The No. 4 section-seeded Spring Grove girls contended throughout the first half against the state’s top-ranked Class A team, but Goodhue took complete control during the second half to win the Section 1A semi-final at Rochester, 73-49.
After a turnover-laden start, the Lions erased an early 9-2 deficit to pull even at 9-9 and then lead at 17-15 and 19-17. The Wildcats then regained the lead with 10 unanswered points. Despite 19 first-half turnovers, Spring Grove trailed only 30-23 at halftime. But Goodhue, which shot only 26% before the break, enjoyed 44% success from the field in the second half.
This was the deepest postseason run in 11 years for Spring Grove. Both teams came in with 23-5 records. The Class A Wildcats had a 16-1 record versus larger Class AA competition and went 4-3 against much-larger Class AAA clubs. Only one loss came against a Class A team, an early four-point setback to currently state-rankled No. 3 Hancock (26-2). Goodhue played in Class AA last year and finished third at the state tournament
Sophomore Siri Konkel scored 12 points and sophomore Kinley Soiney 11 points along with 9 rebounds for Spring Grove. Sophomore Kylie Hammel added 8 points, 5 rebounds while junior Emerson Ingvalson had 6 points, 8 boards. Goodhue 5-foot-11, senior point guard Elisabeth Gadient had an amazing stat line with 20 points, 13 assists, 7 rebounds and 6 steals. Junior 6-0 Kendyl Lodermeier had a game-high 21 points and 5 rebounds. Senior 6-0 post player Julia Carlson added 10 points and 5 rebounds
Despite having nine shots blocked, the Lions outshot the ‘Cats from the field 39% to 35%. But with a season-high 30 turnovers against a trapping Goodhue defense, Grove did not shoot often enough to keep up. The Wildcats loss possession only 10 times, the fewest turnovers of any Lion opponent this season. Goodhue buried 10 baskets from 3-point land; Spring Grove hit six. The Lions shot a better 3-point percentage (33% to 28%), but attempted only half as many treys (18 to 36).
The Wildcats were better at getting to the free throw line and more successful upon arrival. Goodhue made more free throws (15 for 21, 71%) than Spring Grove attempted (5 for 11, 45%).
The Lions had one of their best rebounding margins, 40 caroms to 30, taking advantage of the Wildcats’ cold shooting before halftime.
The Lions closed at 23-6, their first 20-plus-win season since going 23-7 in 2013. Goodhue improved to 24-5 heading into the section championship game.
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SG 49, Goodhue 73
SCORE by HALVES
SG 23+26=49
GHS 30+43=73
TEAM TOTALS:
all FG: SG 39% (19-49), GHS 35% (24-68)
2-pt FG: SG 42% (13-31), GHS 44% (14-32)
3-pt FG: SG 33% (6-18), GHS 28% (10-36)
Free throws: SG 45% (5-11), GHS 71% (15-21)
Rebounds: SG 40, GHS 30
Turnovers: SG 30, GHS 10
2nd Chance pts: SG 14, GHS 18
Fast break pts: SG 10, GHS 15
Pts. in paint: SG 20, GHS 37
Greatest lead: SG 2, GHS 26
Fouls: SG 18, GHS 16
SG INDIVIDUALS: * starter, P-points, R rebounds, A-assists, S-steals, B-blocked shots. Listed in order of jersey number
*Siri Konkel`1P, 6R, 7A, 1S
*Kendal VanMinsel 1P, 7R
Brinley Middendorf 2P, 3R
Izabel Kaufmann 4P, 2R, 1S
Carlie Halverson 5P, 1A
*Kylie Hammel 8P, 5R, 1A
*Emerson Ingvalson 6P, 8R, 4A, 2S, 2B
*Kinley Soiney 11P, 9R, 3S, 1B