MOUNTIAN IRON-BUHL TOOK ON MARANATHA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY IN THE CLASS A CHAMPIONSHIP

Mountain Iron-Buhl High School took on Maranatha Christian Academy High School in the girls' state High School State tournament championship game.

The game got off to a quick start as each team raced up and down the floor. It took a while for each team to get into their offensive rhythm.

Maranatha looked to score easy baskets in transition.

At the first media timeout of the game the score was MIB 6 and Maranatha 2.

Both teams played very well on the defensive end. Neither team gave up shots. MIB was able to frustrate Maranatha on the offensive end.

MIB called a timeout with 12:42 left in the first half. The score was MIB 6 and Maranatha 4.

The score went back and forth throughout the first half. Neither team gave up easy shots in the first half. Both teams shot the ball inside the three-point line.

Both teams traded baskets. I thought that both of these teams played very hard and well on both ends of the floor. Neither team gave up easy shots.

With 6:43 there was a media timeout the score was Maranatha 18 and MIB 10.

Maranatha kept the pedal to the mettle late in the first half. They kept on hitting shots from inside the key. They were not able to find the basket in the first half. They however didn't get down on themselves.

At the media timeout with 3:40 left in the first half the score was Maranatha 23 and MIB 12.

Maranatha continued their dominance of MIB late in the first half.

The score at halftime was Maranatha 23 and MIB 17. Maranatha shot 10-28 from the field including going 3-9 from behind the three-point line. They were 3-9 from behind the three-point line. They brought down a total of 15 rebounds including 12 on the defensive end. The leading scorer was Alexis Long with 7 points.

MIB shot 6-27 from the field. That included going 0-4 from behind the three-point line. They were 5-6 from the free-throw line. They brought down a total of 26 rebounds including 16 on the defensive end. Sarah Overby was the leading scorer with 6 points in the first half.

As the second half got underway MIB came up on fire. They were able to hit shots that they put up. Everyone touch the ball and they hit lay-up after lay-up.

The game was tied at 25 with 14:30 left in regulation. At the first media timeout of the second half the score was tied at 25.

The score continued to go back and forth as the defensive pressure intensified late in the second half. Neither team gave up easy shots.

Maranatha got some easy lay-ups midway through the second half. Everyone got the ball and they were patient on the offensive end.

Each teams brought a great student section.

With 6:33 left in regulation there was a media timeout. The score was Maranatha 37 and MIB 31.

Neither team gave up. I thought that each team laid everything out on the line. Neither team gave up easy shots.

With 3:39 left in regulation the score was Maranatha 40 and MIB 35.

Maranatha did a good job of getting Onye Osemenam was all over the floor. She got her shot going inside the three-point line and was able to hit shots that she put up throughout the game.

In a hard fought game Maranatha came away with the 49-37 hard fought victory over Mountain Iron Buhl.

The leading scorer for MIB was Dakotah Winans with 12 points. They shot 15-60 from the field that included going 1-9 from behind the three-point line. They brought down 54 rebounds including 33 on the defensive end.

The leading scorers for Maranatha were Alexi Long with 7 points and Lexi Lee with 6 points. Maranatha shot 10-28 from the field including going 3-9 from behind the three-point line. They brought down a total of 15 rebounds including 12 on the defensive end.

PROVIDENCE ACADEMY TOOK ON PEQUOT LAKES IN THE CLASS AA GIRLS STATE SEMIFINALS

Providence Academy took on Pequot Lakes in the class AA girls semifinals of the 2012 Minnesota State High School League state tournament. Providence got out to a quick 9-2 start and Pequot Lakes called a timeout with 15:21 left with the score 9-2.

Providence Academy got red hot as they were able to score from everywhere on the floor. They moved the ball well as they got into their offense

AnnMarie Healy was not able to make her shots which made it impossible for her team to be competitive.

Providence passed the ball the ball well looking for their shots early and often. They had the lead for the whole first half.

With 2:26 left in the first half the score was Providence Academy 26 and Pequot Lakes 6 there was a media time out.

At halftime the score was Providence Academy 34 and Pequot Lakes 6. Providence shot 15-31 from the field or 48 percent including going 3-7 from behind the three-point line. Pequot Lakes shot an atrocious 2-20 from the field including going 0-2 from behind the three-point line.

At the start of the second half both teams came out strong. Providence continued look to get baskets in the lane.

The game went to the mercy rule with 8:00 left in regulation the score was Providence Academy 54 and Pequot Lakes 18.

The Minnesota High School Basketball Mercy Rule is if a team is ahead by 35 or more points, the game
will shift to running time at 9 minutes in the second half.

Despite being outmanned Pequot Lakes didn't give up. They kept on fighting even though they were not able to score baskets. In a game that wasn't even a contest Providence Academy pounded Pequot Lakes by the final score 61-32. Providence Academy called off the dogs so to speak as they played more of their second team players during the final 8 minutes in the game.

The leading scorers Providence Academy were AnnMarie Healy with 15 points, Nathalie Ratliff with 13 points and Taylor Finley 11 points. They shot 27-53 from the field that included going 3-7 from behind the three-point line. They were 4-10 from the free throw line. They brought down a total of 40 rebounds including 24 on the defensive end.

The leading scorers for Pequote Lakes were Mattie Lueck with 10 points and Kayla Miller with 9 points. They shot 11-42 from the field including going 2-7 from behind the three-point line. They brought down a total of 22 rebounds including 12 on the defensive end. 

NEW RICHLAND TOOK ON SAUK CENTRE IN SEMIFINAL ACTION

New Richland-H-EG took on Sauk Centre in the semifinals of the Minnesota State High School League state tournament. New Richland came into the game with a record of 31-0 while Sauk Centre had a record of 26-4.

At the first media timeout with 14:46 left in the first half the score was Sauk Centre 4 and New Richland 2.

Both teams took their time on the on the offensive end. Neither team jacked up quick shots. It was a very physical game. Both teams dove on the floor after loose balls and rebounds.

Sauk Centre went on a run after the first media timeout. They were able to string baskets together.

At the second media timeout with 10:30 left on the clock the score was Sauk Centre 10 – New Richland 5.

The score went back and forth midway through the first half. Sauk Centre strung some points together midway through the first half.

Sauk Centre played mostly zone defense in the first half. They didn't want New Richland to score any easy baskets.

Both of these teams brought a lot of fans with them. They each showed pride in their teams. Both student sections cheered loud and for their teams. The NRHEG brought a huge crowd with them. I thought that there band sounded great and they brought a whole grip of fabulous cheerleaders.

At the final media timeout with 3:16 left to go in the first half the score was Sauk Centre 20 and New Richland 12. New Richland was 9-30 from the field and 2-12 from behind the three-point line in the first half. Sauk Centre was 11-26 from the field and 2-6 from behind the three-point line in the first half.

Both teams raced up and down the floor late in the half. The score at halftime was Sauk Centre 24 and New Richland 20.

As the second half gets underway Sauk Centre comes out on fire. They were able to get everyone involved in the offense.

Carlie Wagner was all over the court for New Richland. Her teammates knew where she was on the floor and they were able to get her the ball where ever she wanted it.

New Richland was not able to hit shots throughout the game. Sauk Centre ran away with the game from the start the final of the game was Sauk Centre 56 and New Richland 39. The leading scorer for New Richland was Carlie Wanger with 21 points. They were 14-60 from the field that included going 4-27 from behind the three-point line.

Sauk Centre was lead in scoring by Kali Peschel and Macy Weller each with 18 points. They shot 20-51 from the field that included going 5-19 from behind the three-point line.

THE HOPKINS ROYALS TOOK ON THE EASTVIEW LIGHTNING IN THE CLASS AAAA STATE SEMIFINAL GIRLS' BASKETBALL GAME

The Hopkins Royals came into the state semifinal game with a record of 28-1. The Eastview Lighting came into the game with a record of 25-5.

The game got off to a quick start. The Royals got out to a quick 6-0 run as they were able to pick off passes and convert them into points.

The Lightning started the game in a man-to-man defense in an attempt to prevent Hopkins from getting into their offensives sets.

Hopkins took their time on the offensive end. They looked to pass the three-point line probing for openings. Even though Eastview started out cold they continued to put up a good effort.

Hopkins Sydney Coffey was all over the floor. Her teammates made a concerted effort to get her the ball often.

Hopkins kept on scoring at will. They were able to get everyone involved in the offense. Eastview threw multiple defensive looks at the Royals but Hopkins was able to counter any defensive sets that the opponent tried to utilize. Eastview’s offense was anemic which allowed Hopkins to take a 20 point lead into the locker room at halftime.

At halftime the score was Hopkins 33 and Eastview 13.

Eastview was not able to get into their offensive rhythm due to the Royals stifling defensive pressure. Hopkins was a step quicker in every aspect of the game. Despite being outplayed in the game the Lightnings put up a determined effort. This is a great game for fans to understand, good, coaching and effort still need good talent to attain victories.

More time in the gym and working out in the off season should help the Lightnings improve for next year.

At the first media timeout of the second half the score was Hopkins 41 and Eastview 13.

Hopkins continued their dominance on the scoring end. They looked like a polished group and they looked like a team.

Hopkins called off the dogs midway through the second half and ran a lot of time off the clock. Eastview was able to hit a few shots late in the contest.

Hopkins ran away with the 55-31 victory over Eastview. Eastview was led in scoring by Madison Guebert with 7 points and Hopkins was led in scoring by Sydney Coffee with 15 points and Nia Coffee and Taylor Anderson with 10 points.

THE SAUK CENTRE MAINSTREETERS TOOK ON WORTHINGTON TROJANS IN THE GIRLS STATE BASKETBALL CLASS AA QUARTERFINAL GAME

The Sauk Centre Mainstreeters went up against the Worthington Trojans at the Target Center in a girls' basketball quarterfinal game. Going into to the game the Mainstreeters had a record of 25-4. The Trojans had a record of 19-7.

The game got off to a slot start as each team had difficulty hitting shots. They were not used to playing in a big venue like the Target Center.

After a few adjustments the Mainstreeters took a quick 10-2 lead with 12:54 left in the first half. That is when the Trojans called its first timeout to calm everyone down.

The Trojans kept ran their offense looking for openings in the middle or around the perimeter. They did a good job or taking care of the ball.

The Mainstreeters controlled the pace of the game from the outset. They didn't let the Trojans get any shots up. The Trojans were putting up shots but nothing was falling. Their shot attempts were not horrible as much as their shooting skills were simply not good enough.

The Trojans were simply unable to muster any offense in the first half. Most of it has to be attributed to the good defense that was played by the Mainstreeters.

It looked like to me that Sauk Center knew what their opponents plays and were well prepared to defend their opponents offensive sets.

The Trojans called a timeout with 6:03 left in the first half. The score was Sauk Centre 23 and Worthington 7.

Worthington came to life after the timeout. The Trojans put up 16 points in the remaining minutes of the first half and held the Mainstreeters to only 8 points in the final 6 minutes.

At halftime the score was Worthington 22 and Sauk Centre 31.

There was no crowd energy throughout the game. The crowd was thin and there was very little support shown at this game. Sauk Centre was up big and they cruised throughout the game. Sauk Centre ran its offensive sets and took good shots down the stretch.

Worthington was not able to hit enough shots to stay in the game. Mackenzie Gerber played well for the Trojans but it was not enough to bring home the win.

Sauk Centre came away with the 65-51 victory over Worthington.

The leading scores for Worthington were Mackenzie Gerber with 18 points, Kristen Anderson with 15 points, and Bernadette Boever with 8 points. They shot 18-58 from the field or a paltry 31%. That included going 1-12 or an atrocious .08% from behind the three-point line. They were 14-25 from the free-throw line.

The leading scorers for Sauk Centre were Kali Peschel with 14 points, Macy Weller with 13 points and Ashley Gruber with 12 points. They shot 23-55 from the field or a respectable 42%. That included going 7-19 from behind the three-point line which was 37 percent.. They were 12-27 from the free-throw line.

THE FERGUS FALLS OTTERS TOOK ON THE MINNEAPOLIS DeLaSALLE ISLANDERS IN A GIRLS STATE SEMIFINAL STATE BASKETBALL GAME

The Otters from Fergus Falls who came into the game with a record of 29-1 took on the Islanders of Minneapolis DeLaSalle who had a record 26-3 going into the game.

Both of these teams looked very focused going into the game. The head coaches were also very focused. Faith Patterson for DeLaSalle had music playing on an iopd before the game to help her concentration on the game.

Fergus Falls passed the ball around the three-point line as the DeLaSalle defense looked to push them out side of the three-point line.

Fergus Falls hit shots early and they got an early 10-4 lead. That was the score with 13:56 left in regulation at the first media timeout.

DeLaSalle went to a trapping defense after the timeout. They also picked up in a full court man-to-man defense. They wanted to make it hard on the Otters to hit shots.

At the media timeout the score was Fergus Falls 15 and DeLaSalle 7.

DeLaSalle's Tyseanna Johnson was all over the floor she was not afraid to shoot the ball from inside the paint. The Islanders managed to close the gap through by getting defensive stops and making their shots.

Fergus Falls passed the ball around the three-point line. They got everyone involved in the offense early. Fergus Falls dribbled around the DeLaSalle defenders as they were able to get easy baskets in the paint.

There was a media timeout with 6:52 left in the first half. The score was Fergus Falls 19 and DeLaSalle 15.

Both teams were strong with the basketball. Neither team gave up easy shots. Both teams dove on the floor after loose balls and they both went hard after rebounds on both ends of the floor.

The game was close throughout the first half.

At the media timeout with 3:16 left in the first half the score was Fergus Falls 22 and DeLaSalle 20.

The score went back and forth late in the first half and a defensive battle where both of the teams didn't crack late in the first half. In a fast pace game that went back and forth the score at halftime was DeLaSalle 28 and Fergus Falls 25.

As the second half got underway both teams kept their composure. DeLaSalle came out on fire to start the second half. They were able to get a few baskets off of turnovers.

At the first media timeout of the second half the score was DeLaSalle 34 and Fergus Falls 30.

After the timeout DeLaSalle went to a full court press. They were able to confuse Fergus Falls on offense.

Fergus Falls called a timeout with 12:19 left in the second half. The score was DeLaSalle 38 and Fergus Falls 33.

DeLaSalle was able to get some easy baskets in transition. They held the ball after the timeout and looked to burn time off of the clock. Fergus Falls went to man-to-man defense.

DeLaSalle called timeout with 11:01 left in regulation. The score was DeLaSalle 43 and Fergus Falls 33.

Fergus Falls looked to trap the ball as soon as DeLaSalle got it over the half court line. That didn't seem to phase DeLaSalle. The guards were very strong with running their offensive sets.

Johnson for DeLaSalle continued to be a force. She was all over the floor on the offensive end. She was not afraid to shoot the ball and she hit shots that she put up.

Fergus Falls called a 30 second timeout with 6:55 left in regulation. The score was DeLaSalle 47 and Fergus Falls 38.

It was a very physical game. The medical staff for both teams had their work out in for them throughout the game. No one was seriously hurt or injured during the game.

Fergus Falls tried to make a comeback in the end but DeLaSalle was able to hold off Fergus Falls down the stretch. Fergus Falls did however try to make a run late in the contest in the end though DeLaSalle came away with the 59-51 victory over Fergus Falls.

The leading scorers for Fergus Falls were Mariah Monke with 13 points and Sydney Schultz with 12 points. Fergus Falls shot 19-46 from the field that included going 2-9 from behind the three-point line. They shot 11-17 from the free-throw line. They were able to bring down a total of 34 rebounds including 25 on the defensive end. Their bench chipped in with 6 points.

The leading scorers for DeLaSalle were Tyseanna Johnson with 16 points, Mariah Adanene with 14 points and Mia Loyd with 12 points. DeLaSalle shot 22-53 from the field that included going 1-11 from behind the three-point line. They shot 14-20 from the free-throw line. They were able to bring down a total of 30 rebounds 20 of them on the defensive end. There bench chipped in with 14 points.