The Spring Grove basketball boys are ready for a repeat, returning all but one player from last year’s 24-5 success. Four of the five losses came against state-ranked teams, including two state champions (Minnesota and Iowa.) Wade Grinde’s guys defeated all five larger-enrollment opponents, won the SEC East Division for the 11th time in 12 years and reached the section semi-finals before falling to the eventual state champion, Hayfield. All the younger Lions closed with winning records as well. The B-team went 16-6, the freshmen 3-1-1, the eighth graders 7-6 and the seventh graders impressive at 15-2.
Photo by Lee Epps
Within the SEC, it took overtime to edge 23-win West Division champ Lyle/Pacelli by two points. L/P and SG could again rule their respective SEC roosts. The Athletics return three All-SEC players and the Lions two. East Division runner-up Lanesboro returns two All-SEC selections as well. Mabel-Canton and Schaeffer Academy each bring back one all-conference honoree.
Last year’s lone SG graduate was Honorable Mention All-SEC post Carson Gerard, the team’s leading rebounder and third leading scorer. But returning are the other 12 Lions, including both All-SEC performers among 10 letter winners. However, two or three will not be available immediately while recovering from football injuries.
All-SEC, 3-year letter winner Tysen Grinde (6-foot-3 sr. G > 16.0 ppg, 5-3 rpg, 3.4 apg, 4.8 spg) led the conference in steals and also led the Lions in scoring and assists, ranking second in rebounds. All-SEC, Lion MVP and 3-year letter winner Elijah Solum 6-2 jr. G > 15.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.6 spg) shot a strong 37% from 3-point range.
Two other starters returning are 3-year letter winner Hunter Holland (5’9” Sr. G > 2.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg) and 2-year letter winner Jaxon Strinmoen (6-5 jr. G/F > 6.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.6 apg, 2.1 spg). Two-year letter winner Caleb Griffin (5-10 sr. G > 3.2 ppg) started five games while Logan Brumm (5-11 sr. F) and Jacob Olerud (6-1 jr. G > 4.4 ppg, 36% threes, 83% FT) saw significant action as well.
Other letter winners who could emerge as major contributors include tall junior forwards, 6-4 Ethan Crouch and 6-6 Josh Newgaard. Another junior, 6-0 guard Isaac Nerstad, shot 50% (10 for 20) beyond the 3-point arc. There are a pair of promising sophomores, 5-11 guard Bryce Berns and 6-2 Nathan Crouch. Back on the court for the first time since seventh grade is 6-6 senior Dane Edgington.
Since almost all of last year’s team returns, last year’s statistics should provide some insight for the future. Grove was not a high scoring team, but the Lions outscored the opponents by 21 points per game (57.6 to 36.6). While winning 24 times, Spring Grove kept many games close with defense until the offense supplied enough points to prevail. In Grinde’s 27 years at the helm, his Lions of 2022 posted the second-best season for both field goal defense and scoring defense as well as the fewest turnovers on offense – all second by extremely thin margins.
Defense has long been the hallmark of Wade Grinde teams, and these Lions have proven to be effective whether employing a zone or man-to-man. Stifling defense and long arms helped the Lions come up with 14.6 steals per contest and provided fast break opportunities. The Lions outscored the opponents in transition in 28 of the 29 games.
With the ball in their hands, last year’s Lions averaged more assists (12.8) than turnovers (9.8), always highly commendable for a high school squad. The opponents averaged more than 20 turnovers. Spring Grove shot 42% from the field while limiting the opponents to 36%. That includes the Lions’ strong 33% accuracy from 3-point range, while the other teams shot only 24% from downtown.
The Lions thrived at the foul line, not because they shot better but because they shot more often. Spring Grove shot 63.3%, slightly below the opponents’ 63.6%. But the Lions outscored them by 140 points because the Grove guys attempted so many more free throws.
But it was a battle on the backboards with the Lions averaging only three more rebounds per game than the opposition. And graduation claimed the leading rebounder. Physically, there is plenty of height this winter (five at 6-3 or taller).
The Lions will be expected to pile up wins again, especially if they can improve the rebound margin. Being a veteran team will help overcome the late start after the extended football season. But lingering football injuries present an early challenge. And speaking of experience, three varsity coaches – Grinde, Al Lochner and Tom Vix – have a combined 98 years of coaching experience.
This year, the Southeast Conference returns to a double round robin schedule, making 20 SEC games and a possible six non-conference dates. Two league games versus Lyle/Pacelli will be highlights. At the annual holiday double headers at Rushford, the Lions will face Dawson-Boyd on Dec. 27 and Higher Ground Academy (St. Paul) on Dec. 28. The boys will play Mankato Loyola in the Jan. 7 Breakdown Classic at Byron. Later, non-conference series continue with Rushford-Peterson, Fillmore Central and Class AA La Crescent-Hokah.
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