Basketball (3/10)

Girls Basketball: #5 Warriors Whip Their Way to 1AA Title Game

Both games were won handily.  There was no semifinals disappointment.  Top-ranked #5 in AA Caledonia (1-seed, 24-3) plowed through Zumbrota-Mazeppa and Cotter to make the 1AA finals.  In the quarters, the Warriors did not exactly shoot well from deep in the first half, making five threes in 20 attempts (25%).  But it did not matter against Z-M (9-seed, 13-14).  Scott Sorenson’s long limbed and athletic gals brought the defense.  And that was more than enough.  The Cougars took a lot of (hurried) long shots, when they did not turn the ball over.  And they did that 17 times in the stanza.  Junior Nicole Banse scored eight points to get team Cal rolling to a 12-0 start, which became 17-2.  The Warriors had the points they needed to win, 27, with about seven minutes left in the first half.  Holding their seventh straight foe under 40, Caledonia prevailed 66-25.  Junior guard Aubrie Klug scored a game-high 22 points (3-10 threes, 5 steals).  Banse (14 pts, 5 rebs, 6 stls) scored all her points in the first half.  Josie Foster added 10 (pts), 8 (rebs), 5 (asts), and 4 (stls).  Paisley Peterson (7 pts, 6 rebs) led Z-M.  The Cougars finished with 27 turnovers and three made field goals per half, making 6 of 45 total shots (13%). In the semis, the #5 Warriors (1-seed, 25-3) then faced TRC rival Cotter/HL (4-seed, 18-9) in the teams’ third meeting.  A year ago, Caledonia fell late to Rochester-Lourdes 61-59 in the same spot.  This time, there was little drama, no heartbreak.  Caledonia trailed once, 2-0.  They jumped out 10-2.  Making 11 of 11 free throws, scoring 13 second-chance-points, Scott Sorenson’s gals led 46-29 at half.  In the second half, Caledonia got five big scores in the middle of the stanza: four threes and a three-point play.  Despite star guard Clarissa Sauer reigning down long threes, Cotter/HL got no closer than 13 after intermission.  Caledonia moved on via a 78-59 victory.  Warrior stand-outs Foster (22 pts, 3-7 threes, 11 rebs, 4 asts), Klug (21 pts, 4-13 threes, 4 rebs, 3 asts, 3 stls), and Banse (20 pts, 3-5 threes, 8 rebs, 4 asts) each topped 20 points, bagging all 10 Cal threes.  Banse was 3 of 3 in the second half.  Kensey King added 8 (pts) and 6 (rebs).  Sauer poured in a game-high 27 points (5-9 threes).  Camrie Macal added 12 (pts) and 16 (rebs).  The Warriors (26-3) move on to face 2-seed D-E (22-7), which beat 3-seed Lourdes (18-11) in the other semifinal. 

Girls Basketball: GM Tops SG/M-C to Make 1A Final

One side of the 1A girls’ bracket ended with rival Grand Meadow and Spring Grove/Mabel-Canton doing battle in the semis.  For the third time in four years, Lark girls basketball is heading to the 1A final. 

Queensland Outscores ‘Canes in Quarters

G rand Meadow (2-seed, 23-2) technically needed only one player to out-score Houston (6-seed, 17-8) in the quarters.   Senior Lauren Queensland bagged GM’s first 12 points.  Houston’s offense struggled mightily, at one point missing 14 straight shots.  For the half they shot 3 of 30.  Leading scorer Aubry Boldt was curtailed to two points, and her best offensive accomplice, Avery Kingsley, tore an ACL months ago and thus not able to play.   All told, the Hurricanes started the game 5 of 44 shooting (11%).  Behind Queensland, who pumped in 29 points (12-24 FGs, 5-10 threes, 11 rebs), the Larks moved on to a 1A semi by 60-25 final.  Naomi Warmka (10 pts, 8 rebs) and Gracie Foster (9 pts, 3-4 threes, 11 rebs) aided the Lark cause.  Boldt (10 pts) led Houston.  Shooting 1 of 32 from deep (3%), the ‘Canes scored a season-low.  GM hit 10 of 24 threes (42%).  Houston’s season ends at 17-9. 

Second-half Surge Sends Lions past Burros

Spring Grove/Mabel-Canton (2-seed 21-5), facing its greatest quarterfinal deficit of nine points, launched a 25-2 run and defeated Lanesboro (7-seed, 16-11), 65-57. That second-half sequence was in sharp contrast to a first half with 11 lead changes and nine tie scores. After the teams split their regular-season series, the Burros closed at 16-12, while the 22-5 Lions advanced to the 1A semis for the second straight season. For the Lions, Kinley Soiney scored 20 points (4-7 threes), Siri Konkel 19, and Kylie Hammel 13. Konkel, with 5 assists, and Emerson Ingvalson with 4 assists (no turnovers) also paced the defense with 3 steals each. Soiney and Brinley Middendorf led Lion rebounders with 6 each, but Lanesboro prevailed, 37 rebounds to 27.  During that game-sealing run, SG/MC shooters scored on 11 of 14 possessions, but a defensive adjustment was critical as well. Two-time all-conference point guard Jensyn Storhoff scored 17 points in the first half and then scored the Burros’ next five points as they opened the second half with a 7-to-3 spurt. After neither squad had led by more than five points during the first half, Lanesboro was suddenly up by nine (42-33). But SG/MC went to a combination zone to defend Storhoff, who double-teamed, did not score again until the Lions led by 12 with two minutes left. Storhoff still finished with a game-high 29 points (7 rebs, 4 asts).  Emma Ruen (7 rebs) passed out a game-high 7 assists. Sophomore Jentrey Schreiber contributed 11 points, 6 rebounds. Both teams shot well enough from 3-point range: SG 9 for 25 (36%) and LHS 9 for 28 (32%). But the Lions knocked down twice as many mid-range shots (6 to 3) and from the field overall, outshot the Burros, 41% to 35%.

Third Time a Charm for GM Versus SG/M-C

Familiar foes GM (3-seed, 24-2) and co-SEC champion Spring Grove/M-C (1-seed, 22-5) thus matched up in the semis.  The Lions swept the season series.  Included was rallying from down 44-35 to prevail 59-49, finishing on a 24-5 run in Grand Meadow.  The Larks did not finish that game.  They finished the section semifinal.  A hotly contested early battle fizzled late, as SG/M-C made 2 of its final 20 shots versus GM’s focused defense.  The Larks never trailed in the game, starting 8-0, leading 26-19 at halftime.  SG/M-C was 1 of 16 from deep in the stanza.  The teams were hot to start the second half, Lions hitting 7 of 10 field goals, GM 6 of 9.  SG/M-C got to within one at 31-30.  GM junior Naomi Warmka, not a heavy volume distance shooter, then hit a three.  Two possessions later, she fought hard for an offensive rebound, and found Gracie Foster for another triple.  The lead was lifted back to 37-30, stemming SG/M-C’s tide.  Shortly thereafter, the Lions began their game-ending run of not being able to buy a basket.  The Lions finished a season-low 3 of 29 from deep (10%).  GM ended on a 29-9 run to post a 60-39 win.  All five starters contributed heavily; Aspen Kolling (13 pts, 5-6 FTs, 5 rebs), Foster (12 pts, 3-6 threes, 11 rebs, 4 asts), Warmka (11 pts, 4 rebs, 5 asts), Queensland (10 pts, 6-6 FTs, 5 rebs, 5 asts), and Rylee Schaufler (8 pts, 5 rebs).  Reserve Paisley Kolling added six points (3-3 FGs).  SG was led by Siri Konkel (11 pts) and Kinley Soiney (9 pts).  Soiney’s defense helped hold Queensland to just two field goals.  While SG/M-C struggled from deep, GM was 7 of 18 (39%).  SG/M-C shot 27% overall (17 of 63), GM 45% (19 of 42).  The Larks made hay at the free throw line; 15 of 21 (71%) to SG/M-C’s 2 of 2.  The Lions had five turnovers, GM 13.  GM had 14 assists, SG/MC 7.  On a 17-game win streak, the Larks (3-seed, 25-2) will face top-seed #1 in A Goodhue (23-5).  SG/M-C finishes at 22-6. 

Girls Basketball: Trojans Top Southland in Quarters, Fall #1 Goodhue in Semis

Rushford-Peterson girls basketball (16-9) got the 4-seed in the 1A playoffs.  They won a couple playoff games but fell in the section semis.  Versus Southland (5-seed, 17-8) in the 1A quarters, junior guard Nadia Happel came out firing.  Kaia Loney may have overcome some first half jitters with a good second half effort. Said things were key as the Trojans took down the Rebels.  R-P stormed out of the gates, hitting nine of its first 11 field goals including an 8 for 8 spree. Happel hit three threes on four possessions, all assisted by Torryn Schneider.  The Trojans jumped out 22-8.  But R-P then ended the half going 4 of 22 from the field! They nonetheless led 34-18 at intermission.  An 11-0 run got Southland to within seven, 36-29, in the second half.  But R-P then went inside to the soft touched Loney.  The sophomore missed a few bunnies in the first half, her last five shots to be exact.  But she scored back-to-back buckets, propping the R-P lead back to double digits at 40-29.  Later, she scored twice more in a row, then assisted Schneider, who drained a dagger three.  It put R-P up 54-35 with 7:19 left.  They cruised to a 58-39 win.  Happel (18 pts, 4-4 threes, 7-9 FGs), Loney (14 pts, 7-13 FGs, 8 rebs), and Schneider (13 pts, 8 asts) did big work.  Their defense held Rebel junior 1,000-point scorer Breeley Galle to two points (0-4 FGs, 2-2 FTs).  Juliette Matheis (13 pts, 3-5 threes, 5 rebs) led Southland.  The Rebels had 22 turnovers to R-P’s 12.   The Trojans’ 1A semifinal reward was #1 in Class A, defending state champion Goodhue (1-seed, 22-5).   The Wildcats beat Class AA #5 Caledonia 64-60.  The Warriors twice handled R-P.  With Goodhue boasting a deep team that presses full-court and comes at you in waves, R-P was overmatched.  The Trojans (4-seed, 17-9) had 17 first half turnovers.  They were minus-eight (17 to 9) in that department, minus-seven on shots taken, 9 of 24 to 13 of 31.  The result was a 37-21 halftime deficit.  Goodhue, led by speedy 5’4” guard Lola Christianson (22 pts, 9-13 FGs, 4-6 threes), long-armed Natalie Thomforde (17 pts, 4 rebs, 4 stls), and 6’0” senior F/C Kendyl Lodermeier (13 pts, 6 rebs), another in the long line of Lodermeier standouts, was too much for Joe Hatch’s girls.  The Wildcats prevailed 74-51.   Schneider (13 pts, 6 rebs, 6 asts), Loney (12 pts, 7 rebs), and Nevaeh Happel (10 pts, 4 rebs, 4 stls) did work for R-P, which had 28 turnovers. Their solid season ends at 17-10.  Nev. Happel is the lone senior.

Boys Basketball – 1A Playoffs (2/25 & 2/27)

19-seed Faribault B.A. (2-21) 45, 14-seed Mabel-Canton (9-17) 75 (MC: T. Larson 20 pts (6-6 FTs), 4 stls; Isaac Underbakke 15 pts, 5 rebs, 6 asts; Kale Tollefsrud 15 pts, 6 asts.  BA had 33 turnovers; M-C shot 48% (27 of 62)) 

17-seed Lyle/Pacelli (3-23) 69, 16-seed Grand Meadow (5-20) 65 (GM: C. Glynn 22 pts (4-8 threes); Keaton Gehling 22 pts (6-17 threes); Sawyer Hanenberger 8 pts, 6 stls; Logan Grafe 5 pts, 12 rebs.  L/P: Landon Meyer 17 pts, 13 rebs, 9 asts.   GM led 33-23 in the first half, but later trailed 60-52 with 5:03 left.  Lark Blake Hubbard hit a three to tie the game 63-63 (2:07), but L/P’s Hunter Wollenberg then made a three to make it 66-63 (1:16).  Meyer hit two key free throws with 0:25 left to make it 68-64.  GM hit 13 threes, L/P 9.  The Larks beat L/P twice in the regular season.  GM finishes at 5-21) 

9-seed Spring Grove (11-13) 40, 8-seed Schaeffer Academy (14-11) 59 (SG: Bryce Berns 14 pts; Lyric Stadtler 12 pts.  SA: Ethan VanSchepen 32 pts, 15 rebs; Luke Frieze 20 pts.  SG lost its third game to the Lions this year, shooting 29% (16 of 56).  They had a season-low 12 first half points.  SG finishes at 11-14) 

12-seed Lanesboro (11-14) 40, 5-seed Houston (18-8) 51 (H: Morgan Rohweder 18 pts (4-6 FTs), 14 rebs; Carter Geiwitz 16 pts (3-9 threes), 11 rebs, 4 asts; Maddox Rodriguez 9 pts. L: Nick Taylor 16 pts, 11 rebs, 4 asts; Mason Gilbertson 8 pts, 5 asts.  Houston ended the first half 8-0 to lead 20-17 at intermission, then never trailed. The Burros finish at 11-15) 

11-seed LeRoy-Ostrander (13-13) 56, 6-seed Kingsland (15-10) 65 (K: M. Erdman 19 pts (7-10 FTs), 16 rebs; Gavin Hubka 16 pts (4-8 threes); Kaaleem Reiland 13 pts; Zach Reiland 8 pts.  LO: C. Hungerholt 24 pts (8-14 FTs); Reid Hungerholt 14 pts; Tyson Stevens 10 pts.  Kingsland built a 35-21 halftime lead.  The Knights hit 8 of 22 threes (36%), LO 1 of 15 (7%). Kingsland had 18 turnovers, LO 8.   The teams split in the regular season.   LO finishes at 13-14)

10-seed Kenyon-Wanamingo (13-13) 51, 7-seed Fillmore Central (11-15) 58 (FC: Tyler Gulbranson 18 pts (8-11 FGs), 10 rebs; Josh Haugerud 14 pts (7-8 FTs), 6 rebs, 4 stls; Clayton Schoepski 10 pts; Greg Kennedy 5 pts, 12 rebs, 4 stls.  KW: Oliver Bauer 20 pts (6-16 threes), 6 rebs, 6 asts.  FC trailed 20-19 at the half.  Gulbranson, a 6’6” 280-pound center, scored 12 straight Falcon points in the second half.  FC started the stanza with a 18-6 run to lead 37-26.   The lead was at least five the rest of the way.  FC hit 18 of 21 free throws (86%) all in the second half, 11 of 14 in the final 3:00) 

14-seed Mabel-Canton (10-17) 33, 3-seed Rushford-Peterson (21-4) 81 (RP: W. LaFleur 25 pts (7-10 threes), 6 rebs, 6 asts; Cayden Lea 13 pts (3-4 threes); Cole Thompson 9 pts (3-4 threes).  MC: Issac Underbakke 18 pts (4-5 threes, 6-6 FTs), 10 rebs.  R-P ended the first half 31-0 to lead 57-20 at intermission. They hit 16 of 28 threes (57%).  M-C finishes at 10-18) 

Boys Basketball – 1AA Playoffs (2/27)

16-seed Albert Lea (6-19) 47, 1-seed #3 in AA Caledonia (24-2) 91 (C: R. Klug 25 pts; Mason King 17 pts (five threes); Garrett Konz 13 pts; Ben Stemper 11 pts.  Caledonia jumped on the Tigers 61-16 at the half, as 10 Warriors scored overall) 

11-seed Chatfield (11-15) 43, 6-seed Lewiston-Altura (18-8) 65 (C: Carson Harstad 9 pts; Masyn Kreter/Ryan Rindels/Kash McBoom 8 pts.  LA: Zane Nelson 28 pts.  The Cardinals won their third against the Gophers this year, as Chatfield was 3 of 14 from deep and attempted just four free throws.  The Gophers finish at 11-16)

Girls Basketball – 1A Quarterfinal (2/24)

8-seed Fillmore Central (14-13) 31, 1-seed #1 in Class A Goodhue (21-5) 67 (FC: Sophia Bronner 10 pts, 12 rebs; Madilyn Zwart 9 pts. G: Kendyl Lodermeier 12 pts, 5 rebs; Lola Christianson 12 pts, 5 rebs, 7 stls.  FC had 47 turnovers including 30 in the first half.  Seven Wildcats scored at least seven points.  FC finishes at 14-14)