SPRING GROVE WENT UP AGAINST HENNING IN THE CLASS A BOYS’ STATE TOURNAMENT BASKETBALL SEMIFINAL GAME

On March 22, Spring Grove and Henning squared off in a boys’ state semifinal class 1A basketball game at the Target Center.

As the game got underway both teams looked to push the ball down the floor. Spring Grove passed the ball around the 3-point line as they looked to find an open shot.

Henning pushed the ball down the floor as they looked to layups in transition.

It took a while for each team to get into a shooting rhythm.

Spring Grove started the game in a zone defense. That made Henning pass the ball around the 3-point line to get an open look.

There was a media timeout with 14:34 left in the first half. The score was Spring Grove 6, Henning 2.

Spring Grove’s Caden Grinde came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

After the timeout Henning’s shots started to drop. Henning’s Parker Fraki stepped up and knocked down 3-point shots. He knew where he was on the floor and his teammates got him the ball and he shot it with confidence.

Henning used a full-court press as they tried to make it as difficult for Spring Grove to bring the ball down the floor.

There was a media timeout with 10:53 left in the first half. The score was Henning 14, Spring Grove 10.

Henning used their speed to race down the floor. They were able to make deep 3-point shots. Spring Grove had a difficult time slowing Henning down on the offensive end.

Spring Grove hit a scoring slump midway through the first half. They were not able to make shots that they put up. Henning took advantage of this by making layups in transition.

There was a media timeout with 6:59 left in the first half. The score was Henning 23, Spring Grove 14.

Henning’s Sam Fisher and Fraki both came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. They were not afraid to take the ball to the basket. They also were able to come off screens and get to the basket.

Even though Spring Grove struggled shooting the ball they continued to take the ball hard to the basket.

Henning’s Isaac Fisher stepped up and knocked down 3-point shots.

Spring Grove called a timeout with 3:10 left in the first half. The score was Henning 33, Spring Grove 16.

Spring Grove looked to get the ball into the hand of Ethan Matzke who was posted up on the low block. Matzke looked to make lay-ups from the post. He also wasn’t afraid of contact.

At halftime the score was Henning 37, Spring Grove 16.

As the second half Henning started out strong as they came up with steals and layups.

Spring Grove called a timeout with 16:16 left in the second half. The score was Henning 45, Spring Grove 19.

Spring Grove looked to take deep 3-point shots early in the second half.

There was a media timeout with 14:52 left in the second half. The score was Henning 47, Spring Grove 21.

As the second half wore on Henning continued to take the ball strong to the basket and they came up with layups and jump shots.

There was a media timeout with 12:38 left in regulation. The score was Henning 50, Spring Grove 26.

Henning continued to get to the basket and make shots.

There was a media timeout with 10:13 left in regulation. The score was Henning 54, Spring Grove 26.

Henning used their quickness to get to the basket and hit shots.

Spring Grove couldn’t get into a shooting rhythm. The defensive pressure that Henning applied made it difficult for them to shoot.

There was a media timeout with 6:29 left in regulation. The score was Henning 61, Spring Grove 30.

Henning came up with long passes as they got the ball down the floor well. Spring Grove struggled to shoot throughout the night.

There was a media timeout with 3:21 left in regulation. The score was Henning 63, Spring Grove 34.

Henning was just too much for Spring Grove to handle. Both teams played hard throughout the game. Spring Grove couldn’t keep up with the quickness of Henning or they couldn’t make shots.

Henning came away with the 67-34 victory over Spring Grove.

The leading scorers for Spring Grove were Caden Grinde with 11 points and Kai Bjerke with 9 points.

The leading scorers for Henning were Parker Fraki and Sam Fisher each with 15 points and Isaac Fisher with 14 points.