The Class A Spring Grove boys dealt a first loss to Class AA La Crescent-Hokah, 56-41, on Jan. 18, one night after walloping Houston, 72-24. A strong first half propelled the Lions to both road wins. Oddly enough, the winless Hurricanes had more points at halftime (Lions led 54-20) than the unbeaten Lancers (Lions led, 36-14). But La Crescent-Hokah came out of the halftime locker room with a backcourt pressure defense that altered the script during the second half. But the Lion defense delivered again, limiting the Lancers – on their home court – to 24 points below their season scoring average.
Spring Grove improved to 11-2 (7-0 SEC) while Houston remained winless at 0-12 (0-6 SEC) and La Crescent-Hokah left the floor at 8-1.
Photo by Lee Epps
The Lion B-team (7-4) comfortably completed a season sweep of Houston, 48-23. Playing only in the first half, Jacob Olerud had 16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists with only 1 turnover. At La Crescent-Hokah, the B- boys rallied from 15 points down to lead by eight before going scoreless during the final five minutes. In the 43-39 loss to the Lancers, Isaac Nerstad nailed five 3-pointers while scoring 17 points. Spring Grove won the first freshman game of the season, 36-20, with Bryce Berns scoring 13 points.
Both junior high teams completed sweeps of the Hurricanes; The Lion eighth graders (4-1) defeated Houston, 34-21, while the unbeaten seventh graders (8-0) won, 51-9. There were no junior high games versus La Crescent-Hokah.
SG 72, Houston 24
This score at Spring Grove was appropriately similar to the previous 71-22 Lion win at Houston. The Lions shot 39% in both games. Hurricane ball-handlers again succumbed against Spring Grove’s suffocating defense, which with 34 steals, forced 39 Houston turnovers. Those thefts led to all 32 Lion fast-break points. Despite missing nine shots right under the basket, the Lions still surpassed half of a hundred before the ‘Canes glanced up at 54-20 on the scoreboard as they disconsolately trudged into the halftime locker room. Houston would add only four more points during the running-clock-abbreviated second half.
Spring Grove sophomore Jaxon Strinmoen had career highs with 20 points and 6 steals while sharing team honors with 5 rebounds. Junior Hunter Holland lifted a career-best 8 steals. Junior Tysen Grinde had a strong stat line with 16 points, 5 steals, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Sophomore Elijah Solum added 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists with no turnovers. Thirteen Lions played; 10 scored, 10 rebounded and nine were credited with steals.
Spring Grove has now taken the last four games versus Houston and 59 of the last 61. Since 1949, the Lions lead the series, 104-54.
SG 56, La Crescent-Hokah 41
Solum displayed exceptional shooting, going 8 for 9 from the field. And most of those were really difficult, contested shots. He went 4-for-4 at the foul line to finish with 20 points. Grinde had a game-highs with 22 points and 8 rebounds along with a team-high 7 steals. Spring Grove, with 10 early points from Grinde, bolted out to a 16-6 lead in this non-conference road trip.
The Lions had exactly seven turnovers in each of their previous four games. They lost possession only three times while dominating the first half at La Crescent-Hokah. However, after intermission, they fell victim to intensified defensive pressure for 20 additional turnovers – the most in any half in 14 years. The game total of 23 turnovers is the most for Spring Grove in eight seasons.
But Spring Grove survived with its own defense that resulted in 21 Lancer turnovers and a lot of 3-point attempts by the home team. And the home team did not shoot well enough to win. From the field, the Lions outshot La Crescent-Hokah, 57% to 32%.
While denying the Lancers access into the lane, the Lion defense limited them to only 10 free throws. Both teams shot 70% from the foul line, but SG hit 19 of 27 free throws, while La Crescent-Hokah went 7 for 10. The Lions outscored the Lancers by three points from the field and by 12 points from the free throw line. The Grove guys had only four second-half baskets, but they scored their final 10 points from the charity stripe.
In front of a large crowd, La Crescent-Hokah cut a 22-point halftime deficit down to 10 with five minutes to play (48-38). From then on, it was all turnovers (6) and free throws (8 of 11) for the Spring Grove offense while the Lancers hit only one of their final 13 shots. Gerard, Solum and Strinmoen each blocked a shot during the final two minutes. Carter Todd led Lancer scoring with 11 points while Mason Einerwold added 9.
Spring Grove has won four of the last five games in the series, which the Lancers still lead, 24-10.
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VARSITY vs. HOUSTON:
SCORE by HALVES
SG 54 + 18 = 72
Hou 20 + 4 = 24
TEAM TOTALS:
all FG: SG 39% (27-69), Hou 31% (9-29)
2-pt FG: SG 42% (22-52), Hou 41% (7-17)
3-pt FG: SG 29% (5-17), Hou 17% (2-12)
Free throws: SG 59% (13-22), Hou 100% (4-4); Rebounds: SG 34, Hou 28; Turnovers: SG 7, Hou 39; 2nd Chance points: SG 19, Hou 2; Fast break points: SG 32, Hou 4; Points in paint: SG 52, Hou 18; Greatest lead: SG 49, Hou 0; Fouls: SG 10, Hou 16
SG INDIVIDUALS: P-points, R rebounds, A-assists, S-steals, B-blocked shots. Listed in order of jersey number. *starter. Caleb Griffin 7P, 3R, 4S; Nathan Crouch 2R, 1A; Isaac Nerstad 3P; *Tysen Grinde 16P, 4R, 4A, 5S; *Hunter Holland 2P, 1A, 8S; Josh Newgaard 1S; Ethan Crouch 1P, 5R, 2S, 1B; Logan Brumm 2P, 2R, 1S; Jacob Olerud 2P, 3R; Bryce Berns 2R; *Carson Gerard 8P, 4R, 3A, 4S, 1B; *Jaxon Strinmoen 20P, 5R, 1A, 6S; *Elijah Solum 11P, 4R, 2A, 3S
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VARSITY vs. La CRESCENT-HOKAH
SCORE by HALVES
SG 36 + 20 = 56
LH 14 + 27 = 41
TEAM TOTALS:
all FG: SG 57% (17-30), LH 32% (15-47)
2-pt FG: SG 74% (14-19), LH 42% (11-26)
3-pt FG: SG 27% (3-11), LH 9% (4-21)
Free throws: SG 70% (19-27), LH 70% (7-10); Rebounds: SG 25, LH 19; Turnovers: SG 23, LH 21; 2nd Chance points: SG 11, LH 12; Fast break points: SG 5, LH 8; Points in paint: SG 30, LH 23; Greatest lead: SG 24, LH 0; Fouls: SG 15, LH 22; Fouled out: SG: Solum (1:15)
SG INDIVIDUALS: P-points, R rebounds, A-assists, S-steals, B-blocked shots. Listed in order of jersey number. *starter. Caleb Griffin 1A, 1S; Isaac Nerstad – no stats; *Tysen Grinde 22P, 8R, 2A, 7S; *Hunter Holland 1P, 6R, 3A, 1S; Josh Newgaard no stats; Ethan Crouch – no stats; Logan Brumm – no stats; Jacob Olerud 2P; *Carson Gerard 7P, 4R, 1A, 1S, 1B; *Jaxon Strinmoen 3P, 5R, 2A, 1S, 2B; *Elijah Solum 21P, 2R, 2A, 1B
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B-TEAM vs. HOUSTON
>>SG 33 + 15 = 48
>>Hou 9 + 14 = 23
all FG: SG 45% (18-40), Hou 24% (9-37)
2-pt FG: SG 45% (10-22), Hou 25% (6-24)
3-pt FG: SG 44% (8-18), Hou 23% (3-13)
Free throws: SG 80% (4-5), Hou 40% (2-5); Rebounds: SG 23, Hou 21; Turnovers: SG 10, Hou 16; Greatest lead: SG 28, Hou 1; Fouls: SG 8, Hou 8
B-TEAM INDIVIDUALS: P-points, R rebounds, A-assists, S-steals, B-blocked shots. Listed in order of jersey number. * starter. *Nathan Crouch 1R, 1S; Kohl Betcher no stats; *Isaac Nerstad 6P, 6A, 1S; *Ethan Crouch 4P, 2R, 1A, 2S, 1B; Ben Udstuen 2R, 2A; Troy Reinhardt 3R, 1S; Josh Newgaard 8P, 3R, 3B; Zach Brumm 1A; *Jacob Olerud 16P, 6R, 2A, 2S; *Bryce Berns 11P, 1R, 1A, 2S; Ezra Griffin 1R, 1S; Gavin Ostern 3P, 4R, 2A, 2S; Shawn Crouch no stats
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B-TEAM vs. La CRESCENT-HOKAH
>>SG 22 + 17 = 39
>>LH 27 + 16 = 43
all FG: SG 39% (14-36), LH 36% (17-47)
2-pt FG: SG 40% (6-15), LH 41% (13-32)
3-pt FG: SG 35% (8-21), LH 27% (4-15)
Free throws: SG 50% (3-6), LH 56% (5-9)
Rebounds: SG 24, LH 25
Turnovers: SG 16, LH 11
Greatest lead: SG 8, LH 15
Fouls: SG 12, LH 10
B-TEAM INDIVIDUALS: P-points, R rebounds, A-assists, S-steals, B-blocked shots. Listed in order of jersey number. *starter. Nathan Crouch out injured; *Isaac Nerstad 17P, 1R 1A, 1B; *Ethan Crouch 2P, 6R, 1A, 1S, 3B; Ben Udstuen 1R; *Josh Newgaard 9P, 4R, 1A, 1S; Zach Brumm no stats; *Jacob Olerud 10P, 3R, 1A, 1S; *Bryce Berns 1P, 6R, 3A, 1S; Ezra Griffin 1R, 1A; Gavin Ostern 2R, 1A,1S, 1B
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SEC Boys BB
EAST DIVISION
Spring Grove 7-0 SEC (11-2 season)
Lanesboro 3-4 SEC (7-5 season)
Schaeffer Aca. 3-4 SEC (3-9 season
Mabel-Canton 2-5 SEC (6-9 season)
Houston 0-6 SEC (0-12 season)
WEST DIVISION
Lyle/Pacelli 6-0 SEC (11-2 season)
Southland 7-1 SEC (8-2 season)
LeRoy-Ostrander 5-3 SEC (9-4 season)
Kingsland 3-4 SEC (6-8 season)
Grand Meadow 2-5 SEC (6-8 season)
Glenville-Emmons 0-6 SEC (0-11 season)
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Spring Grove Boys Basketball 2021-’22 (*conference game)
11-2 (7-0 SEC)
W vs. New Hampton, Iowa 45-41
W vs. Houston* 71-22
Fri. 12/10 vs. Lyle/Pacelli* postponed to Feb. 18
L at North Linn, Iowa 36-69
W at Southland*59-37
W vs. Lanesboro* 70-34
>>>Rushford-Peterson Christmas Invite
L at Rushford-Peterson 41-53
W vs. Dover-Eyota 44-33
W at Mabel-Canton* 67-32
W at Schaeffer Academy*58-14
W vs. Kingsland (non-conference) 50-35
W vs. Grand Meadow* 44-40
Fri. 01/14 at Fillmore Central (Preston) ppd. to 2-25-22
W at Houston*72-24
W at La Crescent-Hokah 56-41
Fri. 01/21 at Martin County West (Sherburn) 7 pm
Sat. 01/22 at Madelia 1 pm
Tues. 01/25 at Kingsland*
Thur. 01.27 Waukon
Fri. 01/28 Mabel-Canton*
Thur. 02/03 Glenville-Emmons*
Fri. 02/04 at Lanesboro*
Mon. 02/07 Southland (non-conference)
Fri. 02/11 at LeRoy-Ostrander*
Mon. 02/14 St. Charles
Thur. 02/17 Schaeffer Academy*
Fri. 02/18 Lyle/Pacelli* postponed from Dec. 10
Fri. 02/25 at Fillmore Central (Preston) postponed from Jan. 14
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B-team Boys Basketball 7-4 (6-2 SEC)
W vs. Houston 45-14
L at Southland 34-51
W vs. Lanesboro 49-33
L at Rushford-Peterson 31-59
W vs. Dover-Eyota 44-33
W at Mabel-Canton 47-30
L at Schaeffer Academy 33-34 overtime
W vs. Kingsland 32-19
W vs. Grand Meadow 49-15
W at Houston 48-23
L at La Crescent-Hokah 39-43
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Freshmen Boys Basketball (1-0)
W at La Crescent-Hokah 36-20
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8th Grade Boys Basketball (4-1)
W vs. Houston 27-23
W vs. Caledonia 30-20
L vs. Lanesboro 21-40
W at Mabel-Canton 54-41
W at Houston 34-21
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7th Grade Boys Basketball (8-0)
W vs. Houston 44-8
W vs. Caledonia 19-16
W vs. Lanesboro 39-16
W at Mabel-Canton 60-11
W at Schaefer Academy 43-2
W vs. Kingsland 42-18
W vs. Grand Meadow 44-11
W at Houston 51-9