They are playing good basketball. Rushford-Peterson’s girls are playing defense, moving the ball around, and taking good shots. Their efforts led to a four-win week that ran their win streak to five. Coming off taking down then ranked and then TRC undefeated, Class AA Dover-Eyota, Joe Hatch’s squad beat Lewiston-Altura 74-31. Ellie Ekern (14 pts, 4-7 threes, 5 rebs, 5 asts), Nadia Happel (11 pts), and Cassandra Boyum (10 pts, 5 rebs) got to double figures. Torryn Schneider and Kaia Loney each added 8 points. It was R-P’s tenth win. The Trojans (10-5) then handled Lanesboro (9-6) with room to spare, 60-23. R-P’s defense triggered 37 turnovers. Nadia H. (16 pts, 6 rebs) and Boyum (12 pts) hit double figures. Seniors Tayler Helgemoe (6 pts, 12 rebs, 4 stls) and Ekern (6 pts, 4 rebs, 5 stls) helped. Lanesboro was led by Jensyn Storhoff (14 pts, 6 stls). Next to fall was St. Charles, 62-25. The Saints had 42 turnovers. Ekern (22 pts, 4-9 threes, 4-4 FTs, 5 stls) led the way. Nevaeh Happel (8 pts, 5 rebs, 5 stls) and Schneider (6 pts, 7 rebs) helped. Ten Trojans scored. R-P hit 11 of 14 free throws (79%). Finally on Saturday, the Trojans (12-5) smashed through another solid SEC team, Kingsland (8-2). R-P had a 19-0 first half run to build a 40-15 halftime lead. Kingsland then banged home some threes to get within 12 (42-30), but R-P prevailed 66-41. Ekern (18 pts) and Nadia H. (18 pts) combined to score 31 first half points (16 and 15 each). T-Helgemoe (13 pts) also reached double figures. Kingsland was led by Ryley Guy (12 pts, four threes). Katelyn Hauser and Macy Runck each added 8 points. The Trojans are now 6-3 in the TRC, 13-5 overall. Kingsland is 5-2 in the SEC, 8-3 overall.
