Photo by Christine Vreeman
Spring Grove’s boys ran its winning streak to eight by defeating Southland and LeRoy-Ostrander. Versus the Rebels (12-3) in a non-conference battle of top SEC teams, Eli Wolff led Southland with 21 points and Tysen Grinde led SG (19 pts, 4-14 threes, 5 rebs, 4 stls). It was just like the teams’ SEC matchup earlier in the year. And like that game, the Lions pulled away with a second-half run, this time a 15-3 outburst turning a one-point lead into a 13-point lead and an eventual 13-point win, 51-38. Elijah Solum (15 pts, 5 rebs) helped Grinde. The Lions have held the Rebels (who average 70 PPG) to their two lowest scoring out-puts of the season (37, 38). Turnovers were key, as the Rebels had 17 of SG’s 9. Wade Grinde’s group then trekked to LeRoy, hit a season-best 15 of 26 threes at a season-best 58% clip, and grabbed an 82-49 win. The Lions were plus-30 from deep, as L-O was 5 of 18 (28%). Both teams scored 34 points in the paint. Solum (26 pts, 5-7 threes, 5 rebs, 4 asts), Grinde (19 pts, 4-9 threes, 7 asts), Jaxon Strinmoen (12 pts, 5-6 FGs, 6 rebs), and Jacob Olerud (11 pts, 3-4 threes) all hit double figures. Levi Royston (19 pts, 3-9 threes, 6 rebs, 4 asts) led L-O. Chase Johnson (8 pts) and Tanner Olson (7 pts, 10 rebs) helped. SG (12-0, 19-3) won its eighth straight. L-O fell to 7-5, 13-8.