Elijah Solum nailed a buzzer-beating, 3-point basket to send the game into overtime, and then the sophomore guard scored the only two points in the extra period as the Spring Grove boys finally prevailed, 39-37, in a titanic defensive duel with visiting Lyle/Pacelli in a showdown of SEC division champions. It was the first matchup ever staged in Spring Grove between two teams which had already won 20 games. The Lions left at 22-3 (14-0 SEC) and closed out an undefeated conference campaign. SG had already clinched the SEC East Division championship, and the Athletics (20-4, 12-2 SEC) had the night before already clinched at least a share of the West Division title.
Photo by Lee Epps
That marquee matchup on Friday, Feb. 18 wrapped up the Lions’ three-win week – all at home – that had started with a 74-19 Monday demolition of one-win Class AA St. Charles and progressed with Thursday’s 64-22 thrashing of Schaeffer Academy, which dropped to 8-13 (5-6 SEC East), including a 58-44 home loss to Spring Grove in early January.
St. Charles (1-19), two years after an impressive string of 20-win seasons, is experiencing almost no scoreboard success this winter with the only win coming against one-win Class A Glenville-Emmons. It was only the second game ever played between the Spring Grove boys and St. Charles. Current SG assistant coaches, Al Lochner and Mike Solum, were both in St. Charles for that one-point Lion win in 1988-89 – Lochner as the coach and Solum as a player. Thirty-three years later, Mike’s son Elijah Solum was a major factor in last week’s long-delayed rematch.
Spring Grove ball-handling and defense continue to be a winning combination. For 10 straight games, the Lions have attacked with single-digit turnovers while defending with double-digit steals. The boys in black did not consistently shoot well from the field, but they were money at the foul line, where they both attempted and made far more than twice as many free throws as did the opposition.
It was also a three-win week for the B-team Lions (15-6) who shelved St. Charles, 61-39, before holding off Schaeffer, 42-38, and Lyle/Pacelli, 47-43.
SG 74, St. Charles 19
Saint Charles was able to attempt only 31 shots while losing possession 30 times against the Spring Grove defense. Oddly enough, the Saints scored first in each half, but they trailed 47-7 at halftime and ended up with only 19 points for the second straight game. After 23 Lion contests this season, St. Charles was the only opponent without a 3-point field goal (0 for 14). The Lions shot a less-than-desirable 21% from deep (5 for 24), but they shot an exceptionally strong 67% (26 for 39) inside the arc. Much of that success came while outscoring the Saints in transition, 26-0. Jacob Olerud had 6 steals and Tysen Grinde 5 while Spring Grove initiated fast breaks with 23 thefts.
Grinde, with a game-high 22 points, outscored the visiting team and with 7 assists, was one of four Lions to pass out helpers with no turnovers. Solum scored 17 points while Jaxon Strinmoen hit 7 of 8 shots to finish with 14 points. Strinmoen harvested 7 rebounds and Grinde 5 while Grove enjoyed a huge 30-to-14 glass-cleaning margin.
The Saints started three sophomores, one junior and one senior with the first substitutes being a pair of juniors. The Lions started two sophomores, two juniors and one senior.
SG 64, Schaeffer Academy 22
After the teams traded 3-point baskets on their first possessions, Spring Grove raced away with an 11-0 run on the way to a 38-16 halftime lead and the ultimate 42-point victory. Three Schaeffer starters had been out with injuries when SG won by 44 points (58-14) in Rochester back in early January. Although that trio combined to score 17 of Schaeffer’s 22 points in the rematch, the final scores of the two games were similar. The visiting Schaeffer Lions used a playing rotation of six seniors and a freshman.
The SG boys shot really well – 56% with 2-point attempts, 41% beyond the arc (7 for 17) and 76% from the free throw line (13-for-17). They outscored the visitors with fast breaks, 21-0. Meanwhile, the defense came away with 21 steals, accounting for most of the visitors’ 26 turnovers. Schaeffer attempted only 31 shots with only 26% success.
Grinde had team-highs with 22 points, 7 steals, 4 assists and with 6 rebounds, shared the glass-cleaning honors with Carson Gerard. Solum added 16 points.
SG 39, Lyle/Pacelli 37 (OT)
The score was tied seven times, including halftime (20-20) as well as at the end of regulation time (37-37). There were nine lead changes, including three during the final two minutes of regulation. Mac Nelson hit a 3-pointer to put L/P ahead, 36-34, with 1:20 to play and with fewer than six seconds remaining, he went to the foul line with a chance to make it a two-possession margin. After a time-out, Nelson hit the first free throw to make it 37-34. After another time-out, Nelson missed – the Athletics’ only missed free throw of the game. It gave the Lions one last chance. Grinde rebounded the miss and passed to Solum, who took one dribble from the half-line while passing two defenders and pulled up at the 3-point arc. The buzzer sounded with the shot in the air – pandemonium! Overtime!
With 2:12 left in the four-minute extra period, Strinmoen passed into the post to Solum, who was fouled while shooting. He netted both free throws. After a missed Lion free throw, L/P had only three and half seconds to get off a shot – a closely-guarded desperation heave at the buzzer. Partly due to steals by Strinmoen and Hunter Holland, the Athletics managed only two shots in overtime – both from 3-point land, both misses.
While free throws were only an inconsequential statistic in the two runaway wins, charity shots were difference in this game; SG was outscored from the field. The only two points scored in overtime came from the foul line. The Athletics missed only one free throw (4 for 5), but they earned only five, while the Lions went 9 for 11 (82%).
It was only the sixth time in 25 games that the Lions were outrebounded and significantly, 23 to 15. Both teams had 13 field goals, but L/P had three more 3-balls. L/P outshot SG from the field 45% to 30%. From 3-point range, the Athletics’ buried 7 of 15, that 47% being the best accuracy of any Lion opponent this season. Spring Grove won by earning the most free throws – and from the field, not by shooting better but by shooting more often. SG had only six turnovers, while L/P lost possession 18 times (13 Lion steals).
In their previous two games, the Athletics had scored 106 points and 60 points. In their previous three games, the Lions had put up 82, 74 and 64 points. But it was almost all defense this night as the two teams, despite playing four extra minutes, combined for the fewest total points in their 38-game history. It has been 12 years since Spring Grove has won with as few as 39 points (since a 39-27 road win at Grand Meadow in the 2009-10 season opener).
Hitting shots was a secondary concern; first, you had to find a shot. It was a half-court grind with only six fast-break points all game. Each team passed and dribbled and probed, trying to penetrate a determined defense.
L/P led 16-11 after Jake Truckenmiller drilled 3 of 4 from downtown to help the Athletics overcome their early turnovers. The Lions rallied to earn a halftime tie (20-20) and then scored the first five points after the break, soon to enjoy their greatest lead of seven points (29-22).
But it was tied again at 31 after Buoy Koak hit the second of his pair of 3-pointers. The Lions had ably defensed the 6-foot-5, long armed, two-time, all-conference standout in the interior, but then he stepped out to the perimeter to become a 3-point threat. Koak finished with a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double.
In the second half, SG limited Truckenmiller to few good looks from the perimeter. He added only two points after intermission, but after burying 4 of 6 treys in the first half, he still finished with a game-high 16 points. Nelson had 9 points. Only six Athletics saw action, all juniors.
Only seven players scored – three Athletics and four Lions. Solum led Grove with 13 points while Gerard added 11 points and a team-high 7 rebounds. Grinde had 10 points and came away with 6 steals. Hunter Holland (5 points) attempted only two shots, but he hit them both – a key, second-half 3-pointer, soon followed by a deep toe-on the-arc 2-pointer.
Each team was in an extra period for the first time in two years, during the 2019-20 season when the Lions had four overtime games and L/P two. One of those was a 67-60 overtime win for the Athletics over visiting Spring Grove. The Lions are now 35-3 all-time versus the shared L/P program after going 9-5 against Lyle.
VARSITY vs. ST. CHARLES
>>SCORE by HALVES
>>SG 47 + 27 = 74
>>SC 7 + 12 = 19
TEAM TOTALS:
all FG: SG 49% (31-63), SChas 31% (9-29)
2-pt FG: SG 67% (26-39), SChas 60% (9-15)
3-pt FG: SG 21% (5-24), SChas 0% (0-14);
Free throws: SG 78% (7-9), SChas 1-4 (25%); Rebounds: SG 30, SChas 14; Turnovers: SG 5, SChas 30; 2nd Chance points: SG 16, SChas 4; Fast break points: SG 26, SChas 0; Points in paint: SG 51, SChas 19; Greatest lead: SG 55, SChas 2; Fouls: SG 9, SChas 8
SG INDIVIDUALS: P-points, R rebounds, A-assists, S-steals, B-blocked shots. Listed in order of jersey number. *starter. Caleb Griffin 4P, 4R, 2S; Isaac Nerstad 5P; *Tysen Grinde 22P, 5R, 7A, 5S; *Hunter Holland 4P, 1R, 3A, 1S; Josh Newgaard 2P, 3R, 1A; Ethan Crouch 1R, 3S; Logan Brumm 3R, 1A, 2S; Jacob Olerud 2P, 2R, 3A, 6S; Bryce Berns absent; *Carson Gerard 4P, 2R; *Jaxon Strinmoen 14P, 7R, 1A, 2S; *Elijah Solum 17P, 2R, 2A, 2S
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VARSITY vs. SCHAEFFER
>>SCORE by HALVES
>>SG 38 + 26 = 64
>>SA 16 + 6 = 22
TEAM TOTALS:
all FG: SG 50% (22-44), SA 26% (7-27)
2-pt FG: SG 56% (15-27), SA 26% (5-19)
3-pt FG: SG 41% (7-17), SA 25% (2-8)
Free throws: SG 76% (13-17), SA 67% (6-9); Rebounds: SG 24, SA 16; Turnovers: SG 9, SA 26; 2nd Chance points: SG 14, SA 0; Fast break points: SG 21, SA 0; Points in paint: SG 37, SA 12; Greatest lead: SG 42, SA 0; Fouls: SG 13, SA 12
SG INDIVIDUALS: P-points, R rebounds, A-assists, S-steals, B-blocked shots. Listed in order of jersey number. *starter. Caleb Griffin 5P, 2R, 2A, 3S, 1B; Nathan Crouch out injured; Isaac Nerstad 3P, 1R; *Tysen Grinde 2P, 6R, 4A, 7S; *Hunter Holland 3P, 1R, 3A, 3S; Josh Newgaard no stats; Ethan Crouch 3R; Logan Brumm 2P, 1S; Jacob Olerud 2P, 1R, 1A; Bryce Berns out illness; *Carson Gerard 5P, 6R, 2A, 1B; *Jaxon Strinmoen 6P, 4R, 1A, 4S, 1B ; *Elijah Solum 16P, 1A, 3S
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VARSITY vs. LYLE/PACELLI
>>SCORE by HALVES
>>SG 20 + 17 (+ 2) = 39
>>L/P 20 + 17 (+ 0) = 37
TEAM TOTALS:
all FG: SG 30% (13-43), L/P 45% (13-29)
2-pt FG: SG 31% (9-29), L/P 43% (6-14)
3-pt FG: SG 29% (4-14), L/P 47% (7-15)
Free throws: SG 82% (9-11), L/P 80% (4-5); Rebounds: SG 15, L/P 23; Turnovers: SG 6, L/P18; 2nd Chance points: SG 10, L/P 7; Fast break points: SG 4, L/P 2; Points in paint: SG 21, L/P 17; Greatest lead: SG 7, L/P 5; Fouls: SG 12, L/P 9
SG INDIVIDUALS: P-points, R rebounds, A-assists, S-steals, B-blocked shots. Listed in order of jersey number. *starter. Caleb Griffin 1S; *Tysen Grinde 10P, 4R, 2A, 6S, 1B; *Hunter Holland 5P, 3S; Logan Brumm no stats; Jacob Olerud 1R; *Carson Gerard 11P, 7R; *Jaxon Strinmoen 2S; *Elijah Solum 13P, 3R, 4A, 1S
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B-TEAM vs. ST. CHARLES
>>SG 35 + 26 = 61
>>SC 20 + 19 = 39
all FG: SG 45% (24-53), SChas 39% (17-44)
2-pt FG: SG 43% (13-30), SChas 55% (12-22)
3-pt FG: SG 48% (11-23), SChas 23% (5-22)
Free throws: SG 67% (2-3), SChas 0% (0-0)
Rebounds: SG 32, SChas 16; Turnovers: SG 9, SChas 11; Greatest lead: SG 22, SChas 2; Fouls: SG 1, SChas 3
B-TEAM INDIVIDUALS: P-points, R rebounds, A-assists, S-steals, B-blocked shots. Listed in order of jersey number. * starter. Caleb Eiken 5P, 1A, 1S; Nathan Crouch out injured; Kohl Betcher 3P, 1R; *Isaac Nerstad 20P, 2R, 2A, 1S; *Ethan Crouch 2P, 10R, 7A, 5S, 1B; *Ben Udstuen 4P, 5R, 1A; Troy Reinhardt 2R, 2A; *Josh Newgaard 12P, 3R, 1B; Zach Brumm 2R, 3A; *Jacob Olerud 11P, 1A; Bryce Berns absent; Ezra Griffin 3R, 1A; Gavin Ostern 4P, 2R; Shawn Crouch 1R
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B-TEAM vs. SCHAEFFER
>>SG 20 + 22 = 42
>>SA 18 + 20 = 38
all FG: SG 37% (16-43), SA 42% (13-31)
2-pt FG: SG 46% (11-24), SA 38% (8-21)
3-pt FG: SG 26% (5-19), SA 50% (5-10)
Free throws: SG 63% (5-8), SA 54% (7-13); Rebounds: SG 22, SA 14; Turnovers: SG 13, SA 14; Greatest lead: SG 13, SA 4; Fouls: SG 11, SA 11
B-TEAM INDIVIDUALS: P-points, R rebounds, A-assists, S-steals, B-blocked shots. Listed in order of jersey number. *starter. Caleb Eiken no stats; Nathan Crouch out injured; *Isaac Nerstad 8P, 3R, 1A, 2S, 1B; *Ethan Crouch 6P, 7R, 2A, 3S, 4B; Ben Udstuen 6P, 2R, 1A, 2S; Troy Reinhardt 2R; *Josh Newgaard 12P, 5R, 2A; Zach Brumm 2P, 2A, 2S; *Jacob Olerud 4P, 1R, 3A, 2S; Bryce Berns out illness; Ezra Griffin 2P; *Gavin Ostern 2P, 2R, 2A, 1B; Shawn Crouch out injured
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B-TEAM vs. LYLE/PACELLI
>>SG 20 + 27 = 47
>>L/P 16 + 27 = 43
all FG: SG 44% (18-41), L/P 37% (17-46)
2-pt FG: SG 58% (14-24), L/P 43% (12-28)
3-pt FG: SG 25% (4-17), L/P 28% (5-18)
Free throws: SG 50% (7-14), L/P 67% (4-6)
Rebounds: SG 22, L/P 24
Turnovers: SG 11, L/P 15
Greatest lead: SG 6, L/P 3
Fouls: SG 7, L/P 11
B-TEAM INDIVIDUALS: P-points, R rebounds, A-assists, S-steals, B-blocked shots. Listed in order of jersey number. *starter. Caleb Eiken no stats; Nathan Crouch out injured; *Isaac Nerstad 7P, 1R, 4A, 2S, 1B; *Ethan Crouch 4P, 8R, 7A, 2S, 3B; *Ben Udstuen 6P, 1R, 1A, 1S; Troy Reinhardt no stats; *Josh Newgaard 7P, 2R; Zach Brumm 5P, 2R, 1S; *Jacob Olerud 6P, 3R, 2A, 4S; Bryce Berns 2P, 1A; Ezra Griffin no stats; Gavin Ostern 10P, 5R, 2A, 1B; Shawn Crouch out injured
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SEC Boys BB
>>EAST DIVISION
Spring Grove* 14-0 SEC (22-3 season)
Lanesboro 7-5 SEC (14-9 season)
Schaeffer Aca. 5-6 SEC (8-14 season
Mabel-Canton 3-9 SEC (8-16 season)
Houston 1-11 SEC (1-22 season)
*division champion
^has clinched at least a share of West title
>>WEST DIVISION
Lyle/Pacelli^ 12-2 SEC (20-4 season)
Southland 10-3 SEC (14-6 season)
LeRoy-Ostrander 8-5 SEC (15-8 season)
Kingsland 6-8 SEC (10-14 season)
Grand Meadow 5-8 SEC (9-15 season)
Glenville-Emmons 0-14 SEC (1-22 season)
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Spring Grove Boys Basketball 2021-’22 (*conference game)
22-3 (14-0 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
W vs. Lanesboro* 70-34
>>>Rushford-Peterson Christmas Invite
L at Rushford-Peterson 41-53
W vs. Dover-Eyota 44-33
W at Mabel-Canton* 67-32
W at Schaeffer Academy*58-14
W vs. Kingsland (non-conference) 50-35
W vs. Grand Meadow* 44-40
Fri. 01/14 at Fillmore Central (Preston) ppd. to 2-25-22
W at Houston*72-24
W at La Crescent-Hokah 56-41
L at Martin County West 33-41
W at Madelia 53-23
W at Kingsland*63-38
W vs. Waukon 55-52
W vs. Mabel-Canton*87-22
W vs. Glenville-Emmons*91-34
W at Lanesboro*54-40
W vs. Southland (non-conference) 51-38
W at LeRoy-Ostrander*82-49
W vs. St. Charles 74-19
W vs. Schaeffer Academy* 42-38
W vs. Lyle/Pacelli* 47-43
Fri. 02/25 at Fillmore Central (Preston) postponed from Jan. 14
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B-team Boys Basketball 15-6 (12-4 SEC)
W vs. Houston 45-14
L at Southland 34-51
W vs. Lanesboro 49-33
L at Rushford-Peterson 31-59
W vs. Dover-Eyota 44-33
W at Mabel-Canton 47-30
L at Schaeffer Academy 33-34 overtime
W vs. Kingsland 32-19
W vs. Grand Meadow 49-15
W at Houston 48-23
L at La Crescent-Hokah 39-43
W at Kingsland 48-36
W vs. Waukon 51-29
W vs. Mabel-Canton 39-35
W vs. Glenville-Emmons 58-25
L at Lanesboro 47-51
L vs. Southland 31-38
W at LeRoy-Ostrander 55-16
W vs. St. Charles 61-39
W vs. Schaeffer Academy 42-38
W vs. Lyle/Pacelli 47-43
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Freshmen Boys Basketball (2-1-1)
W at La Crescent-Hokah 36-20
T at Kingsland 36-36
W vs. Mabel-Canton 29-19 (played only one half)
L vs. Southland 27-42
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8th Grade Boys Basketball (5-5)
W vs. Houston 27-23
W vs. Caledonia 30-20
L vs. Lanesboro 21-40
W at Mabel-Canton 54-41
W at Houston 34-21
L vs. Mabel-Canton 17-36
L at Lanesboro 31-49
L at Caledonia 31-43
W vs. (Lansing) Kee 34-23
L at LeRoy-Ostrander 27-32
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7th Grade Boys Basketball (13-1)
W vs. Houston 44-8
W vs. Caledonia 19-16
W vs. Lanesboro 39-16
W at Mabel-Canton 60-11
W at Schaefer Academy 43-2
W vs. Kingsland 42-18
W vs. Grand Meadow 44-11
W at Houston 51-9
W vs. Kingsland 39-26
W vs. Mabel-Canton 38-16
W at Lanesboro 35-20
L at Caledonia 33-34
W vs. (Lansing) Kee 40-32
W at LeRoy-Ostrander 54-