MAPLE RIVER 59, TRI-CITY UNITED 51
‘Twas the night before Christmas eve, when all through the state
Only one game was stirring on the GBB slate….
And thus, endeth the Clement Clarke Moore parody attempt.
The only action in the state was south of Mankato at Mapleton, home of Maple River High School (along with the communities of Amboy, Good Thunder, and Minnesota Lake). They were facing a 2AA North foe in Tri-City United (with the Tri Communities of Montgomery, Lonsdale and LeCenter). The Eagles topped the Titans thanks to the ability to generate shots close in, which senior center Ally Bruegger capitalized on to the tune of 32 points. Bruegger, who racked up 21 points in the first 16 minutes of action, scored first and it was her favorite location all night—-the right side block—-where she was 8/9. MR connected strongly inside getting the shots they wanted. TCU also took shots they wanted near the hoop, but with results that did not match the MR efforts. It was almost inverse of Bruegger’s totals (1/11). That in a nutshell was the difference. Both teams shot 50% from the line. However TCU left 10 points on the table. Those points would have come in handy in their rally. After trailing 34-24 at the break, the Titans inched their way back in the game thanks to five 3s from Erica Jackson. With 6:22 left MR had what looked like a safe 49-36 lead. With 27.1 ticks left on the clock it was down to a two possession game with MR up 55-50. The Titans got a choice shot inside on the left block, but TCU’s shooting woes came back to haunt them. Bruegger gathered the rebound, was fouled, and pushed her point totals to 32 with both free throws. The crisis was averted and MR could go home for a long winter’s nap (again with the CCM reference).
Maple River is coached by Devin (Bowlin) Drager. She is the daughter of Winona Cotter coach Pat Bowlin who also has a son (Patrick) coaching the girls at Totino-Grace (also Eagles). It must be in the genes.
Trivia question: What was the mascots of Amboy-Good Thunder, Mapleton and Minnesota Lake plus Montgomery-Lonsdale and LeCenter? Answer at the end of the story.
| MAPLE RIVER | TRI-CITY UNITED | |
| POINTS | 59 | 51 |
| REBOUNDS/OFF | 36/12 | 38/16 |
| TURNOVERS | 16 | 21 |
| 2FGA/% | 45/48.88 | 45/28.88 |
| 3FGA/% | 11/27.27 | 11/45.45 |
| FTA/% | 12/50.00 | 20/50.00 |
| PP100 | 86.8 | 75.0 |
| TOP SCORER | Ally Bruegger 32 | Erica Jackson 17 |
TRENCH PLAYER: MR senior Ally Bruegger with 32 points, 152.4 pp100 and a 40 score in the 31 Club. Bruegger scored ever 1.78 touches and also knocked down two 3s.
Answer: Amboy-Good Thunder Chargers; Mapleton Scots; Minnesota Lake Lakers; Montgomery-Lonsdale Redbirds; LeCenter Wildcats