Redemptions Denied

The FC/R-P girls/boys basketball series had won concurrent theme. Falcon teams looked for redemption. In Preston, the Falcon boys (1-9, 5-11) took the floor after a 63-41 loss to Lanesboro. Their performance versus R-P (8-1, 11-5) was partially, but not ultimately redeeming. The teams, with opposing streaks (R-P +5, FC -7), logged through a field-goal-lacking first half. It looked like field goals at halftime; 9-6 R-P. With 5:28 left, it was still football; 17-13 R-P. Samuel Peters hit some deep three’s to keep FC close, but the Trojans toughed out a 34-23 win. Peters had a game-high 13 points (4-8 threes). Payton Hahn (8 pts) was high-man for R-P. Noah Carlson (7 pts, 5 rebs, 3 assists, 5 stls) had a rounded game. The teams (RP/FC) shot 20.7%/30.8% from deep, 21.6%/30% from the field, and 50%/25% from the line. It was (at least) the seventh time this season an R-P foe was held to its season low point total (Trojans 7-0). In Rushford, the Falcon girls (6-6, 11-7) tried to avenge a December 47-29 loss to the Trojans (9-4, 11-5). The first half saw six ties and seven lead changes. R-P ended on a 13-5 run for the 34-28 halftime lead. They led 40-29 at one point, but down the stretch, the teams went back-and-forth, scoring on thirteen straight possessions. Falcon Tayah Barnes’ three made it 61-59 (0:24.8). FC then nearly got a tie-up, but was forced to foul. Mikayla Crawford made one free throw. Down 62-59 (0:20.5), FC turned the ball over. Brianna Koop was fouled and hit one free throw to cement the game, 63-59. R-P’s seniors Koop (24 pts, 8-14 FTs, 12 rebs), Crawford (15 pts, 4-6 FGs, 6-7 FTs, 7 assists), and Savannah Skalet (15 pts, 9-10 FTs) did the big work. Ten Falcons scored led by Barnes (13 pts, 7 rebs) and Paige Bennett (10 pts). Kenzie Broadwater added 5 (pts), 5 (rebs), 12 (assists), and 3 (stls). Foul trouble plagued FC. Free throws thus (26 of 43 to 9 of 18) favored R-P.