Spring Grove entered its contest with Fillmore Central having ran the gamut in the SEC. The Lions (14-0, 22-3) are looking at a high seed in the play-offs. The Falcons (8-17) will play a high seed. But things happen, and in the teams’ season finale, an upstart Falcon team happened to the Lions. SG built a 24-17 first half lead. But Lion starters Tysen Grinde, Elijah Solum, and Carson Gerard all sat late per two fouls. FC went on a 17-2 run to end the stanza to lead 34-26 at halftime. SG wouldn’t lead again until a Hunter Holland basket made it 48-47 (5:11). Solum followed with a three (51-47), and SG seemingly had righted the ship (4:27). But Falcon sophomore Jayce Kiehne scored a three-point-play to tie the game at 52 (1:27). After Holland again scored making it 54-52, FC got a Will Parker free throw to pull to down 54-53 (0:56.9). The Lions, trying to run down the clock, then passed into traffic resulting in a turnover. Bryce Corson whipped the outlet ahead to Kiehne who streaked for a break-away lay-up putting FC up 55-54 (0:27)! Solum then attempted a game-winning baseline jumper, but it careened long. A jump-ball ensued as the clock expired. FC upset SG 55-54! They snapped the Lions 11-game win streak. Kiehne (21 pts, 6-11 FGs, 8-9 FTs) led the Falcons. Chase Christianson got the start and it paid dividends (11 pts, 5-5 FGs). Gunner Benson chipped in 10 points off the bench. Solum (16 pts, 4-6 FTs) and Grinde (13 pts, 6 rebs, 4 asts, 6 stls) led the Lions. Carson Gerard (9 pts, 9 rebs) and Jaxon Strinmoen (8 pts, 6 rebs) helped. FC (19 of 46 > 41%) shot better than SG (17 of 53 > 32%). FC (12 of 15 > 80%) was also sharper than SG (15 of 24 > 63%) at the free throw line. The win was FC’s first over SG since 2010-2011. They’d lost 11 straight to SG (the last eight by at 21). SG (14-0, 22-4) is 1A’s 4-seed, will host 13-seed Kingsland (11-15). FC (4-10, 9-17) is 1A’s 11-seed, plays at 6-seed L/P (22-4).
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