3A SUBSECTION FINALS

Three is better than two. No, I am not talking seeds since these were both 1s v 2s and the favorites won. I am talking about weapons and balance. Both number one seeds moved on thanks to a trio of scorers while the teams packing their bags relied heavily on two. Another similarity in the wins came at the free throw line. The winners attempted more and made more than the other team attempted. In the mascot battle the Eagle brand didn’t have the same carry over effect as they split on the night.

3A SOUTH FINAL

SOUTHWEST MN CHRISTIAN 74, HILLS-BEAVER CREEK 66

Last Thursday #1 seed SWC saw a lead they held most of game slip through their fingers at Worthington. Friday night was a switch as they were the ones that rallied from a seven point second half deficit to stop upset minded Hills-Beaver Creek in the 3A south final. The Patriots, with their first appearance in the subsection final, held a 59-52 lead with 8:41 remaining in the game. It looked like they had weathered the storm since their six point half time lead disappeared to a 49 all tie. The 10-3 Patriot run was to be their last shining moment. HBC was riding the efforts of Sidney Fick and Grace Bundesen to their lead plus the reach of 6-2 center Whitney Elbers. The Eagles surged back into the game with some long distance sniping avoiding the blocks Elbers was providing. Jazylnn Prins opened the comeback with a 3, and then Emily Nerem scored another after the Eagles picked up an offensive rebound. Prins added and old fashioned 3 point play to cut the margin to 63-61. After Emily Nerem tied it at 63 Hannah Nerem scored to put the Eagles in front to stay with 4:40 left. SWC had a 22-7 finish to the contest.

One factor in the SWC win was turnover differential. The Eagles were a +10 on the charts.

SWC moves on to their third straight final at 24-4. HBC is 21-6. The Patriots will bring back three of the key players in this year’s run.

3A NORTH FINAL

MINNEOTA 72, LAC QUI PARLE VALLEY 57

The first top 10 was destined to fall in this contest. #7 Minneota topped #8 Lac Qui Parle Valley for the second time this season. For the past two years Minneota was laboring in AA and out of post season discussions. Now they are back in familiar territory. And the Minneot template has not moved that much. They still have a post player that is strong and active. Taylor Reiss was the Vikings focus inside in the past. This year that role is filled by Lydia Sussner. Sussner ended up with 20, and she was joined by Abby Hennen with 21 (and both were 31 Club members). Lizzy Gillingham was right behind at 18. By contrast LQPV had two players hit for double figures, both diminutive guards. Haley Wollschlager carried the load for the Eagles in the first half as the seniors they rely on either were in foul trouble or not finding the bottom of the basket. In the second half Kelsea Lund, a 2000 point career scorer, finally got on track. LQPV was able to score inside and shot a solid 56% from two point range, but their arc game only gave them three 3s.

It was a tight back and forth game in the first half. Minneota didn’t get full control the 3:07 mark of the first half when Gillingham had an &1 opportunity (24-23). The Vikings would not relinquish the lead the rest of the night. By half Minneota had added five more points (29-23). LQPV kept it close (42-38), but in the course of five possessions Minneota increased their margin to 13 thanks to a 13-4 run. Minneota scored on their last seven possessions and kept LQPV in the rear view mirror.

Minneota absolutely dominated the boards. The Vikings had a two inch advantage over the Eagles and they used it for a +19 margin in rebounds. LQPV only had 2 offensive boards all night.

Minneota is now 24-4; LQPV finishes the year at 26-4.

Minneota was the biggest fish (#129) out there tonight I have not charted and that is the prime reason for the trip. Three new teams were crossed off as a result. The SW corner of the state has been getting plenty of attention lately with the trip to SF Lincoln two Saturdays ago, then the nightmare trip to (mainly back) from Worthington and Monday’s journey to Tracy.

Team	PP100	scorer	Distributor	D stops
SW MN Christian	100.0	Emily Nerem 19	Jazlynn Prins 8	Hannah Nerem 8
Hills-Beaver Creek	91.7	Sidney Fick 26	Grace Bundesen 10	Grace Bundesen 13
Minneota	116.1	Abby Hennen 21	Abby Hennen 10	Lydia Sussner 13
Lac Qui Parle Valley	93.4	Haley Wollschlager 22	Haley Wollschlager 6	Three with 5

TRENCH PLAYER:

GAME 1: 5-8 sophomore guard Jazlynn Prins of SWC

GAME 2: 5-9 freshman Abby Hennen of Minneota