The Spring Grove boys, with the No. 2 section seed, took quick control of the March 2 section clash with No. 15 Mabel-Canton. The 71-33 decision began with a 26-2 opening Spring Grove salvo on the way to a 45-21 halftime count. Jaxon Strinmoen scored 16 points before halftime on the way to his 18-point, 10-rebound double along with 4 steals, 2 blocked shots and 5 assists … [Read more...]
Season ends for Spring Grove girls with section loss at Kingsland
The 2023 basketball season ended for the Spring Grove girls with a third loss to Kingsland, 64-49, in the Section 1A opener for both teams on Feb. 23 at Spring Valley. With the No. 5 seed, the Knights (21-6) prevailed again over the No. 12 Lions (12-15), but this rematch followed a far different script. During the two regular-season contests, Kingsland had things well under … [Read more...]
Lion boys sweep state-ranked series with Lyle/Pacelli
The regular season closed with a state-ranked conference rematch as Class A No. 7 Spring Grove completed a sweep of visiting No. 9 Lyle/Pacelli, 53-38. In front of a huge crowd, some having to stand throughout, the Lions wrapped up their second-ever 25-win regular season and their 11th undefeated Southeast Conference campaign in the last 19 years while extending their … [Read more...]
Lion boys coast past ‘Canes again, 77-36
The Spring Grove boys poured in a season-high dozen 3-point field goals during a 77-36 rout at Houston. The Lions (24-1, 19-0 SEC) enjoyed hot 52% shooting on the road the next game after their worst shooting night of the season on their home floor (29%). Tysen Grinde scored his 1,000th career point, joining both older brothers in marking that milestone (Chase 2,336; Caden … [Read more...]
Spring Grove boys get past Mabel-Canton, 49-34
It was a “grinder” with both teams struggling to get the ball into the basket. The No. 8 state-ranked Spring Grove boys claimed a 27th consecutive win over next-door neighbor Mabel-Canton, 49-34, on Feb. 20, but there was little similarity to the Lions’ 49-point road rout (85-36) in mid-January. The Grove guys improved to 23-1 (18-0 SEC) while the Cougars left at 10-15 (7-12 … [Read more...]
Hot Shots
Caledonia’s girls ran their win streak to nine with wins over R-P (63-38) and Cannon Falls (69-28). The #14 Warriors (14-0, 22-3) completed a sweep of the TRC. They are 1AA’s 3-seed, will host the 14-seed Bombers (8-18) in the 1AA Round of 16. Kara Goetzinger scored 31 points, but Chatfield fell to St. Charles 64-62. The Gophers (10-5, 17-9) are 1AA’s 7-seed, will host 10-seed … [Read more...]
Girls Basketball: #9 Larks Run Streak to 15, Get Help to Win SEC-West
Grand Meadow’s girls entered the final week of the regular season controlling their own destiny to share the SEC-West title. They had the win two winnable SEC contests (and hope for some help to win the West out-right). A non-conference game was their toughie. At Blooming Prairie, Ryan Queensland’s group built a 45-33 lead late. GM was up 10 (45-35) with 1:28 left and eight … [Read more...]
Boys Basketball: Burros Slip Past Falcons in Wild(er) Game
Boys basketball games between Fillmore Central and Lanesboro are typically asterisked on the schedule. This year’s incarnation saw both the Falcons (6-6, 14-8) and Burros (13-5, 16-7) enter in the same upper mid-level Section 1A “tier.” A game with seeding implications was a wild offensive show, highlighted by a Wilder’s shooting. FC led 24-18 in the first half when the Burros … [Read more...]
Boys Basketball: Bunke’s Three Propels R-P Over Cal in OT
Rushford-Peterson and Caledonia have had a rivalry over the years in boys basketball. The Warriors have won more often as of late, but R-P (5-4, 11-10) has given Caledonia (9-1, 10-10) trouble here and there. The Warriors win over R-P in December, 73-50, was their eighth straight in the series. Hello trouble in meeting number two. Brad King’s group led by as many as 10 (36-26) … [Read more...]
Wrestling: #2 Warriors Top #4 D-E, #3 Chatfield to Make State
It is a gauntlet. Three of the top four ranked teams in Class A in wrestling all resided in section 1A, #2 Caledonia /Houston, #3 Chatfield, and #4 Dover-Eyota. Cal/Hou’s 1A tourney run wasn’t without its tense moments (Chatfield in the finals). The Warriors endured and are heading to state for the first time since 2016. After downing Triton 64-12 in the quarters (See … [Read more...]