Photo by Dawn Hauge
Rushford-Peterson’s girls concluded an excellent season with their furthest post-season push since 2014-2015. Joe Hatch’s #20 in A Trojans (3-seed, 20-7) first played Grand Meadow (6-seed, 19-8) in a 1A quarterfinal. The Trojans scored 15 of the first 17 points for a 15-2 lead. GM responded with a 10-2 run to close to 17-12. The Trojans then ended the half scoring 17 of 19 points for a 34-14 lead at intermission. R-P’s edge then stayed at least nine the rest of the way, as they prevailed 57-38. Nadia Happel (19 pts, 9-16 FGs) and Torryn Schneider (17 pts, 6-11 FGs, 4-7 threes) led the way. The Trojan defense held Lexy Foster (11 pts) and Lauren Queensland (6 pts), each a 1,000-point scorer, in check. They came in averaging more than 35 PPG combined. Gracie Foster (12 pts, 4-5 FTs) was GM’s leading scorer. R-P hit 9 of 21 threes (43%), GM 4 of 14 (29%). The Trojans shot 48% (21 of 44) overall to GM’s 34% (13 of 38). The Larks also had 19 turnovers to R-P’s 11. The Larks were twice held below 40 points this season, both times by R-P. GM’s solid season ends at 19-9. The Trojans (3-seed, 21-7) moved on to play two-time defending 1A champ #5 in A Hayfield (2-seed, 27-2). R-P trailed 21-20 in the first half, but the Vikings then scored 17 straight to lead 38-20. They led 38-25 at intermission. Hayfield pulled away for an 85-58 victory. The 85-points given up was a season-high for the Trojans. Ellie Ekern (13 pts), Tayler Helgemoe (10 pts), Schneider (9 pts) and Nevaeh Happel (9 pts) led R-P. Hayfield got four in double figures; Kristen Watson (20 pts, 4-5 threes, 8-8 FTs, 5 rebs), Lilly Beyer (15 pts, 7-7 FGs, 6 rebs), Natalie Beaver (14 pts, 3-5 threes, 5 rebs, 5 asts), and Chelsea Christopherson (12 pts, 4-5 FTs). Hayfield shot 58% (26 of 45), R-P 40% (21 of 53). Included was the Vikings hitting 10 of 21 threes (48%) while R-P was 5 of 14 (36%) from deep. Hayfield also went 23 of 28 (82%) from the line, R-P 11 of 21 (52%). The Trojans excellent season ends at 21-8.