Photo by Emma Geiwitz
Boys Basketball: #3 Warriors Week Includes Defending and Dunking #9 Bombers
Caledonia boys basketball came into the week as the top-ranked state team in Section 1AA. A massive section game was one of three on tap for the week. Brad King’s group started with exorcizing the demon that was a 64-60 loss a year ago at neighbor La Crescent/Hokah. The Warriors beat the Lancers earlier this season at home, 84-62. A 105-51 road whitewashing was their highest scoring contest and second largest victory of the year. The halftime score was 71-19! Garrett Konz (19 pts), Noah Treptow (16 pts), Mason King (14 pts, four threes), Grant King (14 pts), Reid Klug (11 pts) and Ethan Stendel (10 pts) gave Team Cal six guys in double figures. Third-ranked Caledonia (12-0, 21-2) then welcomed #9 Cannon Falls (19-3) in a re-match of a 1AA semifinal last year, won 82-81 on Bomber Dylan Banks’ last second shot. Safe to say, Caledonia remembered in a match-up of 1AA’s top two teams by record and QRF. The Warriors hit eight straight shots early including Ethan Stendel throwing down three dunks in a 23-15 start. The Warrior length and frenzied defense resulted in 14 first-half Bomber turnovers. The lead ballooned as high as 40-21. CF was within 14 (46-32) at halftime. But the Warriors were locked in early in the second half, making 9 of 10 field goals. The lead grew to 68-36! It was over with double-digit minutes left on the clock, running time came into effect, as Team Cal slammed down six dunks and the Bombers 82-48. Konz (25 pts, 9 rebs, 3 blks) and five-dunk Stendel (18 pts, 9-11 FGs, 10 rebs, 4 stls) led the way. M-King (16 pts) and Klug (13 pts) also hit double figures. Sophomore Miles Rechtzigel (14 pts, 5 rebs) and Gavin Johnson (13 pts) led CF. Caledonia shot 36 of 70 for the game (51%), attacking the basket liberally. They were 31 of 52 from two-point range (60%). Cannon finished with 20 turnovers and they shot 19 of 59 (32%). The Warriors finished the week rolling through Fillmore Central 92-31. G-King and Konz each scored 17 first-half points. King scored 12 in a row early. Konz threw down five dunks including on three straight possessions. The first gave him 1,000 career points. The Warriors hit 15 straight shots late in the stanza, building a 61-18 lead at intermission. Twelve players scored for Caledonia, led by G-King (21 pts, 10-11 FGs), Konz (19 pts, 9-15 FGs), and M-King (15 pts, 3-6 threes, 6 rebs). Josh Haugerud (11 pts, 5 rebs) led FC. Caledonia (13-0, 23-2) won its 12th straight game. FC fell to 6-7, 11-14.
Girls Basketball: FTs With 1.2 Left Propel GM to 14 in a Row, Shared Title
Grand Meadow girls basketball finished out the regular season in dramatic fashion. Hosting Lanesboro (8-5, 15-10), the Larks (11-2, 21-2) looked up at a 46-45 deficit with 0:15.3 left. GM had looked up at deficits since relinquishing a 18-6 start to the game. Lanesboro rallied, ending the first half 22-6 to lead 28-24 at intermission. The Larks only briefly led in the second half. But the lead changed hands on the last three scores of the game. Via a little jumper, Burro star Jensyn Storhoff put her team ahead 46-45 (0:15.3). The junior guard was a Lark menace (23 pts, 7 rebs, 6 asts, 4 stls). After a timeout, Lark star Lauren Queensland got inside, missed a shot, got her own rebound, and she was then fouled. The senior clutchly hit two free throws with 1.2 on the clock to propel GM to a regular-season ending 14th straight win, 47-46, in a hot-contested interleague battle! Queensland (22 pts, 11 rebs, 4 asts) led the Larks. Prior to her free throws, she had a driving basket to put GM up 45-44 with about 2:00 left. Gracie Foster (12 pts, 7 rebs, 5 asts) and Rylee Schaufler (5 pts, 7 rebs) helped. Hailey Erickson (16 pts, 7-11 FGs) was Storhoff’s best accomplice, scoring six straight points late in the game. The duo scored all 18 of the Burros’ second half points. GM was 4 of 25 from deep (16%), Lanesboro 2 of 23 (9%). The Larks were plus-five from the line, 11 of 18 (61%) to 6 of 10 (60%). Earlier in the week, GM beat Lewiston-Altura 81-41 and LeRoy-Ostrander 75-37. Queensland scored a season-high 34 points (14-24 FGs, 10 rebs, 9 asts) versus L-A. Foster added 26 points (7-13 threes, 8 rebs, 6 asts). Naomi Warmka (8 pts, 11 rebs, 4 asts) helped. GM scored 51 first half points, hit 14 of 28 threes (50%), and won its 20th game (20-2). Queensland was again high-scorer (27 pts, 9-14 FS, 3-6 threes, 6-7 FTs, 11 rebs) versus L-O. Foster (12 pts, 4-7 threes, 7 asts), Schaufler (13 pts, 6-8 FGs), and Warmka (4 pts, 9 rebs) helped. Benita Nolt (16 pts) paced L-O. Kendall Olson added 9 points (3-7 threes). GM (12-2, 22-2) has clinched a share of the SEC title with Spring Grove (11-2, 19-5). The Larks are 1A’s 3-seed, will host Wabasha-Kellogg (3-21). Lanesboro (8-6, 15-11) is the 7-seed, will host 10-seed Blooming Prairie (7-18).
Boys Basketball: Rohweder/Geiwitz Power Houston to Historic SEC-East Title
Entering the game, Houston (10-3, 14-7) already had a share of the SEC-East title locked up over nearest foe Schaeffer Academy (8-8, 11-10). Behind the two guys most offensively responsible for the strong season, Jake Merchlewitz’s group whipped a team with two good scorers to claim the outright division crown. Houston ripped to a 47-24 halftime lead versus LeRoy-Ostrander. The final was 86-57. Hurricane seniors Morgan Rohweder (31 pts, 4-8 threes, 13 rebs) and Carter Geiwitz (30 pts, 7-12 FGs, 12 rebs, 4 asts) had their best collective game ever. Rohweder hit 11 of 12 free throws, Geiwitz 7 of 8 threes and 9 of 10 free throws. Maddox Rodriguez added 11 points (5-9 FGs). L-O was led by Reid Hungerholt (24 pts, 3-6 threes, 5-7 FTs) and Camden Hungerholt (15 pts). Ryder Stern added 8 (pts) and 7 (rebs). Houston hit 14 of 21 threes (67%) and 20 of 22 free throws (91%), makes and percentage of each, season-highs. The ‘Canes also beat Lanesboro 69-56 while losing to Kingsland 71-65 (See “SEC Boys Basketball” for more). Houston (12-4, 16-8) takes the East over SA (9-8, 12-11), SG (8-9, 10-13), the Burros (7-9, 10-13), and M-C (7-10, 9-15). It is Houston’s first ever SEC title (since 1992). It is their first boys basketball title since the River Vally crown in 1987. It has been quite the trek for the seniors, who were pressed into varsity action as 8th graders and freshman in 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, when Houston went a combined 1-43.
Girls Basketball: #5 Warriors Take Broom to TRC
Caledonia’s girls wrapped up their regular season with three wins including taking a broom to the TRC. Scott Sorenson’s group shellacked La Crescent/Hokah 70-25 and Fillmore Central 69-34 to complete a perfect league season. The #5 in AA Warriors also beat Cannon Falls 62-23. Aubrie Klug had 23 points (four threes) versus the Lancers. It was her 14th game scoring 20 or more points. She has done so 12 times in 13 contests (25.4 PPG average over that span). Nicole Banse (17 pts), Josie Foster (11 pts), Jessica Stendel (8 pts), and Kensey King (7 pts) helped. Versus FC, Foster (30 pts, 5-10 threes, 9 rebs, 4 asts) and Banse (21 pts, 8-13 FGs, 5 rebs, 7 asts, 4 stls) did big work. Foster had 22 in the first half. Banse hit 5 of 6 threes. Klug (10 pts, 4 rebs, 5 asts, 4 stls) helped. Sophia Bronner (8 pts, 8 rebs) led FC, which had 28 turnovers. Caledonia had just 12. Versus the Bombers, it was 43-12 at halftime. Klug (18 pts, 4 stls) and Foster (13 pts, 5 rebs, 5 asts, 4 stls) made double figures. Stendel (9 pts, 5 rebs), Sienna Augedahl (8 pts, 5 rebs), and Banse (6 pts, 9 rebs, 5 asts) helped. The Warriors (14-0, 23-3) are 1AA’s 1-seed, will host either 16-seed La Crescent/Hokah (2-23) or 17-seed St. Charles (4-22). FC (6-8, 13-13) is 1A’s 8-seed, will host 9-seed Faribault B.A. (13-11).
Boys Basketball: Trojans Breeze Through Non-Conference Foes
Rushford-Peterson’s boys continued their good season by breezing through three 1A and SEC foes. Versus Schaeffer Academy, RP hit 18 of 41 threes (44%) with four players making at least three. The Trojans shot 52% (37 of 70) overall with five turnovers in a 98-46 win. It was a season-high point-total. Will LaFleur (5-10 threes, 7 rebs, 5 asts) and Cayden Lea (5-13 threes) each scored 19 points. Carson Johnson (15 pts, 7-9 FGs, 7 asts) and Jaxson Meldahl (12 pts, 4-5 threes, 4 rebs, 4 asts) also hit double figures. Cole Thompson (9 pts, 3-8 threes, 5 asts), Zach Baker (8 pts, 3-3 FGs, 2-2 FTs), and Landon Dahl (8 pts, 4 rebs, 4 asts) helped. Hosting LeRoy-Ostrander, R-P made 19 of 22 shots at one span in the first half, turning a 16-13 deficit into a 59-33 halftime lead. The Trojans shot 11 of 25 from deep (44%) and 38 of 62 (66%) from the field with two turnovers in a 93-53 win. LaFleur (19 pts, 3-6 threes), Thompson (15 pts), Lea (13 pts, 3-6 threes), Car. Johnson (13 pts, 6 rebs, 8 asts), and Dahl (10 pts, 4-5 FGs) made double figures. Camden (22 pts, 5-9 threes) and Reid Hungerholt (12 pts) led the Cards. Hosting Mabel-Canton, the Cougars led 20-19 midway thru the first half. R-P finished the stanza 35-7 to lead 54-27 at intermission. R-P prevailed 79-44. Lea (26 pts, 6-12 threes, 5 rebs, 8 asts, 4 stls) and Car. Johnson (20 pts, 9-12 FGs, 5 rebs, 5 asts) were big. Lea scored 23 in the first half, hitting five threes. Dahl added 11 (pts) and 5 (rebs). R-P hit 10 of 29 threes (35%). M-C was led by Darian Hershberger (11 pts, 5-9 FGs), Isaac Underbakke (10 pts, 6 rebs, 5 asts), and Tyler Larson (8 pts, 6 rebs). R-P improved to 18-4 overall (8-4 in the TRC). They are 13-0 versus the section, ranked third behind Goodhue (16-8) and Southland (25-0). M-C fell to 7-10 in the SEC, 9-15 overall.
Basketball: Gophers Win Three Nail-Biters
The week of Monday, February 10 saw Chatfield’s teams win three nail-biters. Coming off a last second win over Wabasha-Kellogg 63-62, Chatfield’s boys played Triton. The teams were even after 36 minutes. Chatfield’s Masyn Kreter made two late free throws to tie the game late in regulation. Triton missed a game-winning three at the buzzer. The game went to overtime tied at 67. In the extra session, Carson Harstad hit a pull-up 15-footer (0:05) to put Chatfield ahead 74-73. Triton never got a shot off subsequently, as Jeremy McBroom’s group posted the overtime win. Harstad finished with 31 points (4-10 threes, 5-7 FTs, 11 rebs), scoring five of Chatfield’s seven points in overtime. Ross Stoehr (14 pts, 8 rebs, 4 stls) and Kreter (10 pts, 8 rebs) helped. Pierce Petersohn went for 38 (pts) and 13 (rebs) for the Cobras. A night later, the Gophers fell behind PEM 8-7 and then never led until Stoehr authored a three-point play with 0:05.2 left, making the score 59-57! PEM’s Parker Matti then missed a decent look at the three, giving the Gophers the big win. They fell to the Bulldogs 68-51 in December. Stoehr (13 pts, 6-8 FTs, 8 rebs), Ryan Rindels (11 pts, 3-3 threes), Harstad (10 pts, 5 rebs), and Kash McBroom (10 pts, 4-5 FGs, 5 rebs) made double figures. McBroom scored eight straight points late, as Chatfield ended the game on a 13-1 run, annulling a 55-46 PEM led with about 5:00 left. Chatfield hit 17 of 21 free throws (81%), PEM 6 of 12 (50%). The Gophers (10-14) have now more than tripled last year’s win total (3-24). The girls nail-biter was versus L-A. Chatfield watched the Cardinals shoot well and build a 40-20 halftime lead. The Gophers then came all the way back, forcing 31 turnovers, grabbing 20 steals for the game. L-A missed a free throw with 0:10 left. Chatfield rebounded and pushed. Amaya Harmening scored the game-winning basket off an offensive rebound as time expired for the 63-62 win! L-A shot 45% (25 of 56) from the field, the Gophers 29% (22 of 75). The Cards were 5 of 15 at the free throw line (33%), Chatfield 13 of 30 (43%). Harmening (16 pts, 8 rebs), Grace Schroeder (14 pts, 5-7 FTs, 5 stls), Kylin Schroeder (11 pts, 9 rebs), and Kendall Knutson (10 pts, 11 rebs) did work for Kyle Tollefson’s group. Chatfield’s girls (7-8, 12-14) are 1AA’s 10-seed, will play at 7-seed PEM (17-9). The gals lost to PEM 64-53 and the boys lost to L-A 82-68 (See “TRC Boys Basketball” and “TRC Girls Basketball” for more).
Three Rivers Conference Boys Basketball (2/11 & 2/14)
Cotter 53, Fillmore Central 47 (FC: Josh Haugerud 12 pts, 5 rebs; Greg Kennedy 10 pts; Anthony Kiehne 9 pts (3-7 threes); Bridon Bahl 8 pts. FC led most of the way. The lead was 44-38 when Cotter ended the game on a 15-4 run over the final 5:40. Cotter shot 46% (23 of 50), FC 33% (16 of 48))
Lewiston-Altura 82, Chatfield 68 (C: Carson Harstad 16 pts; Ross Stoehr 13 pts, 10 rebs; Masyn Kreter 11 pts; Ryan Rindels 8 pts; Brandt McBroom 8 pts. L-A’s Zane Nelson scored 25 second half points, 27 total points. Gophers > 4-9, 10-14)
Southeast Conference Boys Basketball (2/10 – 2/15)
Mabel-Canton 44, Spring Grove 72 (SG: B. Udstuen 28 pts (9-14 FGs, 4-8 threes, 6-6 FTs), 5 stls; Devon Williams 11 pts (4-5 FGs); Bryce Berns 8 pts, 4 asts. M-C: Kale Tollefsrud 13 pts; Isaac Underbakke 10 pts, 4 rebs, 4 asts; Tyler Larson 9 pts. The Lions sank a season-most 12 three-pointers (12 of 30 > 40%). SG led only 31-25 at halftime before winning by 28.)
Grand Meadow 32, Southland 89 (GM: C. Glynn 14 pts, 7 rebs. Southland improved to 24-0)
Kingsland 101, Lyle/Pacelli 67 (K: M. Erdman 25 pts (6-6 FTs), 18 rebs; P. Johnson 20 pts (8-13 FGs), 7 rebs, 5 asts; Zach Reiland 17 pts (6-9 FGs), 8 asts; Gavin Hubka 11 pts, 5 rebs; Caden Reiter 8 pts, 11 rebs; Seth Howard 8 pts (4-5 FGs). Kingsland scored an easy season-high, hitting 40 of 77 shots (52%))
Lyle/Pacelli 38, Spring Grove 59 (SG: B. Udstuen 20 pts (4-12 threes), 7 rebs; Lyric Stadtler 10 pts (4-4 FTs); B. Berns 8 pts, 5 rebs, 5 asts, 5 stls; D. Williams 7 pts, 6 rebs. Within the first two minutes, SG scored the first 12 points of the game. SG avenged an earlier loss to the Athletics)
Houston 69, Lanesboro 56 (H: M. Rohweder 35 pts (13-16 FGs, 7-10 threes), 8 rebs; C. Geiwitz 14 pts (3-5 threes), 5 rebs, 7 asts. L: Nick Taylor 14 pts, 4 asts; Levi Rogers 9 pts, 5 rebs; David Harvey 8 pts; Mason Gilbertson 9 pts, 4 asts. Houston outscored Lanesboro 33-24 in the second half, expanding on a 36-32 halftime lead. The Hurricanes shot 57% (27 of 47), the Burros 49% (23 of 47). But Houston made 12 of 22 threes (55%), Lanesboro 4 of 12 (33%))
Southland 78, Kingsland 58 (K: M. Erdman 17 pts (7-11 FGs), 10 rebs; P. Johnson 8 pts, 8 rebs; Z. Reiland 8 pts, 4 asts; C. Reiter 8 pts. Southland led 37-31 at halftime)
LeRoy-Ostrander 62, Grand Meadow 47 (L-O: R. Hungerholt 20 pts; Camden Hungerholt 18 pts (3-9 threes), 7 rebs, 7 asts; Carter Sweeney 11 pts, 7 rebs. GM: C. Glynn 20 pts (3-11 threes), 11 rebs; Keaton Gehling 12 pts, 6 rebs. LO > 8-8, 11-13. GM 4-13, 5-17)
Kingsland 71, Houston 65 (K: M. Erdman 24 pts (6-11 FGS, 9-12 FTs, 3-4 threes), 14 rebs, 3 blks; P. Johnson 23 pts (10-16 FGs), 10 rebs; G. Hubka 8 pts. H: C. Geiwitz 28 pts (9-14 FGs, 5-7 threes), 5 rebs; M. Rohweder 21 pts (5-12 threes), 8 rebs. Kingsland hit 17 of 28 free throws (61%), Houston 11 of 17 (65%). Knights > 10-8, 14-10. Hurricanes > 12-4, 16-8)
Non-Conference Boys Basketball (2/13)
Mabel-Canton 60, Fillmore Central 76 (FC: Clayton Schoepski 14 pts (5-7 FGs, 4-5 threes), 4 stls; G. Kennedy 13 pts, 5 rebs; J. Haugerud 13 pts (3-8 threes), 7 rebs; A. Kiehne 12 pts; B. Bahl 11 pts (3-9 threes), 5 rebs; Tyler Gulbranson 8 pts (4-5 FGs), 11 rebs. MC: I. Underbakke 18 pts (8-13 FGs), 12 rebs, 5 asts, 4 stls; T. Larson 12 pts (4-7 threes), 6 rebs; Kale Tollefsrud 8 pts, 5 rebs; Darian Hershberger 7 pts, 7 rebs. FC hit 14 of 41 threes (34%) to M-C’s 8 of 21 (38%). M-C had 22 turnovers, FC 12)
Three Rivers Conference Girls Basketball (2/11 – 2/14)
Rushford-Peterson 81, Lewiston-Altura 45 (R-P: Nadia Happel 23 pts (3-6 threes, 6-7 FTs); Torryn Schneider 20 pts (6-8 FTs), 9 rebs, 5 asts, 6 stls; Nevaeh Happel 16 pts, 8 rebs. R-P won the second half 46-15. **Game from January 21)
Chatfield 53, PEM 64 (C: A. Harmening 21 pts (7-13 FGs, 7-11 FTs), 13 rebs; Kendall Knutson 10 pts, 7 rebs; Brittin Ruskell 10 pts (3-7 threes). Chatfield led 29-28 at halftime, led midway through the second half. PEM then controlled things from there. Chatfield was 6 of 26 from deep (23%), PEM 6 of 16 (38%). The Gophers played without Grace Schroeder)
Fillmore Central 52, Cotter 73 (FC: Sophia Bronner 17 pts, 7 rebs; Kyla Hellickson 8 pts. Cotter hit 14 of 29 threes (48%) and Clarissa Sauer scored 30 points. FC shot 50% (18 of 36) but had 26 turnovers)
Rushford-Peterson 68, La Crescent/Hokah 40 (R-P: N. Happel 17 pts, 5 rebs; Alannah Skalet 13 pts (3-5 threes); Kaia Loney 13 pts; T. Schneider 8 pts, 4 asts, 4 stls.)
Southeast Conference Girls Basketball (2/10 – 2/14)
LeRoy-Ostrander 25, Spring Grove 65 (SG: K. Soiney 20 pts, 7 rebs, 3 stls; Kylie Hammel 9 pts, 10 rebs, 7 asts; Emerson Ingvalson 9 pts, 7 rebs, 3 stls; Izabel Kaufmann 7 pts. L-O: Benita Nolt 16 pts, 13 rebs))
Kingsland 47, Southland 68 (K: Hailee Warren 13 pts, 8 rebs; Chantle Reiland 11 pts, 4 asts, 4 stls; Lydia Redman 8 pts)
Lanesboro 47, Houston 59 (H: Aubry Boldt 18 pts, 6 rebs, 6 stls; Jorja Meyer 14 pts (6-7 FTs), 6 rebs; Emily Botcher 13 pts, 7 rebs. L: Emma Ruen 17 pts (5-9 threes), 6 rebs, 5 stls; Jentrey Schreiber 13 pts (3-10 threes); Jensyn Storhoff 8 pts, 7 rebs, 6 asts, 5 stls. Lanesboro shot 29% (17 of 59) to Houston’s 37% (20 of 54) and the ‘Canes won at the line 14 of 17 (82%) to 5 of 10 (50%). Houston led 27-23 at the half and never by less than four the rest of the second half)
Lyle/Pacelli 34, Spring Grove 70 (SG: K. Soiney 17 pts, 6 stls; E. Ingvalson 15 pts, 4 stls; S. Konkel 10 pts, 4 asts; I. Kaufmann 9 pts, 7 asts. SG shot a season-best 48% from 3-point land with a season-most 12 treys)
LeRoy-Ostrander 34, Kingsland 68 (Kingsland ended a nine-game skid)
Non-Conference Girls Basketball (2/10 & 2/11)
Houston 56, St. Charles 40 (H: J. Meyer 15 pts (6-7 FTs), 11 rebs; E. Botcher 11 pts, 8 rebs; A. Boldt 10 pts, 7 rebs, 4 asts, 3 blks. Houston overcame a 22-20 halftime deficit, winning the second half 36-20)
Blooming Prairie 43, Kingsland 35 (K: Macy Runck 11 pts (3-13 threes); H. Warren 5 pts, 8 rebs)
Hayfield/Schaeffer Academy 59, Rushford-Peterson 55 (RP: T. Schneider 11 pts, 5 rebs, 5 asts, 4 stls; Nad. Happel 9 pts, 6 stls; K. Loney 10 pts, 8 rebs; Nevaeh Happel 9 pts, 7 rebs; Alannah Skalet 8 pts. A tight game saw Hay/SA build a 41-33 lead in the second half. R-P then tied it twice, at 45-45 and 48-48. Viking Jenna Christopherson answered each score though. The Trojans got three-point plays from Ava Helgemoe and Nadia Happel in the final 0:30, but Hay/SA went 6 for 6 at the free throw line in the final 0:18.2. R-P had the ball down 57-54 with 0:07.5 seconds but were purposely fouled away from the basket and never had a shot at the win. The Trojans had 24 offensive rebounds, but shot 25% (19 of 77) to Hay/SA 43% (20 of 47))
Lanesboro 46, Decorah 42 (L: J. Storhoff 23 pts (3-10 threes), 8 rebs, 5 asts, 6 stls; Emma Root 7 pts, 8 rebs, 4 stls. Lanesboro won the first quarter 13-8 and it was the only stanza decided by more than two points. Decorah pulled within two (44-42) with 1:04 left and had the ball twice in the final minute looking for the tie or the lead, but only attempted one desperation throw with 0:05 left. Storhoff iced it with two free throws with 1.3 ticks left)
Spring Grove 41, Kee 53 (SG: S. Konkel 14 pts, 4 asts; K. Soiney 13 pts, 7 rebs, 4 stls; E. Ingvalson 7 pts. The Lions led 28-25 at halftime but were outscored 28-13 in the second half. SG attempted a season-most 29 treys, season-fewest four FTs)
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