The Spring Grove girls are alone atop the SEC after three home wins within four days. The first showdown featured the only teams still undefeated in SEC play. Spring Grove defeated Houston 65-44. It was close – until it was not. The Hurricanes (5-1, 8-6) led 25-20 at halftime and trailed by only three about halfway through the second half. Then Houston added only one basket and a pair of free throws the final 8:30. Taylor Elton’s Lions scored 22 of the game’s final 26 points. Kinley Soiney hit four 3-pointers and led Grove (21 pts, 10 rebs). Avery Kingsley put in 21 points (4-9 threes, 5-6 FTs) for Houston. But three Lions scored in double figures. Emerson Ingvalson (14 pts, 6 asts, 5 stls) and Siri Konkel (12 pts, 5 asts, no turnovers) joined Soiney. Emily Botcher (9 pts) and Ainsley Rice (8 pts, 5 rebs) helped for the ‘Canes. SG outshot the ‘Canes 40% to 32% and shot more often with only eight turnovers to Houston’s 19. The Lions then turned away defending West champ Grand Meadow, 51-47. Konkel scored two late baskets then assisted on a game-clinching 3-pointer by Brinley Middendorf. The Superlarks trailed by 14 points before rallying back within one with Lexy Foster’s fourth 3-ball with 75 seconds remaining. It was a critical SEC contest as the Superlarks (8-6, 4-3 SEC) fell three games behind SG in the loss column. Konkel finished with a game-high 19 points (9-14 FGs, 4 asts, one turnover). Ingvalson had nine points and Carlie Halverson eight. GM’s Foster achieved a double-double (14 pts, 12 rebs). Lauren Queensland posted 13 (pts) and 5 (asts). Rylee Schaufler chipped in eight points. The Lions were outrebounded, 31-25, and were outscored from 3-point range, 21 to 12, but had only 10 turnovers and out-shot the visitors overall, 42% to 34%. In a 62-46 win over Lanesboro, the Lions led only 44-42 in the second half until LHS turnovers helped the Lions roar away with an 18 to 2 run. Soiney led SG (16 pts, 8 rebs). Konkel netted 12 points (6-10 FGs). Izabel Kaufmann and Halverson each added eight. Both Middendorf and Kylie Hammel had career highs with 10 rebounds. Lanesboro’s Jensyn Storhoff had a game-high 17 points (7 rebs, 5 stls). Taylor Hanson added 12 points (6-8 FGs) and Ellie Howard 9 points (3-8 threes). Lanesboro had 32 turnovers, SG 15. The first place Grove girls improved to 9-0 SEC, 13-2 overall. They lead Houston (7-1, 10-7), Kingsland (5-2, 8-3), GM (6-3, 10-6), and Lanesboro (5-3, 8-9).
