Photo by Paul Trende
Spring Grove’s boys made the section semifinals, but saw their season end there.
Solum Surges Lions Past Kenyon-Wanamingo in Quarters
For the second time in two playoff games, Spring Grove (4-seed, 23-4) played a team nicknamed Knights. For a second time, Lions were greater than Knights. Versus Kenyon-Wanamingo (5-seed, 21-6) in a 1A quarterfinal, SG had to navigate one notable obstruction, 6’10” Knight center Paul Kortsch. His length was definitely a story in the game. But Wade Grinde’s group used its excellent defense to hold down the Knights. SG spotted K-W a 2-0 lead, but then scored 14 of the next 16 points to lead 14-4. K-W tiptoed to down 16-11 at intermission, though the Lion defense held the Knights to six points though about 14-minutes of action. K-W started the game 3 of 17 from the field with seven turnovers. In the second half, things were still uncertain, as the Lions led 23-20. But SG sophomore guard Elijah Solum then scored nine straight points midway through the half, took a charge on Fortsch defensively, and ended by snaring a rebound and passing the ball ahead to assist a Jacob Olerud three-pointer. That shot put the Lions up 37-25 with under five minutes to go. SG wasn’t super sharp at the free throw line late, but the hill for K-W to climb was too steep. The Lions moved on to the 1A semis via a 51-35 win. Solum led the way with (20 points, 4-6 FTs, 4 rebs, 3 ast). His mid-range shot was a good antidote to the 6’10” Kortch inside, whose length made short-range shots near impossible. Tysen Grinde (11 pts, 8 rebs, 4 stls) also hit double figures. Carson Gerard added a near double-double (9 pts, 9 rebs, 3 stls). The senior had a soft tip-dunk early in the first half. His athleticism helped negate Fortsch’s size inside. Olerud added 8 points. K-W didn’t have a double-digit scorer. Laden Nerison (9 pts, 8 rebs, 7 stls) and Kortsch (8 pts, 6 rebs, 7 blks) led the Knights. The teams combined for 35 turnovers (SG 18, K-W 17). SG entered having gone 12 straight games with single-digit miscues. Eighteen TO’s was a season-high. K-W was 13 of 51 (25%) from the field including a woeful 2 of 23 (9%) from deep. They missed their first 16 threes, not hitting a trifecta until the final five minutes. SG shot a respectable 17 of 42 (40%) from the field, 5 of 15 (33%) from deep. Wade Grinde’s group left some points at the free throw line, going 12 of 22 (55%) to K-W’s 7 of 10 (70%). K-W was held to a season-low point total. The Lions (24-4) moved on to face top-seeded #1 Hayfield (27-2). The Vikings snuck past Randolph late in another 1A quarterfinal, 66-62.
Vikings Too Much for Lions
The first 1A semifinal at Mayo Civic Center had Spring Grove (4-seed, 24-4) playing #1 Hayfield (1-seed, 27-2), the defending section and state champion.
Photo by Paul Trende
All year, the Lions used defense as a catalyst to suppress opposing teams and post wins. This time, the Vikings were just too good offensively, and their defensive was similarly strong. After an early 8-8 tie, Hayfield went ahead for good. On the back of an 11-2 run, they led by as many as 11 (24-13) in the first half and by seven at intermission (24-17). The Vikings rode 6’2” junior guard Isaac Matti and 6’4” sophomore center Zander Jacobson. Matti hit three early threes and Jacobson scored six straight points later in the half. The duo scored 19 of Hayfield’s 24 points the in stanza. The Vikings then scored the first five after intermission to lead 29-17. But SG then scored five straight, all by sophomore Elijah Solum. The Lions hung around trailing 29-22 early in the stanza. But Hayfield then scored five straight, including Matti hitting his fourth three. They went back ahead double digits at 36-24. Matti’s shot was the first of four straight possessions where the Vikings execute well offensively to get scores. SG kept pace by scoring on three straight possessions, but Hayfield nonetheless led 42-31 with about six minutes left. All second half, the Vikings answered any SG push. Hayfield scored on their final six possessions including hitting their last five free throws. They kept the Lions at arm’s reach and posted a 54-40 win. The Vikings earned their second straight trip to the 1A finals. Solum (13 pts, 4-14 FGS, 4 rebs, 5 asts) led the Lions, but it was tough going versus a good Hayfield defense. Carson Gerard (10 pts, 5-9 FGs, 6 rebs, 4 blks) also hit double figures. Tysen Grinde added 7 (pts), 4 (reb), 3 (asts), and 4 (stls). Matti led all scorers (21 pts, 5-8 threes, 8-13 FGs, 4 asts, 3 stls). Jacobson (12 pts, 5-9 FGs, 7 rebs) also hit double figures. Easton Fritcher (9 pts, 10 rebs) and Ethan Pack (7 pts, 4 rebs) aided the Viking cause. Jacobson and Pack both had four fouls in the second half, and the Vikings aren’t deep. But Hayfield navigated the situation without a drop off. The Vikings shot 20 of 43 (48%) while the Lions went 15 of 43 (35%). Hayfield (7 of 16 > 44%) was plus-12 from behind the arc, as SG hit 3 of 9 threes (33%). The teams combined for 27 turnovers (SG 14, Hayfield 13). The Lions’ season ends at 24-5. Carson Gerard is the only senior on the squad.