Photo by Lee Epps
A last-second three-pointer by Spring Grove sophomore Elijah Solum sent the key SEC game between the Lions (21-3) and Lyle/Pacelli (20-3) into overtime, tying it for the seventh time at 37-37 after a 20-20 halftime stalemate. Then two Solum free throws, the only points scored in OT, won it for SG, 39-37. The defensive duel was a rare regular-season matchup between two 20-win teams. The Lions are the SEC East champions (14-0). The Athletics (12-2 SEC) had clinched a share of the SEC West. L/P shot better, 45% (13 of 29) to 30% (13 of 43), but the Lions shot more. L/P had 18 turnovers, three times more than SG (6), which was in single digits for a 10th straight game. Only seven players scored – three Athletics and four Lions. Solum (13 pts, 4 asts), Carson Gerard (11 pts, 4-6 FGs, 2-2 FTs, 7 rebs), and Tysen Grinde (10 pts, 5-6 FTs, 6 stls) led the Lions. Jake Truckenmiller (16 pts) and Buay Koak (12 pts, 10 rebs) paced L/P. It was the 17th time SG held an opponent under 40 (17-0). That marquee matchup capped a three-win homestand. It began with a 74-19 thrashing of one-win Class AA St. Charles. Lion stat leaders were Grinde (22 pts, 9-17 FGs, 7 asts, 5 stls), Solum (17 pts, 6-10 FGs), and Jaxon Strinmoen (14 pts, 7-8 FGs, 7 rebs). The Lions led 47-7 at half, shot 49% (31 of 63), and grabbed 23 steals in notching win #20. Then SG completed a SEC sweep of Schaeffer Academy, 64-22. Grove outscored SA in transition, 21-0. Grinde (22 pts, 4-9 threes, 6 rebs, 4 asts, 7 stls) had a big game. Solum (16 pts) also hit double figures. The Lions shot 50% (22 of 44) from the field, 41% (7 of 17) from deep, and 76% (13 of 17) from the line. SG (14-0, 22-3) has swept their SEC schedule. Wade Grinde’s group has won 11 straight.