Lions, Burros Split Series atop SEC East

The Spring Grove boys and the Lanesboro girls maintained/reattained their leads in their respective SEC East Division races as the Lion and Burro basketball teams played their first series of the year.  At Spring Grove, defense was the key as the Lions boys (3-0 SEC) dismissed the Burro boys, 70-34.  Meanwhile at Lanesboro, rebounding propelled the Burro girls (3-1 SEC) past the Lion ladies, 58-35. The LHS girls never trailed, but the Lion boys were behind early before taking control with a 26-0 scoring run heading into halftime. For SG, Tysen Grinde scored a career-high 25 points along with 8 steals and 7 rebounds. Elijah Solum added 14 points and Carson Gerard 13. The Burros’ Stephan Schultz and Parker Storhoff each put in 6 points. There were 22 Lion steals among 30 LHS turnovers. The Lion lads hit many more free throws (17 for 28) than the Burros attempted (4 for 11). The boys’ rebounding totals were close, but not so for the girls. The Burro ladies had 27 offensive and 20 defensive boards, both totals surpassing the Lion total of 18.  LHS center Kaci Ruen had an 18-point (8-9 FGs), 15 rebound double-double (both game-highs).  Malia Tessum had 13 points (4-10 threes) and 7 rebounds, Jessie Schreiber 7 points and 12 boards. Brielle Ruen put in 6 points to go with 8 rebounds. Eighth grade point guard Jensyn Storhoff was the third Burro in double figures with 10 points. For SG, 80% of the scoring came from two players – Jordian Leahy with 16 points and Addyson McHugh 12.  The Lion girls (3-1, 3-5) came into the game percentage points ahead of Lanesboro (2-1, 5-3) in the SEC-East standings.  The Burros (3-1, 7-3) now solely lead the East over SG (3-2, 3-6) and Houston (3-2, 4-3).  Lanesboro also notched a key close non-con win over Lewiston-Altura, 68-67 (See “Girls Basketball.”).  The Lions boys (3-0, 4-1) lead the SEC-East.  Lanesboro’s boys are 1-3, 2-3.