Basketball: Warriors Sweep Benefit Doubleheader at R-P

The games were not close but the related cause associated with the doubleheader was important as Rushford-Peterson’s basketball teams hosted Caledonia. On the court, the Warrior girls used their length to handle the Trojans. Scott Sorenson’s group started the game 19-3 and never looked back in posting a 59-28 win. R-P’s plight was hindered by starting All-TRC point guard Ellie Ekern battling foul trouble. The long Warriors had 16 blocked shots. Junior Josie Foster had a big game (24 pts, 10 rebs, 4 asts, 3 blks). Nicole Banse (10 pts, 6 asts, 5 stls, 4 blks), Aubrie Klug (9 pts, 8 rebs), and Regan King (7 pts, 6 rebs, 4 blks) helped. Sienna Augedahl (2 pts, 10 rebs) and Kensey King (2 pts, 9 rebs) worked the glass. Torryn Schneider (9 pts, 6 rebs) and Tayler Helgemoe (6 pts, 10 rebs) led R-P, which had 21 first half turnovers leading to a 36-8 deficit.

The guys game then saw Caledonia extract revenge for a 75-73 overtime loss last year to R-P. Caledonia ripped to a 28-7 start and never looked back in posting 91-64 victory. Mason King scored 27 points (7-10 threes). Ethan Stendel (17 pts, 7 rebs) threw down a pair of dunks. Reid Klug (14 pts, 7 rebs) and Ben Stemper (11 pts) also hit double figures to lead Brad King’s group. R-P played seven freshman or sophomores. They were led by senior Dawson Bunke (20 pts, 6-15 threes). He scored 17 after halftime. Sophomore Will LaFleur (11 pts) scored all his points in the first half. Frosh Cole Thompson (12 pts, 4-9 threes) also hit double figures. Both programs entered undefeated, #5 in AA Caledonia 2-0, #14 in A R-P 3-0. Off the court, a silent auction, bake sale, and pulled pork sandwich feed benefit took place to support R-P teacher, Lanesboro native, Emily Charlebois, who is battling cancer. Caledonia’s boys (2-0, 4-1) also beat Sioux City-Bishop Heelan 71-67 while losing to Waverly-Shell Rock 75-63 on the week. R-P (0-2, 4-2) lost to La Crescent/Hokah 72-64 while beating Faribault B.A. 81-45. Caledonia’s girls (3-1, 3-2) also lost to Decorah 54-48. R-P’s girls (1-2, 4-2) also beat LC/H 66-44 and Faribault B.A. 61-31. See “Boys Basketball” and “Girls Basketball” for more on those games.