Chatfield basketball teams each had a week denoted by big wins. It started with the boys. A year ago, they nearly pulled the biggest upset of the 1AA play-offs. They had 2-seed Stewartville, headed by D-I talent Will Tschetter, on the ropes, but ultimately fell in double OT 85-77. It was redemption time as a solid Gopher squad (13-6) took the HVL leading Tigers (12-1, 17-5). It was a tight physical contest. The Tigers led 41-36 in the second half when Chatfield went on a 9-0 run to build a 45-41 lead. Stewie got within two twice thereafter, including at 51-49. But the Gophers were lights out at the free throw line after halftime, making 15 of 19 (nine straight). They were 2 of 8 in the first half. Chatfield notched its best of the year, beating Stewie 62-54. Drew Schindler (19 pts, 5-8 FGs, 7-8 FTs) led the attack. Eli Hopp (15 pts, 3-6 threes, 5 stls) and Drew O’Connor (12 pts, 5-5 FGs, 6 rebs) also made double-figures. Cole Johnson had 8 (pts), 7 (rebs), and 6 (asts). The Tigers were led by frosh Parker Wangen (12 pts, 7 rebs) and Ayden Helder (10 pts). All told, Chatfield made 17 of 26 free throw (65%), Stewie 11 of 17 (65%). The Gophers hit 5 of 16 threes (31%). Stewartville was 1 for 11 (9%). A night later, Chatfield beat W-K 57-46 to run its win streak to five (see “Boys Basketball” for more). Meanwhile, the girls only game of the week had Chatfield beating PEM 67-57. Peyton Berg (13 pts, 3-5 threes), Kara Goetzinger (11 pts), and Evy Goldsmith (11 pts, 5-7 FTs) hit double figures. But Sydney Allen (9 pts, 3-5 threes), Zayda Priebe (7 pts, 6 rebs, 5 stls), Jaiden Zimmerman (7 pts, 5 asts), and Anna Kivimagi (7 pts) all had at least seven. The Gophers got 22 points off the bench. Chatfield was 0 of 5 from deep but they shot 26 of 46 (54%) overall. It was the Chatfield’s first win over the Bulldogs since December of 2015 (15 straight losses). The teams played a 65-60 overtime game earlier this year. PEM is 17-8. The Gophers (8-5, 18-8) are 1AA’s 8-seed, will host 9-seed La Crescent/Hokah (13-11).
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