Larks Run Streak to Six With Overtime Win
They are currently on the longest win streak of the 21 basketball teams covered by the Fillmore County Journal. But to get there, there was a comeback win, and then nearly a collapse in a tense overtime game, both contests at Hayfield’s holiday tourney. Grand Meadow’s girls took on Kenyon-Wanamingo and the host Vikings at said event. In both games, GM was super strong on the glass, aiding the victories. Versus the Knights, GM trailed 28-21 at halftime, but rallied by out-scoring K-W 42-20 after intermission including going on a 19-0 run midway through the half. The spurt put GM up 40-30, erasing a 30-21 deficit. The Larks posted a 63-48 win. GM had 19 offensive rebounds for 13 second-chance-points, K-W five for zero. Ryan Queensland’s Larks won the boards 48 to 29 total, won at the free throw line 16 of 24 (67%) to 8 of 12 (67%). The All-SEC duo of Gracie Foster (20 pts, 6-15 threes, 9 rebs, 4 asts) and Lauren Queensland (19 pts, 5-7 FTs, 9 rebs, 5 asts) led the way. Aspen Kolling (12 pts, 6 rebs) and Naomi Warmka (7 pts, 9 rebs) helped. Versus a solid, shared Hayfield/Schaeffer Academy team, the Larks controlled most of the game. They trailed just twice. The lead was 48-36 with 8:13 to go when Hay/SA scored 15 unanswered points to go ahead 51-48 with about 1:30 left. GM had five turnovers versus Hay/SA’s press while going 0-for-9 field goals. Queensland drilled a mammoth (needed) three to tie the game at 51-51 with 1:12 left. Each team then missed a three and the Vikings passed out the final 0:30 seconds or so without getting a shot off. The game went to overtime tied 51-51. There, Rylee Schaufler scored back-to-back buckets and Queensland hit two big free throws with 1:53 left to make it 57-53 GM. Hay/SA responded with a three-point possession, but they missed two free throws in the sequence (including the game-tying and-one attempt). Trailing 57-56, the Vikings last shot at a win in the finals seconds was a deep Jenna Christopherson three. But she was 1 of 12 from deep, and the make was not this one. The miss gave the Superlarks the 57-56 win, their sixth in a row. Queensland (21 pts, 8-9 FTs, 11 rebs, 6 asts) again led the charge. But the Larks entire starting five contributed, which they had to. Only six girls saw the court. Warmka (9 pts, 16 rebs) was huge collecting rebounds. A-Kolling (10 pts, 5 rebs), Foster (8 pts, 7 rebs), and Schaufler (7 pts, 11 rebs, 4 asts) helped. The Larks out-rebound Hay/SA 56 to 26. GM had 18 offensive rebounds to the Vikes five, but won second-chance-points just eight to three. Each team shot a lot from deep, but not well, GM 6 of 27 (22%), H/SA 7 of 37 (19%). Each team made 21 shots. H/SA had just three turnovers to GM’s 15. GM went 9 of 11 (82%) at the line, H/SA 7 of 12 (58%). The Larks (4-1, 7-1) are in second place in the SEC behind Spring Grove (2-0, 5-2). The Lions also beat Hayfield/Schaeffer narrowly too, 55-53.
Warriors Teams Each Erase Halftime Deficits at West Salem
In a set of holiday games, Caledonia’s girls trailed by five at halftime and the boys were down six before each rallied for wins versus good West Salem teams. Scott Sorenson’s girls trailed by double digits in the first half and 29-24 at intermission. Down 50-47 in the final 3:30, Aubrie Klug scored five straight points, the last a three (1:40) giving the Warriors a 52-51 lead. Four of West Salem’s last five possessions ended in turnover, including their last in the final 10 seconds trailing 53-51. The Class AA #6 Warriors avoided a three-game losing streak by downing the Panthers 55-51. Josie Foster (17 pts), Klug (14 pts), and Nicole Banse (11 pts) hit double figures. West Salem has a 9-2 record. The Warriors were coming off losses to ranked teams Waverly-Shell Rock and La Crosse-Aquinas, the later a day earlier in West Salem (See “Non-Conference Girls Basketball” for more). Caledonia (5-0, 9-2) still leads the TRC-East over Cotter (4-1, 6-4). The boys, meanwhile, played a competitive, foul-laden game. They were down 37-31 to West Salem at halftime. Trailing 62-60 with under 5:00, Caledonia finished the game on a 17-5 run for the 77-67 win. Garrett Konz (27 pts, 7 rebs) and Reid Klug (22 pts) did big work much of it at the free throw line where the Warriors hit 25 of 43 (58%) to the Panthers’ 12 of 21 (57%). Ethan Stendel (10 pts, 6 rebs), Mason King (9 pts), and Grant King (7 pts, 9 rebs) helped. It was Caledonia’s fifth straight win. Non-scoring stats for this game were incomplete (missing the final 1:00). Kyle Hehli scored 26 points to lead the Panthers, which fell to 5-2 on the year. Class AA #2 Caledonia (4-0, 7-1) leads the TRC-East over Class A #7 R-P (3-1, 7-1).
Non-Conference Girls Basketball (12/26 – 12/28)
Winona-Senior 49, Chatfield 67 (C: K. Knutson 21 pts (9-12 FGs), 7 rebs, 4 asts, 4 stls; Amaya Harmening 16 pts (7-12 FGs), 7 rebs; Kylin Schroeder 10 pts (5-8 FGs); Lexi Kivimagi 7 pts, 5 rebs, 5 asts; Britt Ruskell 6 pts, 4 asts. Chatfield shot 47% (28 of 60) from the field against the winless Winhawks (0-9). Lewiston Auto Holiday Classic game at Winona State)
Lanesboro 30, Baldwin-Woodville 56 (L: Jensyn Storhoff 19 pts (5-7 threes), 6 rebs)
#6 in AA Caledonia 50, #8 in D-IIII La Crosse-Aquinas 57 (C: N. Banse 21 pts (4-10 threes), 5 stls; Josie Foster 10 pts, 15 rebs; Aubrie Klug 9 pts. The Warriors dropped their second straight game to an out-of-state ranked team. West Salem holiday tourney game)
#6 in D-III Prairie du Chein 75, Chatfield 50 (C: A. Harmening 9 pts; Grace Schroeder 9 pts, 5 stls; Mya Henry 8 pts. Tannah Radloff scored 28 points to lead PDC. Lewiston Auto Holiday Classic game at Winona State. Gophers > 3-3, 5-5)
Spring Grove 44, Zumbrota-Mazeppa 50 (SG: Kinley Soiney 17 pts, 5 rebs; Kylie Hammel 12 pts, 11 rebs; Emerson Ingvalson 7 pts, 5 asts. A Cougar 11-2 run put them up by 13 at halftime. The Lions got back within one in second half but could not catch up. Z-M hit 11 treys (38%), SG only three (17%))
Baldwin-Woodville 52, Fillmore Central 34 (FC: Aubrey Daniels 9 pts; Kyla Hellickson 8 pts. Falcons > 1-4, 4-5)
Spring Grove 77, Kenyon-Wanamingo 53 (SG: K. Hammel 10 pts, 10 rebs; Izabel Kaufmann 13 pts, 4 rebs; K. Soiney 11 pts, 6 rebs, 4 asts, 6 stls; Siri Konkel 11 pts, 6 asts, 3 stls; Emerson Ingvalson 9 pts, 7 rebs, 6 asts, 5 stls; Carlie Halverson 11 pts; Brinley Middendorf 4 pts, 9 rebs. The Lion defense shut out K-W for the first eight minutes, as SG led 21-0. The game featured 46 fouls and 56 free throws. The Lions (2-0, 5-2) lead the SEC over GM (4-1, 7-1), Southland (3-2, 6-3), and Houston (3-2, 5-3))
Houston 46, Eleva-Strum 50 (H: Aubry Boldt 14 pts, 9 rebs; Avery Kingsley 13 pts (3-9 threes), 9 rebs; Jorja Meyer 5 pts, 7 rebs. Boldt and Kingsley were a combined 10 of 38 from the field (26%). Special holiday girls/boys doubleheader at Target Center. Houston (3-2, 5-3) and Southland (3-2, 6-3) are behind SG (2-0, 5-2) and GM (4-1, 7-1) in the SEC top-four standings)
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