Ever since splitting into two divisions (2009-2010 season), the SEC has had just one East girls champion; Spring Grove. The Lions’ seven-year run looks over. Adam Wilder’s Cougars have control. Mabel-Canton (7-2, 15-6) started the week with a 51-47 loss to good West squad GM (9-2, 14-7). Coranda Vickerman (13 pts, 11 rebs), Lexi Thorson (10 pts, 7 rebs), and Courtney Graves (10 pts) did work. M-C then put a squeeze on the division title by beating SG (7-4, 12-10) for a second time this season, 69-57. Senior Vickerman (27 pts, 11-12 FTs, 10 rebs, 5 assists) and frosh Payton Danielson (career-high tying 23 pts, 5-7 threes, 6 rebs) began their two-day splendid-duo run (helping making up for Graves’ two-game absence). Maddy Michels chipped in 8 (pts) and 6 (rebs). Thorson had nine of M-C’s 18 assists. The Cougars hit eight three’s to SG’s one. A night later, in Lanesboro, M-C led 39-38 after 26 minutes. A 12-0 Cougar then ensued (51-39) and they prevailed 62-47. Vickerman (season-high 30 pts, 9-16 FGs, 10-14 FTs, 9 rebs) scored 24 second half points. The 5’3” Danielson added 20 (pts) and 6 (rebs). Haley Polin (18 pts, 9-16 FGs, 6 rebs, 5 assists) and Cassidy Ruud (10 pts) led the Burros. Lanesboro (5-8, 7-14) fell at M-C 49-15 in the teams’ other meeting. Spring Grove (8-5, 13-10) can only tie the Cougars (9-3, 17-7) in the East. They have one SEC game remaining, M-C two. It is the Cougars’ first girls basketball title since 2004-2005.
M-C Girls Clinch Share of East
