Boys Basketball: State-Ranked Lions Roll to Three Road Wins

State-ranked #13 in Class A Spring Grove shot well, poorly and in-between while controlling three SEC rivals, one of which, Kingsland, was also state-ranked. Wade Grinde’s Lions never trailed, and the first two runaways were well in hand long before halftime. But the third was not wrapped up until a second-half run. In an 82-34 win at Houston, the Lions shot a season-high 42% from 3-point range (8-19) and a season-high 55% overall. It was 41-17 at halftime. Elijah Solum, in only his second game off the injured list, did not miss a shot (12-12 FGs, 5-5 FTs) for a career-high 33 points. Isaac Nerstad (5-7 FGs) and Jaxon Strinmoen each netted 13 points. Ben Udstuen contributed 10. The Hurricanes had balanced scoring, led by Alex Wedl with 7 points. The next night, the #13 lads won 60-40 at #14 Kingsland, which came in as the only undefeated SEC squad. The Knights (7-1, 9-1 overall) competed well during the second half, but it was too late as SG led comfortably, 33-17, at halftime. They jumped out 14-1. Kingsland’s first field goal came at the 10:48 mark. Strinmoen had 19 (pts), 7 (rebs), 5 (asts) and 5 (stls). He was on fire in the first half (all 19 points). Jacob Olerud contributed 15 points, Solum 11 and Udstuen 9. For the Knights, Jayden Brink led the way (14 pts, 6 rebs). Parker Johnson and Max Erdman each scored 8 points. Grove shot well from 3-point range (36%, 9 for 25) but shot a season-worst 39% inside the arc for 38% overall to Kingsland’s 43%. The Lions shot more often with only 10 turnovers to the Knights’ 24. Spring Grove then completed a season sweep of Lanesboro, 54-30. The Lions shot a season-worst 30%, but the Burros struggled, too, at 27%. Again, SG had only 10 turnovers to 22 for Lanesboro. The Lions, with 20 offensive rebounds, outscored LHS, 17-0 in second-chance points. SG led by 10 at halftime before icing the game with a 15-0 run. Solum had a game-high 15 points. Strinmoen enjoyed a double-double (13 pts, 13 rebs). Nerstad added 9 points. Udstuen was credited with 6 (pts), 7 (rebs), and 5 (asts). Leading LHS scoring was Mason Howard with 10 points. SG improved to 9-1 SEC, 11-1 overall. They lead the East over Houston (4-5, 7-6) and M-C (4-5, 6-8).