Turnovers Doom GM Girls in Section Finals

For half of the game, Grand Meadow’s girls (3-seed, 23-6) played #3 Hayfield (1-seed, 30-0) about even. It was the other half that didn’t go so well at all. The favored Vikings got off to a good start and ended emphatically to take out GM in the 1A girls basketball section title game. Hayfield 5’11” forward Aine Stasko was the story early in the game. With GM concentrating its defense on Kristen Watson and Natalie Beaver, who scored 43 combined points versus Lanesboro in the 1A semis, Stasko gave Hayfield its offense. The senior took six of Hayfield’s first seven shots, nailing a trio of three-pointers. The Vikings got off to a 12-2 start, as the Superlarks had six early turnovers versus Hayfield’s full-court gal-to-gal pressure defense. For the rest of the half, the teams played about even basketball. At halftime, Hayfield led 31-23. The Vikings then started the second half 8-2 to lead by 14 at 39-25. But GM went traditional inside-outside basketball. River Landers, a 6’0” senior center, scored nine points in a 14-2 Lark run that cut Hayfield’s lead to just two at 41-39. GM even had the ball with a chance to go ahead. But the final 12:09 of the contest is largely forgettable for Ryan Queensland’s girls. After combining for a modest 10 first half points,

Watson and Beaver got going post intermission. Watson authored back-to-back steal-and-scores in reply to GM pulling to within two. Beaver followed with an interior post score. Stasko then hit her fifth three of the game. Hayfield went on a 9-0 run to lead by double digits again at 50-39. And the Viking defense was harassing. GM succumbed to the constant pressure. They scored just two points after pulling to down two, a Lauren Queensland basket in the lane. Over the final 12:09, they were 1 of 8 shooting with 11 turnovers. It brought their turnover mark for the game up to 24. The Vikings had 11. Hayfield grabbed the 1A title going away by a final of 65-41. Junior Kendyl Queensland (10 pts, 5-7 FGs) was the only Lark in double figures. All her points came in the first half. She was limited to one second half shot. Landers added 9 points (3-3 FTs), all in the second half. Lexy Foster (8 pts) and Lauren Queensland (7 pts, 9 rebs, 3 asts) helped the Lark cause. Stasko (21 pts, 5-7 threes, 4 asts) was the hero for Hayfield. Watson (17 pts, 6-11 FGs, 5-5 FTs, 4 stls) and Beaver (15 pts, 6-11 FGs, 8 rebs) also hit double figures. Watson had 12 after intermission, Beaver 10. Chelsea Christopherson chipped in 9 (pts) and 5 (asts). GM (17 of 38 > 45%) didn’t shoot terribly, though Hayfield (23 of 44 > 52%) shot better. GM was 15 of 25 from two-point range (60%). The Vikings outdid the Larks from deep, making 8 of 21 threes (38%) to GM’s 2 of 13 (15%). Hayfield was also plus-six at the free throw line, going 11 of 12 (92%) to GM’s 5 of 5. Turnovers were the story, as GM was out-scored 36-4 in the first 6:00 and last 12:09. In those spans, the Larks had 17 of their 24 miscues. Grand Meadow’s excellent season ends at 23-7. It was their furthest play-off progression ever, their first section title game. GM has only two seniors, starting center River Landers and Leah Hanson. Four starters and six of the seven girls to play versus Hayfield will return next year.