Five of the seven Journal covered boys basketball teams moved on to the Round of 16. Three won to ensure trips to Rochester and the games at the Mayo Civic Center in the 1A quarterfinals. Rushford-Peterson (3-seed, 16-10) naturally advanced, beating Southland (14-seed, 6-19). Chris Drinkall’s Trojans overcame a 29-26 halftime deficit to deal the Rebels a 66-52 defeat. Frosh Justin Ruberg led the way with 20 points (7-11 FGs, 6-6 FTs, 6 rebs, 4 stls). Landon Skalet (15 pts, 5-6 FTs, 4-6 FGs) and Luke O’Hare (12 pts, 6-8 FTs) also hit double-digits. Kobe Lind added 9 (pts) and 7 (rebs). R-P hit 20 of 24 free throws (83.3%). It’s the 11th time they’ve made greater than 75% at the charity stripe. The Trojans won the regular season meeting with the Reb’s 71-34. R-P moves on to face 6-seed GM (19-8). In Spring Valley, Kingsland (7-seed, 16-10) won its eighth straight game, subduing Tom Bance coached Schaeffer Academy (10-seed, 13-13) by a final of 55-48. Fouls stymied Wyatt Pruter (9 pts, 3-8 FGs). He came in averaging 22.7 PPG. Reid Kruegel (19 pts, 3-12 threes, 6-6 FTs, 6 rebs, 4 stls), Walker Erdman (10 pts, 3-3 FGs, 2-2 threes, 2-2 FTs), and Zach Hauser (9 pts) picked up the slack. Schaeffer was led by Nic Sanger, who had a game-high 22 points. Isaiah Lahr added 10. They were the only Lions with more than eight. John Fenske’s group (17-10) will face 2-seed Randolph (24-2). Finally, Houston (8-seed, 12-14) punched its way to the Med City by scratching past Faribault B.A. (9-seed, 11-13). The ‘Canes overcame a 30-19 halftime deficit to prevail 55-54. Junior guard Alex Van Gundy led the way (17 pts, 4-11 threes, 8 rebs). He eclipsed 1,000 points for his career. Mikkel Schutte (15 pts, 6-10 FGs, 7 rebs) and James Hongerholt (13 pts, 5-5 FGs) helped. Trent Vix’s double-H group (13-14) moves on to face top-seeded Spring Grove (20-4).
Trojans, Knights, Hurricanes Move on in Boys Play-Offs
