts, 5-13 threes). GM shot 46% (26 of 47) to Hayfield’s 38% (24 of 63). The Vikings made 12 threes, GM nine. Versus Schaeffer, GM led 35-25 at the half. Five straight points by Ethan VanSchepen had SA in the lead 48-44 (5:20). Very late (0:34), GM’s Cohen Craft tied the game 51-51 and VanSchepen missed a game-winning three, sending the game to overtime. Grafe hit a pair of freebies to put GM up 56-53 late in the session, but Luke Frieze tied the game 56-56 in the final seconds with a three. In a second OT, Gehling made two big threes. In a 62-62 game, he authored a steal and score (0:08)! Frieze missed a game-winning three at the end. GM prevailed 64-62 in two extra sessions! Glynn (21 pts), Gehling (20 pts, six threes), and Grafe (15 pts) led the Lark. GM is now 4-11, 5-15.
Three Rivers Conference Boys Basketball (2/7)
Chatfield 63, Wabasha-Kellogg 62 (C: C. Harstad 22 pts (3-11 threes), 8 rebs, 4 asts; Ross Stoehr 12 pts, 7 rebs, 4 asts; M. Kreter 9 pts, 4 rebs, 4 asts. In the final 0:10, Harstad missed a go-ahead shot but Kreter was fouled on the offensive-rebound put-back. He made one free throw, which proved the game-winner. Gophers > 3-8, 8-13)
Southeast Conference Boys Basketball (2/3 & 2/6)
Houston 79, Grand Meadow 59 (H: M. Rohweder 23 pts (10-16 FGs, 3-6 threes), 10 rebs; Carter Geiwitz 18 pts (7-12 FGs), 7 rebs, 4 asts; Zach Olson 13 pts (3-5 threes), 4 rebs, 4 asts; Alex Wedl 11 pts (5-7 FTs), 7 rebs, 4 asts. GM: Carter Glynn 19 pts, 9 rebs, 4 asts; Logan Grafe 13 pts (5-6 FTs); Cohen Craft 11 pts; Keaton Gehling 8 pts, 4 asts)
Schaeffer Academy 66, Kingsland 57 (K: Max Erdman 16 pts, 7 rebs; Kaaleem Reiland 13 pts, 6 asts; Zach Reiland 9 pts (4-4 FGs), 7 rebs; Gavin Hubka 9 pts. SA: Ethan VanSchepen 33 pts. SA swept the season series. Knights > 8-7, 12-9)
Non-Conference Boys Basketball (2/3 & 2/4)
#2 in AAA Decorah 93, Chatfield 58 (C: C. Harstad 33 pts (5-12 threes, 6-7 FTs), 9 rebs. D: Zach Driscoll 34; Cael LaFrentz 33 pts. LaFrentz is the son of former Kansas All-American and former N.B.A. player Raef LaFrentz)
Rushford-Peterson 66, Spring Grove 34 (RP: Car. Johnson 22 pts (10-15 FGs), 4 asts; Cayden Lea 15 pts, 5 asts, 5 stls; Will LaFleur 13 pts (3-6 threes), 5 asts; Landon Dahl 7 pts, 6 rebs. SG: Bryce Berns 7 pts; Ben Udstuen 6 pts, 8 rebs. The Trojans won with offensive rebounding and defense, limiting the Lions to a season-low 34 points. The 17 Trojan steals were the most for any SG opponent this season. R-P finished the first half with a 15-3 run and closed the game with a 17-2 run)
Wabasha-Kellogg 47, Houston 64 (H: M. Rohweder 18 pts, 14 rebs; C. Geiwitz 14 pts; Maddox Rodriguez 14 pts (6-7 FGs). Houston won despite going 1 of 10 from deep. But they shot 27 of 50 from two-point range (54%))
Kenyon-Wanamingo 55, Kingsland 71 (K: Parker Johnson 17 pts, 11 rebs; M. Erdman 16 pts (7-11 FGs), 11 rebs; G. Hubka 14 pt (6-7 FGs), 4 stls; K. Reiland 14 pts)
Three Rivers Conference Girls Basketball (2/7)
Wabasha-Kellogg 32, Chatfield 71 (C: Grace Schroeder 17 pts (3-5 threes); Kendall Knutson 9 pts, 5 rebs, 4 asts; Kylin Schroeder 9 pts, 6 rebs, 4 asts; Julia Goldsmith 8 pts (4-5 FGs); A Harmening 6 pts, 7 rebs. Gophers > 6-7, 11-13)
Southeast Conference Girls Basketball (2/3 & 2/4)
Grand Meadow 65, Houston 30 (GM: G. Foster 12 pts, 14 rebs, 10 asts; Naomi Warmka 15 pts (6-6 FGs), 7 rebs; Aspen Kolling 14 pts; Lauren Queensland 12 pts (5-8 FGs), 7 rebs, 5 stls. H: Jorja Meyer 11 pts; Aubry Boldt 11 pts. GM shot 55% (27 of 49), Houston 25% (11 of 43) including 1 of 19 from deep)
Lyle/Pacelli 19, Grand Meadow 57 (GM: G. Foster 22 pts (6-10 threes), 6 rebs; L. Queensland 14 pts, 8 rebs, 4 asts; A. Kolling 10 pts. GM led 44-15 at halftime, shot 46% (23 of 50), won its 11th in a row, and held a sixth straight foe under 40 points)
LeRoy-Ostrander 49, Lyle/Pacelli 60
Non-Conference Girls Basketball (2/4 – 2/7)
Kingsland 15, Rushford-Peterson 73 (R-P: Addison Drinkall 14 pts (5-7 FGs, 4-6 threes); Torryn Schneider 13 pts, 11 rebs, 5 asts, 4 stls; Alannah Skalet 12 pts (4-5 threes); Nadia Happel 11 pts (3-7 threes); Shelby Tesch 9 pts (3-3 FGs, 2-2 threes); Emily Helgemoe 8 pts. R-P hit a whopping 17 of 39 threes (44%). No Knight made more than one field goal)
Triton 71, Chatfield 51 (C: K. Knutson 14 pts (6-11 FGs), 6 rebs; A. Harmening 9 pts, 11 rebs; Lexi Kivimagi 9 pts, 6 asts. Chatfield gave up 18 offensive rebounds, had 28 turnovers. The Cobras improved to 21-2)
St. Charles 39, Lanesboro 64 (L: J. Storhoff 20 pts, 5 rebs, 8 asts, 7 stls; Hailey Erickson 16 pts (5-7 FGs, 6-6 FTs), 7 rebs; Jentrey Schreiber 9 pts (3-6 threes); Cora Mayer 5 pts, 10 rebs. SC had 24 turnovers, Lanesboro 14)
United South Central 83, LeRoy-Ostrander 56 (L-O: B. Nolt 36 pts (3-9 threes, 11-18 FTs), 13 rebs)
Randolph 62, Chatfield 75 (C: A. Harmening 21 pts, 17 rebs; L. Kivimagi 16 pts (4-6 threes), 6 rebs; G. Schroeder 11 pts (3-11 threes); K. Schroeder 9 pts, 5 rebs; K. Knutson 8 pts, 9 rebs, 5 asts. Chatfield trailed 34-25 at halftime. They went from down 14 to up by as many as 15 in about an 8-minute stretch in the second half. The Gophers hit 9 of 31 threes)
Faribault B.A. 49, Fillmore Central 62 (FC: A. Daniels 18 pts (12-13 FTs); Kyla Hellickson 13 pts (3-6 threes); Brooklyn Simon 8 pts; Haley O’Connor 6 pts (4-4 FTs), 6 rebs. FC hit 24 of 34 free throws (71%). They were one game removed from hitting 24 of 26 versus La Crescent/Hokah, leaving the Falcons 48 of 60 at the line in the two games (80%))
Decorah 51, Spring Grove 62 (SG: Siri Konkel 16 pts (5-6 FTs, 3-8 threes), 8 asts; Kinley Soiney 11 pts (3-9 threes), 6 rebs; Brinley Middendorf 9 pts, 5 rebs; Kylie Hammel 9 pts. The Lions had only eight turnovers and hit seven threes. The Vikings had 17 turnovers, zero threes. Spring Grove led at halftime, 29-20, and opened the second half with a 9-4 run)
Hayfield/Schaeffer Academy 68, Houston 47 (H: A. Boldt 15 pts; J. Meyer 8 pts, 5 rebs. Houston was 3 of 20 (15%) from deep. Hurricanes > 8-5, 14-8)
Kingsland 34, Fillmore Central 63 (FC: Sophia Bronner 14 pts (6-9 FGs), 17 rebs; K. Hellickson 11 pts, 5 rebs; Annika Mensink 10 pts (4-6 FGs), 4 asts; A. Daniels 8 pts. K: Chantle Reiland 11 pts, 4 stls. Kingsland > 3-9, 4-15)
LeRoy-Ostrander 57, Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons 53 (L-O: B. Nolt 19 pts, 6 rebs, 4 stls; Miranda Nagel 13 pts, 17 rebs; Maria Almaraz-Nolt 12 pts, 8 rebs; Mabel Johnson 8 pts. Cardinals pick up first win. L-O > 0-13, 1-21)
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