The 2023 basketball season ended for the Spring Grove girls with a third loss to Kingsland, 64-49, in the Section 1A opener for both teams on Feb. 23 at Spring Valley. With the No. 5 seed, the Knights (21-6) prevailed again over the No. 12 Lions (12-15), but this rematch followed a far different script. During the two regular-season contests, Kingsland had things well under control early with halftime leads of 31-17 and 36-13 on the way to 19 and 22-point decisions. But at section, the Lions scored the first four points, and Kingsland called a quick timeout. After three lead changes, Spring Grove trailed by seven at the break (30-23) and then six minutes into the second half, seized the lead, 33-32.
Photo by Lee Epps
However, that Lion lead lasted only 41 seconds until Anika Reiland scored on each of Kingsland’s next four possessions. After having scored 6 points and 7 points in the previous two wins against Spring Grove, the 5-foot-6 senior guard finished with a 24-point, 12-rebound double-double along with 6 steals and 4 assists. Sophomore Chantle Reiland also double-doubled with 12 points and 10 boards. Junior Katelyn Hauser added 12 points.
For the Lions, freshman Kylie Hammel had team-highs with 19 points and 8 rebounds. Senior Addyson McHugh had valuable contributions with 9 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 4 blocked shots. Lydia Solum and Emerson Ingvalson each added 7 points while Siri Konkel had team-highs with 5 assists and 3 steals. Carlie Halverson came off the bench for 3 points and 5 rebounds.
Kingsland speed and Spring Grove fouls were crucial. The Knights defended with 13 steals, which led to most of their 13-to-0 scoring margin with fast breaks. They defended with only eight fouls, three times fewer than the Lions’ season-most 24 fouls. Each team shot 55% from the charity stripe, but Grove was 6 for 11, whereas Kingsland was 18 for 34 – the most free throw makes and attempts of any Lion opponent this season (27 games). With the Lions needing to foul late, the Knights scored nine of their final 11 points from the free throw line.
The Knights aired up 13 shots from 3-point range (4 for 13, 31%). The Lions, playing from behind, fired away from afar nearly twice as often but did not hit enough trey attempts to keep up (5 for 25, 20%).
In the end, it was another double-digit setback against 21-win Kingsland, but with a valiant effort from Spring Grove, it was far more competitive than many expected. The Knights have won 10 straight in the series they now lead, 11 wins to 3.
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SG 49, Kingsland 64
SCORE by HALVES
SG 23+26=49
KHS 30+34=64
TEAM TOTALS:
all FG: SG 32% (19-60), KHS 39% (21-54)
2-pt FG: SG 40% (14-35), KHS 41% (17-41)
3-pt FG: SG 20% (5-25), KHS 31% (4-13)
Free throws: SG 55% (6-11), KHS 55% (18-34)
Rebounds: SG 33, KHS 39; Turnovers: SG 17, KHS 14; 2nd Chance pts: SG 8, KHS 10; Fast break pts: SG 0, KHS 13; Pts. in paint: SG 26, KHS 40; Greatest lead: SG 4, KHS 17; Fouls: SG 24, KHS 8
SG INDIVIDUALS: P-points, R rebounds, A-assists, S-steals, B-blocked shots. Listed in order of jersey number. * starter. *Siri Konkel 2P, 3R, 5A, 3S; *Lydia Solum 7P, 3R, 1B; Brinley Middendorf 2P, 2R, 1B; Kendal VanMinsel out injured; Katie Klug no stats; *Addyson McHugh 9P, 7R, 4A, 2S, 4B; Izabel Kaufmann no stats; Carlie Halverson 3P, 5R, 1S; *Kylie Hammel 19P, 8R, 1S; Layla Kittleson no stats; *Emerson Ingvalson 7P, 5R, 3A
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Spring Grove Girls Varsity Basketball
12-15 (10-8 SEC) * denotes SEC game
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L vs. Lanesboro* 35-62
L at Kingsland*51-70
W vs. Schaeffer Academy* 60-45
W vs. Kee High 50-21
L vs. Grand Meadow* 34-51
L vs. Waukon 33-57
L vs. Annandale 34-60
W vs. West Lutheran 58-43
W at Lyle/Pacelli* 58-45
W vs. Southland*47-36
L at Grand Meadow*20-454
W vs. Mabel-Canton*57-45
L at Houston 49-58
L at Lanesboro*31-36
L vs. Kingsland*30-52
L at St. Charles 53-64
W at Schaeffer Academy*58-54
L at Fillmore Central 31-59
W vs. LeRoy-Ostrander*55-27
L at Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons 40-53
W vs. Lyle/Pacelli*73-47
W at Southland*54-47
L vs. Rushford-Peterson 27-53
W at LeRoy-Ostrander* 66-52
W at Mabel-Canton*60-22
L vs. Houston*48-49
SECTION
L at Kingsland 49-64
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