The Spring Grove boys (3-1) improved to 2-0 in Southeast Conference play with a 59-37 road rout of Southland on Dec. 17 in Adams. The ultimate point spread was somewhat surprising after a first half that saw six-lead-changes, three tie scores and the Lions’ modest 26-22 halftime lead. But the Lions then revved up the running game and quieted the home crowd by tallying 26 of the first 30 points after intermission.
The Grove guys played with only seven turnovers, four of which came during the final five minutes – well after the issue had been decided. After the score was tied 20-20 late in the first half, Spring Grove went 28 possessions with only one turnover while seizing a 53-28 lead.
Junior guard Tysen Grinde closed with 19 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Sophomore Elijah Solum tossed in 13 points along with 7 rebounds, 2 steals and 4 assists with only one turnover. Senior forward Carson Gerard was the third Lion scoring in double figures with 10 points to go with 5 boards. Sophomore Jaxon Strinmoen added 9 points and 4 rebounds.
The Rebels (2-2, 2-1 SEC) competed best beneath the glass with a 29-28 rebounding margin with 6-foot-5 sophomore Nick Edland pulling down a game-high 11 caroms. With a trio of early treys, Southland senior Eli Wolff went on to lead all scorers with 21 points. His third triple gave the Rebels their largest lead at 19-15. But Spring Grove sophomore Jacob Olerud replied with a 3-ball as four Lions combined to sink 5 of 7 shots heading into halftime.
After shooting 38% during the competitive first half, the Rebels had only 23% success on their home floor after the break and finished with 19 turnovers and only 14 field goals.
The fray began as a 3-point duel over zone defenses. The Rebels buried 4 of 9 early trey attempts but went only 2 for 20 the rest of the night. There was no relief at the foul line as the Lions limited them to only seven free throws (3 for 7).
Spring Grove was a so-so 27% from 3-point land, but went inside the lane for 42 of their 59 points – 14 points with dribble penetrations, 12 points with post passes and 16 points with fast breaks.
Grove has won the last two games in the series with Southland, which the Lions now lead 10 wins to 7. Southland won the B-team game, 51-34, despite 18 points from Spring Grove guard Isaac Nerstad.
>>SCORE by HALVES
>>SG 26 + 33 = 59
>>Sou 22 + 15 =37
TEAM TOTALS:
all FG: SG 43% (21-49), Sou 30% (14-47)
2-pt FG: SG 50% (17-34), Sou 44% (8-18)
3-pt FG: SG 27% (4-15), Sou 21% (6-29)
Free throws: SG 57% (13-23), Sou 43% (3-7); Rebounds: SG 28, Sou 29; Turnovers: SG 7, Sou 19; 2nd Chance points: SG 4, Sou 10; Fast break points: SG 16, Sou 4; Points in paint: SG 42, Sou 19; Greatest lead: SG 27, Sou 4; Fouls: SG 12, Sou 16
>>>SG INDIVIDUALS: P-points, R rebounds, A-assists, S-steals, B-blocked shots. Listed in order of jersey number. * starter. Caleb Griffin 3P, 1R, 1; Isaac Nerstad no stats; *Tysen Grinde 19P, 8R, 4A, 1S; *Hunter Holland 2P, 2R, 4A, 4S; Josh Newgaard no stats; Ethan Crouch 1R, 1A; Logan Brumm no stats; Jacob Olerud 3P, 1S; *Carson Gerard 10P, 5R, 2S, 1B; *Jaxon Strinmoen 9P, 4R, 2S; *Elijah Solum 13P, 7R, 4A, 2S
B-TEAM; SG 34, Southland 51
SG 9 + 25 = 34
Sou 27 + 24 = 51
B-TEAM TOTALS:
all FG: SG 14, Sou 23
2-pt FG: SG 10, Sou 19
3-pt FG: SG 2, Sou4
Free throws: SG 2-4 (50%), Sou 1-6 (17%)
B-TEAM SCORING: Isaac Nerstad 18, Caleb Eiken 4, Zach Brumm 3, Ben Udstuen 3, Troy Reinhardt 2, Ethan Crouch 2, Josh Newgaard 2
Spring Grove Boys Basketball 2021-’22 (*conference game)
3-1 (2-0 SEC)
W vs. New Hampton, Iowa 45-41
W vs. Houston* 71-22
Fri. 12/10 vs. Lyle/Pacelli* postponed to Feb. 18
L at North Linn, Iowa 36-69
W at Southland*59-37
Tues. 12/21 Lanesboro*
>>>Rushford-Peterson Tournament
Tues. 12/28 at Rushford-Peterson, 7 pm
Wed. 12/29 vs. Randolph or Dover-Eyota (at Rushford) time TBD
Tues. 01/04 at Mabel-Canton*
Fri. 01/07 at Schaeffer Academy*
Mon. 01/10 Kingsland (non-conference)
Tues. 01/11 Grand Meadow*
Fri. 01/14 at Fillmore Central (Preston) 7:30 pm
Mon. 01/17 at Houston*
Tues. 01/18 at La Crescent-Hokah 7 pm
Fri. 01/21 at Martin County West (Sherburn) 7 pm
Sat. 01/22 at Madelia 1 pm
Tues. 01/25 at Kingsland*
Thur. 01.27 Waukon
Fri. 01/28 Mabel-Canton*
Thur. 02/03 Glenville-Emmons*
Fri. 02/04 at Lanesboro*
Mon. 02/07 Southland (non-conference)
Fri. 02/11 at LeRoy-Ostrander*
Mon. 02/14 St. Charles
Thur. 02/17 Schaeffer Academy*
Fri. 01/18 Lyle/Pacelli*
B-team Boys Basketball 1-1 (1-1 SEC)
W vs. Houston 45-14
L at Southland 34-51
8th Grade Boys Basketball (2-0)
W vs. Houston 27-23
W vs. Caledonia 30-20
7th Grade Boys Basketball (2-0)
W vs. Houston 44-8
W vs. Caledonia 19-16