The basketball season is just beginning. A lot can happen yet. Nevertheless, the last two county girls teams left standing a year ago made early statements to start 2016-2017. Rushford-Peterson opened 3-0, beating Cotter (63-56), Lanesboro (50-34), and Fillmore Central (47-29). Brianna Koop ushered in her senior year loudly (29 pts, 14-18 FTs, career-high 22 rebs, 6 assists) versus the Ramblers, with an assist from Savannah Skalet (10 pts, 5 rebs). Koop had another big double-double (15 pts, 15 rebs) versus the Burros. Mikayla Crawford’s career-best-tying effort (16 pts, 8 stls) led the way. Skalet (9 pts, 4 assists, 7 stls) helped out. Cassidy Ruud (12 pts) and Haley Polin (6 pts, 7 rebs, 3 assists, 3 stls) paced the Burros. Koop (16 pts, 8 rebs), Crawford (15 pts, 4 rebs, 4 assists), and Skalet (8 pts, 7 rebs, 3 assists) then subdued the Falcons. R-P held FC to 2-20 FGs in the second half. Tayah Barnes (9 pts, 6 rebs) and Kendyl Bennett (8 pts, 6 rebs) paced FC. R-P is 2-0, 3-0. FC is 0-2.
Meanwhile, Kingsland avenged two losses last year by beating Grand Meadow (59-39) and St. Charles (62-57) Courtney Schmidt and Kellyn Webster had three three’s each in a 37-22 first half versus the Larks. Schmidt (16 pts, 3-4 three’s, 4 stls), Gracie Schmidt (11 pts, 7-8 FTs), and Webster (9 pts, 3-5 three’s) led the way. Point guard Alayna Meskill (5 pts, 8 rebs) controlled the double-K offense. Versus the Saints, the Knights went from up 44-26 to tied 49-49 to winners all in the second half. C-Schmidt (16 pts, 8-13 FG’s), Lauren Buchholtz (12 pts, 6 rebs), Kailey Link (10 pts, 5 rebs), and Webster (9 pts on 3-4 three’s) did work. Kingsland is 1-0, 2-0.