File photo by Lee Epps
After halftime, there would be five lead changes and three tie scores before the game-deciding stretch when Spring Grove hit 4 of 5 shots and the visitors went 0 for 7 along with four turnovers against full-court defensive pressure. A steal by Ava Olerud and her fast-break assist pass to Addyson McHugh put the Grove Lions ahead for good, 35-33. McHugh score five points during that game-changing 10-point run, The visiting Lions then cut an eight-point deficit back down to three, but the home team held on to complete the season sweep.
But this highly-competitive rematch was nothing like Spring Grove’s 60-27 runaway win in the season opener at Rochester. While the Schaefer lineup remained the same, Grove was playing without its leading scorer for the season, Jordian Leahy, who had tallied a game-high 17 points in the first meeting. And another starter, Lydia Solum, sat out most of this game in foul trouble. However, returning starter Emerson Ingvalson, who had been on the injured list for the season opener, was in action in the rematch. The freshman guard scored 11 points along with 5 rebounds and 4 steals – one of four Grove girls scoring in double figures. McHugh had the most impressive stat line with 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 blocked shot and 4 assists with only 1 turnover. Eighth grade guard Siri Konkel added 11 points and sophomore Katelyn Kraus 10 points along with 5 rebounds. Freshman Kendal VanMinsel came down with a team-high 7 rebounds.
And as should have been expected, Schaeffer ball-handlers were better prepared to face full-court defensive pressure in game 12 than they were in the opener. After 37 turnovers back in late November, the Schaeffer Lions lost possessions 21 times in early January. And their shooting was greatly improved as well, hitting 33% in the rematch after only 19% in game one. Oddly enough, Schaeffer went 9 for 17 at the free throw line in both contests. From the field, SG shot 39% in both games, including 25% success from 3-point land both times.
There was a pronounced reversal in rebounding fortunes. Grove had been 11 boards better in November, but Schaeffer won the rematch backboard battle, 33 to 27, with 13 boards from sophomore Winona Morgan and 12 caroms collected by sophomore Linnea Ekbom. For the visitors, junior Kate Friese had a game-high 19 points, and Buehler tossed in 15.
After feasting on Schaeffer turnovers for 29 fast-break points back in November, Spring Grove tallied only 7 transition points in the rematch, while the visitors outscored Grove, 13-7, in fast breaks.
Spring Grove improved to 4-8 (4-2 SEC), while Schaeffer left at 2-10 (0-5 SEC). It was the Grove girls’ seventh straight win in the series, which they now lead 23 wins to one. With a roster of only nine players and only seven Schaeffer girls making the trip, there was no B-team game or junior high action.
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>>SCORE by HALVES
>>SG 21 + 28 = 49
>>SA 23 + 19 = 42
TEAM TOTALS:
all FG: SG 39% (19-49), SA 33% (15-46)
2-pt FG: SG 48% (14-29), SA 40% (12-30)
3-pt FG: SG 25% (5-20), SA 19% (3-16)
Free throws: SG 55% (6-11), SA 53% (9-17); Rebounds: SG 276, SA 33; Turnovers: SG 17, SA 21; 2nd Chance points: SG 8, SA 9; Fast break points: SG 7, SA 13; Points in paint: SG 26, SA 27; Greatest lead: SG 9, SA 10; Fouls: SG 16, SA 12; Fouled out: SG – Solum (8:20)
SG INDIVIDUALS: P-points, R rebounds, A-assists, S-steals, B-blocked shots. Listed in order of jersey number. *starter. *Siri Konkel 11P, 1R, 1A, 1S; *Lydia Solum 4P, 4R 1A; Sydney Holland 1A; Ava Olerud 2A, 2S; Kendal Van Minsel 7R, 1A, 1S; *Addyson McHugh 13P, 5R, 4A, 3S, 1B; Kylie Hammel out injured; Jordian Leahy unavailable; *Emerson Ingvalson 11P, 5R, 1A, 4S; *Katelyn Kraus 10P, 5R, 1S
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SEC Girls BB
EAST DIVISION
Lanesboro 3-1 (8-4 season)
Houston 4-2 (7-4 season)
Spring Grove 4-2 (4-8 season)
Mabel-Canton 2-4 (3-9 season)
Schaeffer Academy 0-5 (2-10 season
WEST DIVISION
Kingsland 5-0 (8-6 season)
Grand Meadow 4-1 (8-2 season)
Southland 2-3 (3-7 season)
LeRoy-Ostrander 1-4 (2-7 season)
Lyle/Pacelli 1-4 (1-9 season)
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Spring Grove Girls Basketball 2021-’22 (approximate 7:15 tipoff unless noted) *conference game
>>>4 wins, 8 losses (4-2 SEC)
W at Schaeffer Academy* 60-27
L vs. Decorah, Iowa 14-69
L vs. New Hampton, Iowa 38-57
L at Triton 38-70
L at Houston* 32-58
W vs. Mabel-Canton*43-38
W vs. Southland*54-45
L St. Charles 39-48
L at Lanesboro* 35-58
>>>Rushford-Peterson Christmas Invite
L at Rushford-Peterson 19-61
L vs. Dover-Eyota 37-77
W vs. Schaeffer Academy* 49-42
Tues. 01/11 at Grand Meadow*
Tues. 01/18 Houston*
Thur. 01/20 at LeRoy-Ostrander (non-conference)
Mon. 01/24 at Waukon, Iowa 7:30 pm
Tues. 01/25 Kingsland*
Thur. 01/27 at Mabel-Canton*
Mon. 01/31 Lewiston-Altura
Fri. 01/04 Lanesboro*
Sat. 02/05 at Plainview-Elgin-Millville 1:30 pm
Tues. 02/08 Fillmore Central
Thur. 02/10 Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons
Fri. 02/11 LeRoy-Ostrander*
Mon. 02/14 at Southland (non-conference)
Fri. 02/18 at Lyle/Pacelli* (at Lyle)
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Spring Grove B-team Girls (4-5)
L vs. Decorah 17-36
W at Triton 40-33
L at Houston 32-40
W vs. Mabel-Canton 34-20
L vs. Southland 28-36
W vs. St. Charles 35-27
W at Lanesboro 28-21
L at Rushford-Peterson 9-44
L vs. Dover-Eyota 9-59
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Spring Grove 8th Grade Girls (0-4)
L vs. Lansing Kee 18-46
L at Houston 25-36
L at South Winneshiek 19-23
L at Lanesboro 25-26
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Spring Grove 7th Grade Girls (3-1)
L vs. Lansing Kee 22-31
W at Houston 46-18
W at South Winneshiek 25-13
W at Lanesboro 25-15