Girls Basketball: Lanesboro, Houston, and R-P Take Aim at SG/M-C
It was a week of notable games surrounding Spring Grove/Mabel-Canton’s girls. The Lions played at Lanesboro in a key SEC battle, then renewed rivalries with Houston and Rushford-Peterson, all solid teams.
Lions Avenge Earlier Loss to Burros
In a showdown between two of the three SEC leaders, SG/M-C earned a season split with a 62-52 road win at Lanesboro. After three minutes, the Burros led 11-0, and it took 13 minutes for the Lions to catch up and take a 34-29 halftime lead. SG/MC scored the first seven points after the break (41-29), and Lanesboro would not catch up, drawing as close as four at 50-46. But the Lions then went 8-0 to lead 58-46. The Burros attempted more shots beyond the 3-point arc than closer in but shot only 22% (8 for 36) from distance. The Lions shot well from the perimeter (6 of 19 > 32%) while also outscoring their hosts, 20-0, in fast breaks during a 10-point win. SG/M-C also had 20 second-chance-points to Lanesboro’s three from a 19 to 14 offensive-rebound edge. For the Lions, there were double doubles from Kinley Soiney (22 pts, 10 rebs) and Brinley Middendorf (10 points, 11 rebs). Siri Konkel (12 pts, 7 asts) helped as did Izabel Kaufmann (7 pts, 9 rebs) and Kylie Hammel (7 pts, 8 rebs). Despite being often double-teamed, Burro guard Jensyn Storhoff had 20 points (7-14 FGs, 4-9 threes) plus 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Emma Root (8 pts, 10 rebs) was also a factor along with Elianna Cassmann (11 pts, 3-10 threes). SG/MC improved to 9-1 in the SEC, 14-3 overall. Lanesboro also lost to Southland 58-45 and PEM 50-47 (See “SEC” and “Non-Conference Girls Basketball” for more). They (7-3, 12-9) are tied for third in the SEC with Houston (7-3, 9-11).
Houston Notches Its Best Win, Takes Down Lions
Three nights after a league-leading showdown win, SG/M-C was ousted from first by rival, fourth-place Houston, 53-49. The Lions had four fewer turnovers and 15 more offensive rebounds while attempting 20 more shots. But Houston outshot cold-shooting SG/MC, 39% to 24%. The Lions struggled against the Houston zone and attempted more than twice as many three-point shots as did the ‘Canes. Conversely, Houston was able to take the ball inside where Jorja Meyer prospered (13 pts, 13 rebs). Guard Avery Kingsley scored a game-high 20 points (6-11 FGs, 3-4 threes, 5-6 FTs), while quick-off-the-dribble Aubry Boldt added 18 (4-6 FTs). That trio scored 51 of the ‘Canes’ 53 points. For the Lions, double doubles came from Kylie Hammel (15 pts, 13 rebs) and Kinley Soiney (11 pts, 14 rebs). The later topped Molly Horihan (1,020) for M-C’s all-time rebounding record. Help came from Siri Konkel (7 pts, 6 rebs) and Brinley Middendorf (8 pts, 4 rebs). After four lead changes, Houston led 28-20 at halftime and later by as many as 11. The Lions regained the lead but only for 19 seconds. The last of 11 tie scores came at 49-all with only 57-seconds to play. Eight seconds later, Boldt dribbled through full-court defense for a lay-up and a 51-49 lead. Boldt added the last two points with free throws with 13 seconds remaining. The Lions won the first meeting 56-39 (with Kingsley out). Houston (7-3 in the SEC, 9-11 overall) also lost to L-A 70-56 and beat GM 60-43 (See “SEC” and “Non-Conference Girls Basketball” for more).
Trojans Rally Past Lions
In a non-conference, non-section, rivalry game, SG/M-C won the first half by 10 points, but Rushford-Peterson took the second half by 22 to win 67-55. Both teams shot a good 33% from 3-point land, but R-P connected with 52% of its two-point shots, a season-best accuracy for a Lion opponent. The Trojans outscored the visitors, 39-24, in the lane with a scoring advantage in fast breaks and dribble drives. With the Trojans missing their first 10 shots from the field, the Lions enjoyed a 16-point advantage before R-P closed within 10 at halftime (31-21). After shooting only 23% the first half (21 points), the Trojans were ablaze at 63% during the second half (46 points), scoring on 20 of their 30 possessions, including all six of their three-point buckets. During a 10-minute, 21-2 Trojan run, the Lions went 1 for 14 from the field with six turnovers. R-P also hit 17 of 20 free throws (85%), SGMC 4 of 4 (100%). Trojan center Kaia Loney had a double-double (17 pts, 7-11 FGs, 11 rebs). There were 14 points and 5 assists each from guards Nadia Happel and Torryn Schneider (8 stls) with help from Alannah Skalet (10 pts, 4 asts) and Emily Helgemoe (9 pts). For the Lions, Kylie Hammel had double-double (11 pts, game-high 13 rebs). Kinley Soiney put in a game-high 20 points (4-11 threes). Assistance came from Brinley Middendorf (8 pts, 8 rebs) and Siri Konkel (7 pts, 6 asts). R-P (6-4 in the TRC, 13-7 overall) also lost to Cotter/HL 65-62 while beating GM 74-35 (See “TRC” and “Non-Conference Girls Basketball” for more). SG/M-C (9-2, 14-5) trails Southland (8-1, 16-2) atop the SEC. Lanesboro (7-3, 12-9) and Houston (7-3, 9-11) are tied for third place.
Girls Basketball: FC Wins Three, Run Streak to Five in Row
Fillmore Central girls basketball took care of three below-five-hundred teams to continue a win streak. At Kingsland (4-14), the Falcons led 41-10 at halftime in a 60-28 win. Hannah Vaalemoen (18 pts, 3-9 threes, 4 asts, 6 stls), Sophia Bronner (13 pts, 6-8 FGs, 8 rebs), and Kyla Hellickson (11 pts, 7 rebs) hit double figures. Aubrey Daniels added 9 (pts), 7 (asts), and 6 (stls). Hailee Warren (7 pts, 7 rebs) paced the Knights. At La Crescent/Hokah (8-14), up 33-32 in the second half, FC ended on a 13-4 run to post a 46-36 win. FC hit 24 of 41 free throws (58%) to LC/H’s 3 of 12 (25%). Vaalemoen (12 pts, 7-10 FTs, 5 rebs), Bronner (7 pts, 16 rebs), Cora Britton (7 pts, 5 rebs), and Norah Nagel (7 pts, 4 stls) did work in the low-scoring game. Levi Olstad’s group, sans Bronner (knee), then downed LeRoy-Ostrander (0-17) at home 68-42. Kyla Hellickson (17 pts, 3-6 threes, 8 rebs), Vaalemoen (14 pts, 5-6 FTs, 7 rebs, 5 stls), Aubrey Daniels (11 pts, 3-11 threes, 7 asts, 7 stls) and Britton (10 pts, 9 rebs) hit double figures. L-O was led by Maria Almaraz-Nolt’s double-double (23 pts, 16 rebs) and Miranda Nagel (15 pts, 9 rebs). FC (6-5 in the TRC, 13-6 overall) has won five in a row. They are the fourth highest QRF team in Section 1A.
Three Rivers Conference Girls Basketball (1/27)
Cotter/Hope Lutheran 65, Rushford-Peterson 62 (R-P: Kaia Loney 19 pts (9-14 FGs), 9 rebs; Torryn Schneider 12 pts, 4 asts; Alannah Skalet 11 pts (3-4 threes); Emily Helgemoe 9 pts; Nadia Happel 7 pts, 6 asts. R-P shot 21 of 45 (47%) and the Ramblers 26 of 52 (55%). R-P was 14 of 15 at the free throw line (93%), Cotter 8 of 14 (57%). The Ramblers won the glass 32 to 21 including 14 offensive rebounds for 16 second-chance points. With it 62-62, Rambler Camrie Macal authored the game-winning basket with 4.2 seconds left. R-P then had a turnover. The Trojans had a five-game win streak snapped.)
St. Charles 49, Chatfield 66 (C: G. Schroeder 24 pts (4-14 threes); Amaya Harmening 15 pts (5-7 FTs), 15 rebs; L. Kivimagi 9 pts, 6 asts. The Gophers had 10 threes in 29 attempts (38%), SC 3 in 23 attempts (13%). Chatfield’s lead was 45-44 midway through the second half. The Saints scored just five points from there. The Gophers ended a six-game skid)
Southeast Conference Girls Basketball (1/27 & 1/30)
Lanesboro 45, Southland 58 (L: J. Storhoff 31 pts (5-10 threes); Hailey Erickson 7 pts, 6 rebs. Lanesboro never led, falling behind 34-23 at the half. Storhoff was 11 of 23 from the field (48%), the rest of the team 6 of 37 (16%). With losses to SG/M-C and Southland back-to-back, the Burros (7-3, 12-8) fall back in the SEC chase behind the Lions (9-1, 14-3) and Rebels (8-1, 14-2))
Houston 60, Grand Meadow 43 (H: A. Boldt 21 pts (9-14 FGs), 4 stls; J. Meyer 19 pts, 16 rebs; A. Kingsley 13 pts (3-9 threes). GM: G. Foster 15 pts (5-5 FTs), 4 asts; N. Warmka 9 pts, 7 rebs, 6 asts; Paisley Kolling 7 pts, 9 rebs. GM is 1-8, 2-18.)
Non-Conference Girls Basketball (1/26 – 1/30)
Lewiston-Altura 70, Houston 56 (H: A. Kingsley 18 pts; A. Boldt 15 pts. Cardinals Rinlee Bergan (29) and Maycie Mierau (21) combined for 50 of L-A’s 70 points. The Cardinals won at the line 13 of 20 (65%) to 5 of 9 (56%))
#10 in AA Caledonia 55, #5 in AA Red Wing 57 (C: A. Klug 16 pts (three threes); Kensey King 12 pts; N. Banse 10 pts; J. Stendel 10 pts. The Warriors had an eight-game winning streak snapped. It was Caledonia’s third loss to a AA ranked school.)
Wabasha-Kellogg 53, Grand Meadow 46 (GM: G. Foster 26 pts (12-13 FTs, 4-14 threes), 7 rebs, 7 stls; N. Warmka 11 pts, 9 rebs. After GM led 17-15 at the half, the teams combined for 67 second half points. GM led 41-40 late, but W-K then had a 9-0 run to lead 49-41. Lark senior guard Foster scored her 1,000th career point)
Grand Meadow 33, Randolph/Cannon Falls 69 (GM: G. Foster 14 pts (11-14 FTs); N. Warmka 8 pts, 5 rebs)
LeRoy-Ostrander 43, #8 in A Hayfield/Schaeffer Academy 81 (L-O: Kendall Olson 13 pts (3-6 threes); Maria Almaraz-Nolt 10 pts, 5 rebs; Miranda Nagel 8 pts)
Decorah 50, #10 in AA Caledonia 80 (C: A. Klug 37 pts (six threes); N. Banse 12 pts; Ashlyn Reinhart 10 pts; K. King 8 pts. The game was tied 24-24 in the first half before the Warriors ended the stanza 19-4 for a 43-28 halftime lead.)
Rushford-Peterson 74, Grand Meadow 35 (R-P: K. Loney 15 pts (7-9 FGs); N. Happel 14 pts, 4 asts; Emily Helgemoe 14 pts (4-7 threes); A. Skalet 9 pts; T. Schneider 8 pts, 8 asts. GM: N. Warmka 15 pts, 10 rebs; G. Foster 10 pts)
Kingsland 44, Chatfield 74 (C: G. Schroeder 29 pts (5-18 threes), 6 stls; A. Harmening 10 pts, 12 rebs, 4 asts. K: Hailee Warren 16 pts, 7 rebs; Lydia Redman 8 pts. The Gophers hit 11 of 41 threes (27%), Kingsland 3 of 18 (17%). Twelve Gophers scored. Schroeder authored her third straight 24-point-plus game. The Knights are 2-7 in the SEC, 4-16 overall)
Chatfield 55, Southland 61 (C: L. Kivimagi 20 pts (5-16 threes), 4 asts; A. Harmening 12 pts, 10 rebs, 4 asts. Chatfield led 27-25 at the half at it was tied with about 1:30 left. The Gophers are 3-8 in the TRC, 6-15 overall. The Rebels improved to 16-2.)
Lanesboro 47, PEM 50 (L: J. Storhoff 21 pts (4-12 threes), 11 rebs, 8 asts, 4 stls; H. Erickson 7 pts, 6 rebs. The Burros led 34-27 in the second half, and later 44-41. PEM ended on a 9-3 run over the last 3:33. An Emma Root lay-up tied the game 46-46 (1:26). PEM then scored the next two baskets, going ahead 50-46 (0:19). Storhoff surpassed 2,000 career points.)
Goodhue 91, #10 in AA Caledonia 82 (C: A. Klug 25 pts (5-15 threes), 5 rebs; N. Banse 23 pts (3-5 threes), 6 asts, 6 stls; J. Stendel 21 pts (10-12 FGs), 11 rebs; K. King 9 pts, 9 rebs, 4 asts. Caledonia led 41-28 at the half and 44-28 early in the second half but the Wildcats made the comeback by hitting 30 of 34 free throws (88%) to the Warriors 10 of 20 (50%). Goodhue was 23 of 26 at the line in the second half (88%). They scored 20 of their final 30 points at the free throw line. Goodhue is 16-6.)
LeRoy-Ostrander 56, Riceville 37 (L-O: M. Almaraz-Nolt 24 pts (7-10 FTs), 8 rebs; M. Nagel 20 pts (9-15 FGs); The Cardinals (0-10, 1-18) picked up their first win)
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