High School Girls Basketball: Hawks' twin towers shine
Mar. 9—MONTEVIDEO — The Montevideo girls basketball team got the most out of its sophomore twin towers against Minnewaska on Monday night.
The 6-foot duo of Avery Koenen and Hailey Dirksen combined for 42 points in the Thunder Hawks' 65-59 West Central Conference victory over the Lakers from Montevideo High School.
Koenen finished with a game-high 24 points and 17 rebounds and Dirksen poured in 18 points.
"Avery and Hailey, they can score on the inside, they can score on the outside, they can post up and make post moves," Thunder Hawks head coach Anthony Jackson said. "They both had two 3-pointers this evening, which speaks to their ability to stretch the court. ... I think tonight was one of their best nights as far as patience on the post in particular."
Koenen had her hand on every basket of a 9-0 run midway through the first half. After scoring a field goal, she earned an assist on a 3-pointer from Tenley Epema to make it 26-14. Next, Koenen hit a 3-pointer before knocking down a free throw to give the home team its largest lead of the opening half at 30-14.
1 / 6
2 / 6
3 / 6
4 / 6
5 / 6
6 / 6
×
Montevideo matched that cushion when Epema set up Dirksen for a corner 3-pointer to make it 40-24. Koenen scored on the ensuing possession with an up-and-under move in the post to hand the Thunder Hawks their largest advantage at 42-24.
The home team led for most of the game. The visitors cut their deficit to single digits late in the second half, but Montevideo held on for the victory.
"We have the utmost respect for Minnewaska and we knew coming into the game that they were talented enough to beat us," Jackson said. "We got out to an early lead, which helped us calm down a little bit and gain some confidence.
"I thought we played a really good basketball game overall. I would say it was one of our more patient games of the year, offensively, which was fantastic."
Epema had two 3-pointers as part of a 14-point effort.
The Lakers had three players score in double figures, led by Maddie Thorfinnson's 22 points. Isabella Ortendahl had 12 points and Addy Randt added 11. Thorfinnson and Randt each drilled three 3-pointers.
Minnewaska plays Paynesville at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Glenwood. Montevideo plays at 8:05 p.m. Tuesday against Yellow Medicine East in Granite Falls.
West Central
Montevideo 65,
Minnewaska 59
Minnewaska (5-11) 18 41 — 59
Montevideo (12-4) 30 35 — 65
MINNEWASKA — Scoring: Makenna Panitzke 2, Maddie Thorfinnson 22, Addy Randt 11, Isabella Ortendahl 12, Annika Randt 2, Addy Kath 6, Brooke Kolstoe 4 ... 3-point shots: Thorfinnson 3, Ad. Randt 3 ... Rebound leader: N/A ... Assist leader: N/A ... Steal leader: N/A ... Block leader: N/A
MONTEVIDEO — Scoring:Liv Gades 7, Tenley Epema 14, Avery Koenen 24, Keely Foley 6, Hailey Dirksen 18 ... 3-point shots: Gades 1, Epema 2, Koenen 2, Foley 1, Dirksen 2... Rebound leaders: Koenen 17, Dirksen 3, Foley 3, Epema 3 ... Assist leader: N/A ... Steal leader: N/A ... Block leader: N/A
Central Lakes
Fergus Falls 57,
Willmar 52
Willmar lost to the state-ranked Otters at Fergus Falls.
Fergus Falls, ranked eighth in Class A, led 28-22 at halftime, getting 22 points from Ellie Colbeck, a South Dakota State basketball recruit.
"Rough one on the road tonight," Willmar head coach Dustin Carlson said. "I thought we battled hard but under control. Unfortunately, the fouls got called on us in timely situations. Tough one to swallow, but I like how our girls fought until the end."
Mackenzie Jones had 16 points and Sammy Christoffer added 14 for the Cardinals.
Willmar plays Sauk Rapids at 7:15 p.m. Friday at the Big Red Gym.
Willmar (12-3) 22 30 — 52
Fergus Falls (12-3) 28 29 — 57
WILLMAR — Scoring: Sammy Christoffer 14, Ellary lange 2, Mackenzie Jones 16, Callie Slagter 6, Jaida Reiman 6, Ella Shinn 6, Adia Laidlaw 2 ... 3-point shots: Christoffer 1, Reiman 1 ... Rebound leader: Shinn 6 ... Assist leader: Jones 3, Reiman 3 ... Steal leader: Jones 3 ... Block leader: None
FERGUS FALLS — Scoring: Ellie Colbeck 22, Emily Nuss 3, Logan Strom 15, Ainsley Hansen 6, Hannah Polejewski 9, Paige Pearson 2... 3-point shots: Nuss 1, Strom 5 ... Rebound leader: N/A ... Assist leader: N/A ... Steal leader: N/A ... Block leader: N/A
Wright County
NLS 58,
Rockford 43
Senior guard Mackenzie Rich scored a game-high 19 points with six assists and three steals during the New London-Spicer's win against Rockford at New London.
The Wildcats, the top-ranked team in Class AA, improved their record to 17-0.
Finishing with 12 points and 11 rebounds and a pair of blocks, senior center Erin Knisley became the third NLS player this season to reach 1,000 career points. She needed two points to hit the milestone and did so on an uncontested shot in close. Rich and senior forward Emma Hanson scored their 1,000th point earlier this season.
Rockford jumped out to a 17-5 lead early on, but NLS entered halftime with a 24-21 advantage.
The Wildcats outscored the Rockets 34-22 in the second half.
Ava Kraemer put up a double-double with 10 points and a NLS-best 12 rebounds. Hanson added seven points and 11 rebounds.
Makayla Graunke paced Rockford with 11 points.
NLS plays at 7 p.m. Thursday at Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted.
Rockford (6-10) 21 22 — 43
NLS (17-0) 24 34 — 58
ROCKFORD — Scoring: Emma Sather 3, Ava Cusciotta 6, Ellie Sather 10, Aliyah Robran 6, Reagan Pedersen 4, Hannah Stedman 3, Makayla Graunke 11 ... 3-point shots: Em. Sather 1, El. Sather 2, Stedman 1, Graunke 3 ... Rebound leader: N/A ... Assist leader: N/A ... Steal leader: N/A ... Block leader: N/A
NLS — Scoring: Jaden Coahran 2, Avery Rich 2, Izzy Schmiesing 2, Mackenzie Rich 19, Emma Hanson 7, Dakota Rich 2, Courtney Rich 2, Ava Kraemer 10, Erin Knisley 12 ... 3-point shots: M. Rich 2, Hanson 1 ... Rebound leader: Kraemer 12, Hanson 11, Knisley 11 ... Assist leader: M. Rich 6, Coahran 3 ... Steal leader: M. Rich 3, A. Rich 3 ... Block leader: Knisley 2
Litchfield 72,
HLWW 42
Lily Osterberg had 14 points and Sydney McCann and Ryanna Steinhaus each had 12 to help Litchfield to the victory at Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted.
Ivy Fasching had 19 points, including five three-pointers, to lead HLWW.
Litchfield is host to Annandale at 7 p.m. Thursday. It's Litchfield's Senior Night. The Dragons will honor their five seniors, Janessa Olson, McCann, Camry Driver, Osterberg and Sydney Jackman.
Litchfield (9-6) 38 34 — 72
HLWW (1-15) 21 21 — 42
LITCHFIELD — Scoring: Janessa Olson 6, Sydney McCann 12, Ryanna Steinhaus 12, Greta Hansen 4, Sydney Jackman 5, Kayla Kruger 2, Lily Osterberg 14, Kylie Michels 6, Morgan Falling 6, Izzy Pennertz 5 ... 3-point shots: Olson 2, Steinhaus 2, Osterberg 3, Michels 2 ... Rebound leaders: McCann 5, Maggie Boerema 4, Pennertz 4 ... Assist leader: Steinhaus 3 ... Steal leaders: Steinhaus 6, Michels 4 ... Block leaders: none
HLWW — Scoring: Brooke Baumann 1, Madison Mengelkoch 1, Carolyn Remer 7, Ivy Fasching 19, Abby Bloch 3, Abby Niesen 4, Renata Olmos 3, Lily Bobrowske 2, Hailey Baumann 2 ... 3-point shots: Fasching 5, Olomos 1... Rebound leader: N/A ... Assist leader: N/A ... Steal leader: N/A ... Block leader: N/A
Central Minnesota
BBE 57,
EV-W 42
Abby Berge had 21 points and Allisa Knight added 18 to lead Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa to the victory over Eden Valley-Watkins at Belgrade.
Knight also contributed seven rebounds and four blocks.
BBE plays at 7:15 p.m. Thursday at Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City.
EV-W (8-7) 18 24 — 42
BBE (15-1) 33 24 — 57
EV-W — Stats not available
BBE — Scoring: Karsee Kampsen 2, Jackie Lindsay 6, Allie Dingmann 4, Liz French 2, Abby Berge 21, Josie Knutson 2, Harley Roering 1, Allisa Knight 18, Karissa Jones 1 ... 3-point shots: Berge 2 ... Rebound leader: Knight 7 ... Assist leader: French 2, Berge 2 ... Steal leader: Four with 2 ... Block leader: Knight 4
Camden
KMS 53, D-B 14
Nine players scored for Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg in its victory at Dawson-Boyd.
Maret Gjerde led the way for the Fighting Saints with 14 points.
KMS is host to Browerville/Eagle Valley at 7:15 p.m. Thursday in Kerkhoven. Dawson-Boyd plays at 7:30 p.m. Thursday against Yellow Medicine East in Granite Falls.
KMS (5-11) 37 16 — 53
D-B (1-15) 7 7 — 14
KMS — Scoring: Grace Collins 5, Shae Fath 3, Maret Gjerde 14, Julia Carlson 7, Josie Gjerde 5, Shakira Olson 4, Lauren Krieger 8, Katie Klaphake 1, Hayley Demuth 6 ... 3-point shots: Collins 1, Fath 1, M. Gjerde 4, J. Gjerde 1, Demuth 1 ... Rebound leader: M. Gjerde 5 ... Assist leader: M. Gjerde 4 ... Steal leader: Elsa Gjerde 3 ... Block leader: none
D-B — Scoring: Chelsie Husby 4, Paige Conover 2, Ella Johnson 2, Allison Estling 4, Laney Bartunek 2... 3-point shots: Husby 1 ... Rebound leader: Madison Hansen 4, Johnson 4, Kate Dahl 4 ... Assist leader: Rachel Jorgans 1 ... Steal leader: Husby 2, Estling 2, Bartunek 2 ... Block leader: Dahl 1
LQPV 68,
YME 61
Taylor Shelsad had 26 points, six rebounds, five steals and five assists to help Lac qui Parle get past Yellow Medicine East at Granite Falls.
Alex Stitt had 18 points and Camryn Lee 12 points for the Eagles.
YME led 32-31 at halftime. The Sting got 21 points from Hannah Stark, 12 points and 11 rebounds from Ruby Bones and 10 points from Madelynn Luft.
LQPV plays Minneota on Thursday in Madison. YME plays Montevideo at 8:05 p.m. Tuesday in Granite Falls.
LQPV (12-2) 31 37 — 68
YME (2-13) 32 29 — 61
LQPV — Scoring: Macie Lund 8, Addy Bonn 3, Taylor Shelstad 26, Cassidie Olson 1, Camryn Lee 12, Alex Stitt 18 ... 3-point shots: M. Lund 2, Bonn 1, Shelstad 3, Stitt 4 ... Rebound leader: Shelstad 6, M. Lund 6 ... Assist leader: Shelstad 5 ... Steal leader: M. Lund 5, Shelstad 5 ... Block leader: Lee 1
YME — Scoring: Ruby Bones 12, Stella Schuler 9, Madelynn Luft 10, Hannah Stark 21, Brylea Ruff 3, Shelby Mortenson 6 ... 3-point shots: Schuler 3, Stark 4, Ruff 1 ... Rebound leader: Bones 11, Stark 9 ... Assist leader: Ruff 5 ... Steal leader: Schuler 1, Stark 1 ... Block leader: Bones 3, Luft 3, Mortenson 3
MACCRAY 49,
T-M-B 46
Ella Bourne had 23 points and Sydney Thein added 10 to help MACCRAY knock off host Tracy-Milroy-Balaton.
MACCRAY's next scheduled game is against Lakeview at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Clara City.
MACCRAY (10-6) 19 30 — 49
T-M-B (12-4) 20 26 — 46
MACCRAY — Scoring: Ella Bourne 23, Sydney Thein 10, Kaisa Jaenisch 3, Kylee Kimpling 3, Alison Koenen 2, Brynn Lozinski 2 ... 3-point shots: Bourne 3-7, Jaenisch 1-2 ... Rebound leaders: Koenen 8, Gabby Randt 5, Lozinski 4 ... Assist leaders: Jaenisch 4, Thein 3, Bourne 3 ... Steal leader: Bourne 2 ... Block leader: Bourne 1, Randt 1
T-M-B — Stats not available
