Knights and Falcons Move on to Square Off
Maybe a highlight of the 1A girls b-ball quarterfinals will be a match-up of Fillmore Central (7-seed, 11-15) and Kingsland (2-seed, 17-8). The second-seeded defending section runner-up Knights made Rochester by taking care of Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons (15-seed, 7-19) in the Round of 16. Steve Hauser’s group put up season-high point-total in smacking the “other” Knights 83-41. Thirteen different Kingsland players scored, led by Anika Reiland’s near triple-double (15 pts, 7-11 FGs, 12 rebs, 9 asts). Audrey Webster (14 pts, 6-11 FGs, 4 asts) and Emily Miner (12 pts, 9 rebs) also hit double figures. Kennedy Fenske added 9 points (3-3 FGs). Kingsland hit 35 of 63 shots (48%). They had 58 rebounds including 21 offensive (ACGE 30/9). Meanwhile, Fillmore Central played a closer game with Randolph (10-seed, 9-17), but the Falcons never trailed in posting a 65-58 win. Jersey Ristau (17 pts, 6 stls) led the cause. Alyssa Britton (13 pts) and Lauren Mensink (11 pts, 9 rebs) also made double figures. Kammry Broadwater (8 pts, 4-6 FGs, 8 rebs, 4 asts, 4 stls) did a bit of everything. Madison Simon and Regan Hanson chipped in 9 and 7 points. FC was plus-six at the free throw line; 15 of 25 (60%) to the Rockets 9 of 19 (47%). Levi Olstad’s group also piled up 16 offensive rebounds to the Rockets six. FC (22 of 68 > 32%) thus took a lot more shots than the Rockets (23 of 44 > 52%), making a lower percentage. And thus, Kingsland (2-seed, 18-8) will play the FC (7-seed, 12-15) for a spot in the 1A semis. The Falcons beat the Knights 45-31 on December 30.
Photo by Emma Geiwitz
Larks and Trojans Set to Meet
Grand Meadow and Rushford-Peterson will meet in the 1A quarters, another re-match from the regular season. Ryan Queensland’s Larks (3-seed, 20-6) had no problem with Lyle/Pacelli (14-seed, 6-21) in the Round of 16. GM posted a 62-23 win. Freshman Lauren Queensland had a double-double (15 pts, 12 rebs) to lead the way. McKenna Hendrickson (12 pts, 3-7 threes) and River Landers (10 pts, 6 rebs) each hit double figures. Lexy Foster (8 pts) and Kendyl Queensland (8 pts, 4 asts) made a team effort. The Larks hit 10 of 22 threes (46%) to L/P’s 3 of 15 (20%). They also were plus-eight at the free throw line; 10 of 15 freebies (67%) to the Athletics’ 2 of 3 (67%). GM beat L/P in the regular season 57-25 and 58-30. It was the 17th game GM held a foe under 40 (17-0). Rushford-Peterson (6-seed, 11-15) had things much tougher in their Round of 16 game versus Spring Grove (13-seed, 10-16). The Lions led 30-22 at halftime (R-P was up 37-10 at intermission in the teams’ holiday meeting). SG then led by as many as 11 (35-24) early in the second half only for a 12-0 Trojan run and a brief 36-35 lead (7:03). But SG scored on a press break near immediately and led until very late. After 12 turnovers the first 31 minutes, SG had 11 their final 13 possessions, in the final five minutes. They had four TO’s in the final minute. R-P converted two “press” steals into two layups; the first by Ellie Ekern to get within one at 41-40 (0:57), the second by Tayler Helgemoe to pull ahead 42-41 (0:29). Ekern then hit two free throws with 0:10 for the final score, as R-P prevailed 44-41. The Trojans pressed full court for much of the second half. SG handled it well until late. Kaylee Ruberg (16 pts, 17 rebs, 6 stls) was the only Trojan in double figures. Emarie Jacobson (8 pts, 6-8 FTs, 12 rebs) helped. Jordian Leahy (17 pts, 4-6 FTs) and Katelyn Kraus (11 pts, 8 rebs, 5 blks) led the Lions. Each team struggled from deep; R-P 4 of 28 (14%), SG 2 of 12 (17%). R-P was plus-five at the free throw line; 10 of 14 (71%) to 5 of 7 (71%). The Trojans won in December 61-19. SG’s season ends at 10-17. It will be the Trojans (6-seed, 12-15) versus the Larks (3-seed, 21-6) for another spot in the 1A semis. GM beat R-P 55-35 in January. It will be R-P’s first girl’s play-off game in Rochester since 2017 (the Koop/Crawford/Skalet group were seniors).
Warriors and Gophers to Take Shots at Top Seeds
In Class AA, Caledonia and Chatfield didn’t have much problem with their Round of 16 games. Each advanced to take on much tougher tasks. The Warriors (7-seed, 16-10) downed Blooming Prairie (10-seed, 15-10). The Blossoms led 8-5 early, but Scott Sorenson’s group ended the first half scoring 26 of the final 29 points for a 31-11 lead at intermission. BP was 1 of 14 field goals with 10 turnovers in the span. Caledonia had 16 first half offensive rebounds, which yielded 16 second-chance-points. The Warriors pressure defense triggered 29 total turnovers, as team Cal posted a 63-33 victory. Ava Privet (13 pts, 3-13 threes, 5 rebs, 4 asts, 4 stls) and Alexis Schroeder (11 pts) made double figures. Elly Milde (4-6 FGs) and Paige Klug each contributed 8 points. Nine Warriors scored and eight had at least four. Cal hit more threes, but neither team shot well from deep; Cal 8 of 33 (24%), BP 2 of 11 (18%). Bobbie Bruns, a 1,000-point scorer, was the only Blossom in double figures (12 points). In Chatfield, the Gophers (8-seed, 18-8) controlled La Crescent (9-seed, 13-11). Brian Baum’s group built a 29-19 halftime lead and prevailed 61-44. Zayda Priebe (14 pts, 17 rebs) had big double-double to lead the way. Jaiden Zimmerman (13 pts, 3-5 threes), Kara Goetzinger (11 pts), Peyton Berg (10 pts, 8 rebs), and Anna Kivimagi (10 pts, 3-3 FGs, 4-5 FTs, 6 rebs, 8 asts) gave the Gophers five in double figures. Cali Esser had 26 points to lead all scorers. The Gophers were efficient from deep (6 of 13 > 46%) and plus-six at the free throw line (9 of 15 to LCH’s 3 of 4). Chatfield won the regular season meeting 51-47. And thus Caledonia (7-seed, 17-10) will play Rochester-Lourdes (2-seed, 18-7). The Eagles defeated the Warriors 65-33 in December. Chatfield (8-seed, 19-8) will take on Goodhue (1-seed, 24-3). The Wildcats beat the Gophers 67-28 in December.
Burros and Hurricanes Advance in “Viking” Bracket
Both Houston and Lanesboro girls basketball teams advanced to Rochester. Each is on the side of the bracket where top-seeded and 1A favorite Hayfield (28-0) resides. Dale Moga’s Hurricanes (8-seed, 15-11) will get up close and personal with the Vikings after beating Faribault B.A. (9-seed, 11-13) in the Round of 16. The Cardinals led 36-32 at intermission but were held to just 14 second half points. Team double-H out-scored B.A. 30-14 in the second to post a 62-50 win. Sydney Torgerson (22 pts, 9-15 FGs, 4-5 FTs, 15 rebs, 5 stls) led the way. She had seven offensive rebounds. Lilly Carr (15 pts, 8 rebs) and Ashtyn Meyer (10 pts, 7 rebs) also made double figures. Houston was plus-eight at the free throw line; 15 of 24 (62%) to B.A.’s 7 of 12 (58%). Mercedes Huerta had 26 points to lead all scorers. Houston (8-seed, 16-11) will take on Hayfield (1-seed, 28-0) for a second time. The Vikings won 59-28 in December. Meanwhile, Lanesboro (4-seed, 17-8) handled Mabel-Canton (13-seed, 8-18) for a third time this year in another Round of 16 game. The Burros led by eight at halftime (26-18) and the edge stayed at least that high with the final being 52-37. Kaci Ruen had 22 points and 26 rebounds! The 6’0” junior had 13 offensive and defensive boards. Jessie Schreiber chipped in 10 (pts) and 6 (rebs). MaKenzie Kelly (13 pts, 5-6 FTs) was the sole Cougar in double figures. Kinley Soiney added 9 (pts) and 8 (rebs). The taller Burros made hay with 25 offensive rebounds for 23 second-chance-points. Lanesboro won regular season meetings 48-22 and 55-33. The Burros (4-seed 18-8) will play Kenyon-Wanamingo (5-seed, 12-13) in a 1A quarterfinal. It will be their first girl’s b-ball play-off at Mayo Civic Center in the Journal era. M-C’s season concluded at 8-19.
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