THIEF RIVER FALLS WENT UP AGAINST HUTCHINSON IN THE CLASS 3A GIRLS’ STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

On March 15, Thief River Falls and Hutchinson squared off in a girls’ basketball state Class 3A game.

Thief River Falls started the game in a zone defense. They wanted to spread Hutchinson out and make them take deep 3-point shots.

Thief River Falls did a good job of getting everyone involved in the offense. 

The defensive pressure that Thief River Falls applied made it difficult for Hutchinson to make shots that they put up.

Hutchinson called a timeout with 7:05 left in the first half. The score was Thief River Falls 15, Hutchinson 4.

Thief River Falls continued to come up with layups and mid-range jump shots late in the first half.

At halftime the score was Thief River Falls 27, Hutchinson 23. 

As the second half got underway Thief River Falls attacked the basket and came up with layups and jump shots. 

Hutchinson also came up with huge shots as they were able to close the deficit. 

There were many ties and lead changes midway through the second half. 

Hutchinson continued to push the ball down the floor and make mid-range jump shots and layups. 

Neither team went on a huge run late in regulation. 

Thief River Falls came away with the 61-59 victory over Hutchinson.

THIEF RIVER FALLS WENT UP AGAINST ORONO IN A GIRLS’ CLASS 3A STATE QUARTERFINAL GAME

Theif  River Falls (TRF) and Orono squared off in a girls’ state Class 3A quarterfinal game.

 Orono pushed the ball down the ball down the floor as they looked to make baskets in transition.

Orono’s Meghan Mandel and Kiera Nelson came up with mid-range jump shots and layups midway through the first half. 

Orono was quicker than TRF. TRF struggled to shoot the ball in the first half. Even though they struggled to shoot the ball they were not afraid to shoot the ball.

TRF spread the ball around. TRF’s Makayla Peterson, Kylea Praska, Jenna Tadych, Tiahna Nicholson and Meleah Biermaier all were able to make mid-range jump shots and layups in the first half.

Orono did a good job of moving the ball down the floor. Everyone was able to get their hands on the ball. Orono did a good job of communicating with everyone on the floor.

At halftime the score was Orono 35, TRF 24.

As the second half got underway Orono really came out running. They were able to keep everyone involved in the offense. 

Orono’s Meghan Mandel came up with mid-range jump shots and layups throughout the second half.

Orono was too much for TRF. Orono came away with the 70-42 victory over TRF. 

Orono was lead in scoring by Nelson with 18 points, Mandel with 13 points and Rudd with 11 points.

The leading scorers for TRF were Biermaier with 11 points and Brekke with 10 points.

THIEF RIVER FALLS WENT UP AGIANST MINNEAPOLIS SOUTHWEST IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On Jan. 30, Thief River Falls and Minneapolis Southwest squared off in a boys’ basketball game.

Going onto the game TRF had a record of 12-6 while Southwest had a record of 4-15.

TRF looked to score baskets in transition.

Southwest called a timeout with 16:03 left in the first half. The score was TRF 9, Southwest 2.

TRF’s Dominic Kruse and Jacob Joppru came up with huge shots. They scored TRF’s first 12 points.

TRF used a tough man-to-to-man. They wanted to force Southwest to take deep shots.

Southwest’s Keion Alexander came up with mid-range jump shots and layups.

The score went back and forth midway through the first half. There were many loose ball tie ups in the first half.

TRF called a timeout with 10:07 left in the first half. The score was Southwest 25, TRF 23.

Joppru continued to come up with deep 3-point baskets. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball where he could shoot it.  

The score went back and forth for a period of time in the first half.

Southwest’s A.J. Ray came up with mid-range jump shots and layups late in the first half.

At halftime the score was TRF 46, Southwest 43.

As the second half got underway TRF continued to make layups. TRF continued to make layups.

TRF came up with charges in the second half.

Southwest called a timeout with 12:58 left in regulation. The score was TRF 63, Southwest 54.

TRF went to a 1-3-1 zone defense. That caused problems for the Southwest defense.

Alexander came up with huge shots. The defense had a hard time slowing him down.

Brown came up with big shots late in the game.

TRF called a timeout with 3:40 left in regulation. The score was Southwest 77, TRF 74.

The score went back and forth late in the game. There were several ties and lead changes in the final 3:40.

Joppru came up with huge baskets late in the game. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball late in the game.

Overall I thought that both teams played well throughout the game. Southwest moved the ball well down the floor and they communicated well with each other throughout the game.

I also thought that TRF played hard throughout the game. They were able to get through the

Southwest defense. TRF was able to get Joppru the ball in spots where he could shoot the ball.

TRF came away with the 84-82 victory over Southwest.

The leading scorers for Southwest was Alexander with 28 points.

The leading scorer for TRF was Joppru with 37 points.