The Spring Grove boys (12-2, 11-2 SEC) nailed down the SEC East Division basketball championship and then went a long way in deciding the West Division title. There were two matchups between the top three teams in the league. The Lions began the week with a 68-47 home non-conference win over Fillmore Central before facing both co-leaders of the SEC West. SG first fell at Lyle/Pacelli, 51-38, and then defeated visiting Southland, 61-54, leaving L/P with a one-game lead over the Rebels heading into the final week of the regular season. Ironically, the Lions clinched the East crown the same night they lost at L/P, because second-place Randolph fell as well. It was SG’s 10th division title in 11 years.
The B-team Lions (5-7) fell to both Fillmore Central, 42-38, and Lyle/Pacelli, 42-30. The eighth graders (9-0) remained undefeated with a win over both Fillmore Central, 38-13, and Houston, 33-5. The seventh graders (3-5) also defeated both the Falcons, 35-26, and the Hurricanes, 30-22.
at SG 68, Fillmore Central 47
Three-win Fillmore Central led 10-win Spring Grove for most of the first half, but a 27-point performance from Caden Grinde, and a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double from Carson Gerard paced the Lions past the hot-shooting Falcons. Smooth freshman Elijah Solum was also in double figures with 13 points. Sophomore Tysen Grinde contributed 8 points and 6 rebounds.
Spring Grove outscored the visitors by 21 points at the foul line in a 21-point victory. While limiting Fillmore Central to only five free throws (3 for 5), the dribble-driving Lions earned a season-high 35 free throws and sank a season-high 24 charity points.
Fillmore Central’s 55% shooting from the field was the most accurate of any SG opponent this season, but the Lions shot more often due to a dozen more offensive rebounds and 14 fewer turnovers. Grove ball-handling was strong, accounting for six of only nine turnovers (3 offensive fouls). Eighteen of 23 Falcon turnovers came during the first half, which helped the Lions claw their way back to a slim 31-29 halftime edge. Grove then scored the first seven points after the break to secure the lead, which was only a 50-41 advantage midway through the second half.
Fillmore Central (3-8) shot a hot 47% from 3-point land (8 for 17), including a trio of treys from senior guard Zach Haugerud, who led the Falcons with 19 points. The Lions went only 22% from deep (2 for 9), but they feasted in the lane where they outscored Fillmore Central, 52 to 21.
It was Spring Grove’s 11th consecutive victory against the Falcons. The Lions have edged ahead in the all-time series, 18-16.
VARSITY: SG 68, FC 47
SG 31+37=68
FC 29+18=47
all FG: SG 45% (21-47), FC 55% (18-33)
2-pt. FG: SG 50% (19-38), FC 63% (10-16)
3-pt. FG: SG 22% (2-9), FC 47% (8-17)
Free throws: SG 69% (24-35), FC 60% (3-5); Rebounds: SG 28, FC 15; Turnovers: SG 9, FC 23; 2nd Chance points: SG 18, FC 1; Fast break points: SG 11, FC 6; Points in paint: SG 52, FC 21; Greatest lead: SG 25, FC 7; Fouls: SG 7, FC 22
SG INDIVIDUALS: P-points, R rebounds, A-assists, S-steals, B-blocked shots. Listed in order of jersey number. * starter. Caleb Griffin no stats; Jonah Udstuen no stats; Isaac Nerstad no stats; *Caden Grinde 27P, 5R, 2A, 5S; *Tysen Grinde 8P, 6R, 2S; *Hunter Holland 3P, 2R, 3A,; Josh Newgaard no stats; Logan Brumm no stats; *Carson Gerard 13P, 10R, 1A, 3S, 1B; Ethan Crouch no stats; Jaxon Strinmoen 4P, 2R; *Elijah Solum 13P, 3R, 1A, 4S
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SG 38, at Lyle/Pacelli 51
While the Lions scored a season-low 38 points, Buay Koak poured in 31 points (the most by an opposing player in three years), All-SEC last season as a a freshman, the 6-foot-4 sophomore was dangerous with the dribble and also threw in four 3-point baskets. He hit three consecutive treys during a 14-point L/P run that erased a one-point Lion lead early in the second half. All-Conference senior point guard Cole Walter had 5 points and 2 (of his 7) assists during that critical spurt.
Down 16-15 at halftime, Tysen Grinde broke to the basket and scored with a pass from Caden Grinde to put Spring Grove ahead 17-16. But the Lions never led again as the Athletics hit five straight shots, including four from afar. That put L/P ahead by 13 points; and 13 minutes and 57 seconds later, the game ended with a 13-point margin. The Athletics had a 13-point advantage in both fast break points and points in the paint.
Spring Grove shot a strong 40% from 3-point range (6 for 15), but a season-low 33% from the field overall and a season-low 6 assists. The Lions held a 23-to-18 rebounding edge and handled the ball with an acceptable 12 turnovers. But L/P (11-1 SEC, 12-2) became the first Lion opponent to log more assists (12) than turnovers (11). The Athletics were charged with only seven fouls, limiting Grove to only four free throws.
Only Four Lions scored. led by Caden Grinde, but all of his 16 points came after the Athletics had seized a double-digit lead in the second half. Tysen Grinde put in 14 points while Gerard added 6 points and 7 rebounds. Solum rebounded 8 times.
It was the second straight win for L/P over SG, but the Lions had taken 35 of the previous 36.
VARSITY: SG 38, L/P 51
SG 15+23=38
L/P 16+35=51
all FG: SG 33% (15-46), L/P 53% (20-38)
2-pt. FG: SG 29% (9-31), L/P 56% (14-25)
3-pt. FG: SG 40% (6-15), L/P 46% (6-13)
Free throws: SG 50% (2-4), L/P 38% (5-13)
Rebounds: SG 23, L/P 18
Turnovers: SG 12, L/P 11
2nd Chance points: SG 8, L/P 2
Fast break points: SG 2, L/P 15
Points in paint: SG16, L/P 29
Greatest lead: SG 4, L/P 16
Fouls: SG 15, L/P 7
SG INDIVIDUALS:
*Caden Grinde 16P, 1R, 4A, 4S, 2B; *Tysen Grinde 14P, 5R, 2A, 2S, 2B; *Hunter Holland 2P, 2R, 2A; *Carson Gerard 6P, 7R, 2B; Jaxon Strinmoen no stats; *Elijah Solum 8R, 1A
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at SG 61, Southland 54
The last of 10 lead changes came with a driving basket from Solum midway through the second half. With a five-point lead and 4:44 remaining, the Lions spread the floor and slowed the pace while sinking 9 of 12 free throws along with driving layups from Grinde and Grinde to extend the lead to nine before winning by seven.
Caden Grinde and Solum each finished with 15 points while Gerard furnished 14. Despite 7 rebounds from Grinde and 6 boards from Gerard, the Lions were soundly outrebounded, 32 to 19 by five bulky Rebels between 6 feet and 6-3, three of which weighed between 210 and 215. Ethan Forthun (6-3, 215) had an 18-point, 10-rebound double double while Nick Boe put in 13 points and point guard Hanson Hanna 10.
The Lions were far more successful taking the ball inside where they scored 41 of their 61 points. After attempting only two free throws in the first half, the Grove guys forced Southland to foul during the final five minutes. SG hit 14 of 19 free throws (74%) while limiting the Rebels to only four charity attempts (2 for 4) – a 12-point advantage in a seven-point win.
Southland (11-2 SEC, 13-2) came in ready to combat the Spring Grove trapping defense, but the visitors closed with more 3-point attempts (30) than 2-point tries (24). The Rebels shot a sizzling 74% with 2-point shots (a season-best for a SG opponent) but a middling 20% from 3-point land. They did outscore SG from the field (52-47) but could not hit enough 3-pointers to make up the free throw deficiency.
The Lions, with a 10-to-2 run, threatened to pull away in the first half, but the Rebels rallied back from a nine-point deficit to trail only 31-27 at halftime. Southland scored the first four points of the second half to tie the score for the fourth time and then would take the lead three times. SG finally separated with a six-point spurt (46-40) and won the late battle between Lion free throws and Rebel 3-point attempts.
The Lions ended a three-game losing streak to Southland, including the Rebel win in last year’s section tournament. Southland is back in the SEC after departing 18 years ago for the Three Rivers Conference. SG leads the all-time series, 9 wins to 7.
VARSITY: SG 61, SHS 54
SG 31+30=61
SHS 27+27=54
all FG: SG 49% (22-45), SHS 43% (23-53)
2-pt. FG: SG 59% (19-32), SHS 74% (17-23)
3-pt. FG: SG 23% (3-13), SHS 20% (6-30)
Free throws: SG 74% (14-19), SHS 50% (2-4); Rebounds: SG 19, SHS 32; Turnovers: SG 13, SHS 21; 2nd Chance points: SG 11, SHS 18; Fast break points: SG 6, SHS 4; Points in paint: SG 41, SHS 30; Greatest lead: SG 9, SHS 2; Fouls: SG 12, SHS 16
SG INDIVIDUALS: *Caden Grinde 15P, 7R, 3A, 6S; *Tysen Grinde 8P, 1R, 2A, 1S; *Hunter Holland 5P, 4R, 2A, 1S; *Carson Gerard 14P, 6R, 2A, 4S; Jaxon Strinmoen 4P, 1S; *Elijah Solum 15P, 1R, 2A, 1S, 2B
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B-TEAM: SG 38, Fillmore Central 42
A six-point Spring Grove run, all scored by Logan Brumm, cut the Falcon lead to 40-38 with 20 seconds to play, but Fillmore Central secured the decision with a pair of free throws with three seconds remaining. The Falcons’ strong 3-point shooting (7 for 18, 39%) overcame Lion free throws (10 for 16, 63%). FC only had a half dozen free throws (3 for 6).
With nine lead changes, it was tight throughout. A 3-ball from Brumm put the Lions ahead at halftime, 20-18. Three consecutive treys gave the Falcons that late eight-point lead (40-32) before Brumm tallied the next six points. Brumm (6 steals) and Caleb Griffin each scored nine points while Josh Newgard added 7 points and Ethan Crouch 7 rebounds. he Lions played without their injured leading scorer, Jacob Olerud.
Falcon 6-0 freshman guard Jayce Kiehne led all scorers with 20 points
B-TEAM: SG 38, FC 42
SG 20+18=38
FC 18+24=42
B-TEAM TOTALS:
all FG: SG 36% (12-33), FC 33% (16-49)
2-pt. FG: SG 42% (8-19), FC 29% (9-31)
3-pt. FG: SG 29% (4-14), FC 39% (7-18)
Free throws: SG 63% (10-16), FC 50% (3-6); Rebounds: SG 18, FC 25; Turnovers: SG 15, FC 15; Greatest lead: SG 5, FC 8
Fouls: SG 10, FC 15
B-TEAM INDIVIDUALS: P-points, R rebounds, A-assists, S-steals, B-blocked shots. Listed in order of jersey number. * starter. *Caleb Griffin9P, 4R, 1S, 2B; Jonah Udstuen 2R, 1A; *Isaac Nerstad 5P, 1R, 2A, 1S; Josh Newgaard 7P, 1R, 1B; *Logan Brumm 9P, 3R, 3A, 6S, 1B; Jacob Olerud out injured; *Ethan Crouch 5P, 7R, 2S, 3B; *Jaxon Strinmoen 3P, 1A, 2S
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B-TEAM: SG 30, Lyle/Pacelli 42
The Athletics led from wire to wire after scoring the first 10 points. The Lions got back within three points and then trailed 19-11 at halftime before facing double-digit deficits for most of the second half. Spring Grove had only 11 turnovers, but L/P had only 14 and was the better shooting team from everywhere on the court and outrebounded the visiting Lions, 32 to 21.
Isaac Nerstad led Lion soring with 12 points with Griffin adding 8. L/P sophomore guard Mac Nelson tossed in 18 points.
B-TEAM: SG 30, L/P 42
SG 11+19=30
L/P 19+23=42
B-TEAM TOTALS:
all FG: SG 28% (13-47), L/P 38% (15-39)
2-pt. FG: SG 31% (11-35), L/P 42% (11-26)
3-pt. FG: SG 17% (2-12), L/P 31% (4-13)
Free throws: SG 40% (2-5), L/P 57% (8-14); Rebounds: SG 21, L/P 32; Turnovers: SG 11, L/P 14; Greatest lead: SG 0, L/P 20; Fouls: SG 10, L/P 8
B-TEAM INDIVIDUALS: *Caleb Griffin 8P, 1R, 3S, 1B; Jonah Udstuen 2R, 2A; *Isaac Nerstad 12P, 3R, 1S, 1B; Josh Newgaard 2P; Tristan Hammel 2P, 5R; *Logan Brumm 2P, 3R, 1A, 1S; Jacob Olerud out injured; *Ethan Crouch 2P, 6R, 2A, 1S, 4B; *Jaxon Strinmoen 2P, 1R, 2S
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>>SEC EAST DIVISION
Spring Grove* 11-2 SEC, 12-2 season
Randolph 7-5 SEC, 8-6 season
Lanesboro 7-5 SEC, 7-8 season
Schaeffer Academy 5-6 SEC, 5-7 season
Mabel-Canton 4-9 SEC, 5-10 season
Houston 0-14 SEC, 0-15
season
* champion East Division
>>SEC WEST DIVISION
Lyle/Pacelli…………12-1 SEC, 13-2 season
Southland…………..11-2 SEC, 13-2 season
Grand Meadow 6-5 SEC, 7-5 season
LeRoy-Ostrander 6-5 SEC, 6-5 season
Kingsland 2-9 SEC, 2-10 season
Glenville-Emmons 0-8 SEC, 0-8 season
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Varsity Boys Basketball 2021). >>12-2 season, 11-2 SEC
W at Grand Meadow 45-41
W vs Mabel-Canton 57-31
W vs. Schaeffer Academy 67-28
W at Houston 86-35
L at Randolph 47-52
W at Schaeffer Academy 59-43
W vs. Houston 64-15
W vs. Randolph 67-54
W at Mabel-Canton 60-24
W at Lanesboro 67-39
W vs. Lanesboro 63-24
W vs. Fillmore Central 68-47
L at Lyle/Pacelli 38-51
W vs. Southland 61-54
03/08 vs. Rushford-Peterson
03/11 at Glenville-Emmons, canceled
03/12 Kingsland
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B-team Boys Basketball 2021. >>5 wins, 7 losses
W at Grand Meadow 56-30
W vs. Schaeffer Academy 38-22
W at Houston 53-12
L at Randolph 44-47 (OT)
L at Schaeffer Academy 33-36
W vs. Houston 48-6
L vs. Randolph 17-39
W at Mabel-Canton 55-17
L at Lanesboro 31-43
L vs. Lanesboro 42-44
L vs. Fillmore Central 38-42
L at Lyle/Pacelli 30-42
03/08 vs. Rushford-Peterson
03/12 Kingsland
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8th Grade Boys Basketball 2021 >>9 wins, 0 losses
W vs. Schaeffer Academy 29-13
W at Houston 35-15
W at Schaeffer Academy 39-23
W at Mabel-Canton 37-16
W vs. Randolph 23-20
W at Lanesboro 34-16
W vs. Lanesboro 35-23
W vs. Fillmore Central 38-13
W vs. Houston 33-5
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7th Grade Boys Basketball 2021 >>3 wins, 5 losses
L at Houston 24-34
L at Mabel-Canton 23-39
L vs. Randolph 11-42
L at Lanesboro 32-38
W vs. Lanesboro 35-23
L vs. LeRoy-Ostrander 28-33
W vs. Fillmore Central 35-26
W vs. Houston 30-22