Photo by Christine Vreeman
Grand Meadow girls basketball had a huge week, knocking off the other three best teams in the SEC. On Monday, #11 in A GM took down Houston (8-2, 8-9). Ryan Queensland’s group used a 14-2 run out of intermission to expand a 32-23 lead into a 46-25 edge. On the road, they prevailed 60-35, ending Houston’s four-game win streak. Lexy Foster (17 pts, 3-8 threes, 12 rebs) and Lauren Queensland (12 pts, 10 rebs, 5 asts) led the way. Kendyl Queensland (8 pts, 5 rebs), Rebecca Hoffman (8 pts, 3-3 FGs, 5 rebs), and Sydney Cotten (8 pts, 7 rebs) helped out. Avery Kingsley (13 pts) was the only ‘Cane in double figures. Sydney Torgerson, a 1,600-point scorer, was limited (4 pts, 1-6 FGs. 4 rebs). GM won on the glass 42 to 25. On Thursday, the Larks jumped on Lanesboro (10-3, 14-4) 26-11 by halftime. The lead grew to 42-17 in the second stanza. Lanesboro cut it to 47-33, but GM prevailed 54-36. L-Queensland (18 pts, 3-7 threes, 7-14 FGs, 12 rebs) and Cotten (15 pts, 4-7 FGs) led the charge. Foster chipped in 9 (pts) and 8 (rebs). Lanesboro was led by Jessie Schreiber (11 pts), Jensyn Storhoff (11 pts), and Skyler Check (8 pts). Kaci Ruen (6 pts, 3-5 FGs, 8 rebs), a 1,000-point scorer, was limited. GM hit more threes, 9 of 22 (37%) to Lanesboro’s 2 of 18 (11%). Four Larks hit at least two. GM was 9 of 25 (38%) and the Burros 3 of 20 (15%) from deep in the teams’ first meeting. The Larks then faced SEC-West leading Kingsland in a rivalry game. GM (13-1, 17-2) entered on an eight-game win streak, Kingsland (13-0, 16-4), a 10-game winning spree. They already beat Lyle/Pacelli 67-37 and Southland 46-26 earlier in the week (See “Girls Basketball”). A half-court game had seven first half ties. GM scored the final four points to lead 27-23 at halftime. They then ran 12-3 out of the second half gate to go ahead 39-26. The Larks’ good defense and patient offense made the ending anticlimactic. On the road, the Larks won 47-36. They redeemed a defeat and won their ninth in a row. Foster (17 pts, 4-4 FTs, 8 rebs) and L-Queensland (14 pts, 8-9 FTs, 6 rebs, 3 asts) led the way. Hoffman had 6 key points (3-4 FGs) in the second half. Morgan Phillips (10 pts, 4-5 FGs) was the only Knight in double figures. Ryley Guy (9 pts), Chantle Reiland (8 pts), and Anika Reiland (7 pts) helped. A more attacking Lark squad went 12 of 13 (92%) at the line to Kingsland’s 1 of 3 (33%). Kingsland was 5 of 20 from deep (25%), GM 3 of 14 (21%). Team Super has now held 15 foes under 40 points (15-0). Kingsland entered having held 10 straight foes to 40 or under (10-0). GM (14-1, 18-2) and Kingsland (13-1, 16-5) sit atop the SEC-West. Kingsland still has key games versus Lanesboro and Houston.