Cory Van Briesen was surprised.
 

Walking into the Adrian High School gym at 3:40 p.m., Van Briesen saw a sight he didn’t expect to see. 
 

People waiting for the Adrian’s highly-anticipated game with Ellsworth — a game that didn’t start for another four hours.
 

“I knew it was going to be full, but I didn’t anticipate or expect it to be like that,” Van Briesen said. “Close to halftime of the B-game it got really full. It was pretty full by the time the B-game even started. To tell you the truth, I was really surprised, I walked in the gym at 20 to 4, and there was about half a dozen people getting their spots picked out.”
 

An hour before the game started, people were trying to squeeze in anywhere possible. By that time, anyone who didn’t have a seat wasn’t getting one.
 

“They’ve never had to bring folding chairs out and made people stand in the doorways before,” Van Briesen said. “That’s by far the most people that have ever been in there. I’ve been here since it’s been built and it’s never been that full.”
 

Van Briesen is in his first year at the helm of the Dragon program, but has spent 10 years as an assistant, and has seen every game since the gym was built seven years ago.
 

“Just the atmosphere itself was just incredible,” Van Briesen said. “It was definitely a playoff-type atmosphere. The fan support for both communities this year for the boys’ basketball program has been phenomenal. It was fun.
 

“Adrian’s gym has never held that many people before. That was the fullest I’ve seen that gym; that was great.”
 

Fans were sitting in aisles, on folding chairs in the doorways, and some were even sitting on the floor, trying to get a glimpse of the game in a gym which seated approximately 850 people — a number that was more than surpassed.
 

“You take that as a compliment to your program a little bit, too, and what the boys have done on both teams,” Van Briesen said. “People wouldn’t pack the house for just any game like that. It was definitely a tribute to both the teams.”
 

And the game didn’t disappoint.
 

“We had our chances,” Van Briesen said. “We put ourselves in a position at the end of the game to win it. That’s all we ever ask of the kids — to be in a situation to win at the end. A lot of times we like our chances if we can get there. Things just didn’t go our way down the stretch there, but that’s why you play the game.”
 

With the score tied at 61-all with less than a minute remaining in the game, Ellsworth’s Tom Nolte made a steal and layup, giving Ellsworth a lead en route to a 67-63 victory.
 

“I talked to several people (Wednesday) and they said win or lose it was a great game,” Van Briesen said. “Everybody I talked to said they were glad they came. Everybody definitely got their money worth. We wanted it to be a good game and everything it was hyped up to be came true. That’s good, that’s the way you want it to be.
 

“It’s a rivalry, but it’s kind of a fun rivalry. I don’t think there is any bad blood, it’s just two teams getting after it and seeing what happens.”
 

While the varsity game proved to be the main event in a heavyweight bout, the B-squad players were able to enjoy a little of the excitement.
 

“I think it was quite an awakening for them,” Van Briesen said of the B-squad. “I kind of talked to them after the game, too, and said, ‘Hey, this is what it’s all about. This is why you play the game, to get people to come out and watch you play.’ It was good for them actually. As they mature and get a little bit older, to play in a tournament-like setting, what a great way to start getting ready for it and get used to it.”
 

Even Adrian’s coach thought he would be nervous.
 

“To tell you the truth, I thought once the game started I thought that I was going to have more nerves than I actually did, with the big game and stuff,” Van Briesen said. “But once you walk in the gym and the fans are going nuts and music is playing, our kids were doing a white-out so they were all dressed in white in our student section, at that point, it was like, ‘This is fun, why am I nerv-ous? Let’s get after it.’”
 

As Adrian enjoyed the support Tuesday, it wasn’t anything new for the Dragons this season.
 

“For boys’ basketball, being a first-year head coach and being in the program prior years, I’ve never seen the boys’ basketball sup-port like it is this year,” Van Briesen said. “It’s just phenomenal. It’s not just the big games; it’s every game, whether it’s a home or away game. I told my players that it’s a tribute to them and what they’ve done and the things they’ve accomplished. It’s nice to have that backing and people being excited about boys’ basketball.”
 

Ellsworth earned the No. 1 seed in the Section 3A South tournament, while Adrian earned the second seed. Meaning the two teams might meet again.
 

“We’ll just take it one game at a time and hopefully we’ll be fortunate enough to get there,” Van Briesen said. “If not, that doesn’t take anything away from what we have accomplished this year.”
 

The game would be played March 14 at 2:30 p.m. at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall.
 

After a tough home loss to Minneapolis North, the Worthington girls’ basketball team dropped to No 8 in this week’s poll. The Lady Polars remain at No. 10.

Sandwiched between the two teams is Willmar, which is the No. 2 seed in the Section 2AAA tournament.

The Trojans eanred the No. 1 seed and will face New Ulm in the opening round of the tournament, starting March 3.

Adrian is No. 3 in Class A.

On the boys’ side, Ellsworth, which is coming off a highly-competitive game against Adrian, is No. 5 this week with a 21-2 record.

The Minnesota girls’ high school basketball rankings, as provided by Minnesota Basketball News, a statewide basketball publication. Records are through Tuesday.
Class 4A
1. Minneapolis South (23-2)
2. Centennial (23-2)
3. Hopkins (24-2)
4. Lakeville North (19-6)
5. Chaska (21-4)
6. Armstrong (20-4)
7. Woodbury (21-3)
8. Eden Prairie (16-9)
9. St. Paul Central (19-5)
10. Richfield (22-3)
Class 3A
1. New Prague (21-4)
2. Totino-Grace (23-2)
3. Hill-Murray (20-5)
4. Minnehaha Academy (23-2)
5. DeLaSalle (20-5)
6. Waconia (19-5)
7. Orono (21-4)
8. Worthington (21-2)
9. Willmar (20-3)
10. Minneapolis North (14-7)
Class 2A
1. Jordan (23-2)
2. East Grand Forks (24-1)
3. Caledonia (24-0)
4. New London-Spicer (24-1)
5. Eden Valley-Watkins (23-1)
6. Fairmont (21-1)
7. Dover-Eyota (24-2)
8. Rochester Lourdes (20-4)
9. Winona Cotter (21-4)
10. Hayfield (19-6)
Class 1A
1. Barnum (25-0)
2. Ada-Borup (23-1)
3. Adrian (24-1)
4. New Life Academy (21-4)
5. Brandon-Evansville (21-1)
6. Hancock (17-3)
7. Parkers Prairie (19-3)
8. Cedar Mountain-Comfrey (23-2)
9. Bigfork (21-2)
10. Red Lake County Central (22-1)

The Minnesota boys’ high school basketball rankings, as provided by Minnesota Basketball News, a statewide basketball publication. Records are through Tuesday.
Class 4A
1. Hopkins (22-0)
2. Henry Sibley (21-2)
3. St. Cloud Tech (23-0)
4. Robbinsdale Cooper (22-1)
5. Osseo (21-2)
6. Eden Prairie (19-4)
7. Tartan (19-4)
8. Wayzata (18-4)
9. Edina (20-3)
10. Buffalo (18-5)
Class 3A
1. Mankato West (21-1)
2. St. Paul Johnson (20-3)
3. St. Cloud Apollo (21-3)
4. Minneapolis Washburn (17-5)
5. Delano (18-3)
6. Grand Rapids (19-3)
7. Annandale (16-5)
8. Waconia (16-6)
9. Monticello (16-6)
10. Marshall (17-7)
Class 2A
1. Pelican Rapids (23-0)
2. Plainview/Elgin-Millville (25-1)
3. St. Bernards (20-3)
4. Minnehaha Academy (22-2)
5. Virginia (22-1)
6. MACCRAY (23-0)
7. Minnesota Valley Lutheran (24-1)
8. Crosby-Ironton (21-2)
9. Morris Area (18-3)
10. Redwood Valley (17-5)
Class 1A
1. Granada-Huntley-East Chain (20-0)
2. Minnesota Transitions (22-2)
3. Chisholm (22-1)
4. Bethlehem Academy (23-2)
5. Ellsworth (21-2)
6. Park Christian (21-1)
7. Sebeka (18-2)
8. Bertha-Hewitt (21-1)
9. Norman County East (20-3)
10. Spring Grove (19-3)
 

 Every Monday, Daily Globe sports reporter Matt Huss will hand out awards and highlight the best and the worst in prep sports from the past week.

As tournament time approaches, the games and individual performances keep getting better. The past week featured two basketball players score 1,000-plus career points, an area wrestling team earn a berth in the state tournament, a dramatic overtime victory in a boy’s basketball game that featured two buzzer-beating shots, an improbable comeback in a girls’ basketball game, and a plethora of incredible matchups and games. The madness that normally is reserved for March appears to be starting earlier in 2009.

TOP INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE

Girls’ Basketball:

Erica Thier, Adrian: The senior guard scored a game-high 34 points Tuesday night to lead the Dragons in a 73-41 victory over Ellsworth.

HONORABLE MENTION

Krystle Sell, Red Rock Central: The senior guard had 30 points, 10 assists and six steals Thursday night to lead the Falcons to an 86-49 victory over Round Lake-Brewster.

Boys’ Basketball:

Travis Mattson, Windom: The sophomore forward scored a game-high 32 points and added four rebounds and three assists Saturday to lead the Eagles in an 82-64 victory over Martin County West.

HONORABLE MENTION

Mike Felt, Redwood Valley: The senior guard had 30 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks to lead the Cardinals in a 95-67 victory over Jackson County Central on Friday.

Trevor Gruis, Ellsworth: The junior center had 20 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks to lead the Panthers in a 58-31 victory over Edgerton on Friday.

Wrestling:

Jordan Schroeder, Worthington: The senior heavyweight was on the mat for fewer than 45 seconds Tuesday, pinning both of his opponents early in the first period during the Section 3AA South tournament in Worthington on Tuesday.

BEST MATCHUP

Adrian vs. Windom/Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin (Wrestling): In a battle between two of the top wrestling teams in the area, Adrian earned a 34-20 victory in the Section 3AA final in Marshall to earn a trip to the state tournament after a one-year absence.

The Cobras won the section last year and advanced to the state tournament.

The Dragons, who defeated the Cobras 30-23 earlier this season in Adrian, took an early 6-0 lead after Nate Lynn pinned Derek Swoboda in their 103-pound match.

Drake Borsgard evened the score with a pin against Ben Mulder, but Adrian took a 13-6 lead after receiving victories from Dru Strand and Jake Dorn.

Josh Falk and Sam Fischenich answered with victories for W/ML/B-O to even the score at 13-13. Luke Tiesler won an 11-9 decision for Adrian at 140 pounds, and Billy Hochstein won a 6-4 overtime decision at 145 to make it 16-16.

Adrian took a 22-16 lead after victories via decision from Neal Mulder and Stephen Loosbrock, but Spencer Johnson won a 21-8 major decision to pull the Cobras to within two points.

Shea Klooster responded by winning a 10-4 decision at 189, and Trent Slater sealed the Dragons’ victory with a pin at 215 pounds.

HONORABLE MENTION

Luverne vs. Windom Area (Girls’ hockey): In perhaps the most heated hockey rivalry in the area, the two Southwest Conference foes faced off Tuesday night in the Section 3A playoffs, with each team attempting to reach the section championship for the first time in its program’s history.

Eagles senior center Sara Luhmann became the first Windom Area hockey player – boys or girls – to record 200 career points, but the Cardinals scored four unanswered goals en route to a 4-1 victory.

Katie Eeten, an eighth-grader, notched the equalizer early in the second period, and Kat Dahl scored the winner on an assist from Mikki Fitzer. Amanda Niessink and Pagie Olson also added goals.

Kelsey Theesfeld made 13 saves in goal to lead the third-seeded Cardinals, and Brooklyn Drahota made 39 stops for the second-seeded Eagles.

Adrian vs. Southwest Christian (Girls’ basketball): In a matchup of two of the hottest teams in the Red Rock Conference, Adrian escaped with a 62-61 road victory.

Southwest Christian, which entered on a nine-game winning streak and was looking to avenge a 10-point loss to the Dragons earlier this season in Adrian, suffered just its third RRC loss of the season and fell to third place in the conference standings behind Adrian and second-place Red Rock Central.

Adrian, which extended its winning streak to five games and stayed undefeated in the conference, made 21 free throws in the victory. The Eagles made six.

BEST GAME

Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 51, Minneota 49 (OT): Josh Soupir hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to send the game into overtime, and Walker Schaar drilled an 18-footer with two seconds remaining in overtime to seal the Panthers’ dramatic victory and their third consecutive Camden Conference South Division championship.

Minneota had a chance to make it a two-possession game with five seconds remaining in regulation but missed a free throw. Soupir then raced upcourt and drilled a pull-up 3-pointer as time expired.

Each team went scoreless in the overtime session until Schaar connected on a baseline jumper.

Minneota scored just 12 points in the first half before going on a 37-23 run to take a three-point lead in the closing seconds.

HONORABLE MENTION

Marshall 52, Worthington 50 (Boys’ basketball): The Trojans rallied from a seven-point deficit in the final minutes and tied the score at 50-50 on a jumper by Matt King with 1:34 remaining in the game.

Worthington then recorded a defensive stop and called a timeout with 25.7 seconds remaining. But Marshall forced a turnover and regained possession with 18 seconds remaining. The Tigers went inside to James Petrich, a 6-foot-4 junior, who hit a contested shot from the left block with four seconds remaining. The Tigers then recorded a steal at midcourt to secure the victory.

Pipestone Area 72, Southwest Christian 70 (Boys’ basketball): Eric Stark made two free throws with 13 seconds remaining Tuesday night to give the Arrows a two-point lead, and Southwest Christian missed two shots on the other end, including a potential game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Stark, who was fouled in the closing seconds on a drive to the hoop, finished with 15 points. Shelby Jones had 17 points and six rebounds, and Shandon Jones added 14 points and five rebounds for the Arrows.

Zach Huisken scored 19 points, and Nic Pfeifle added 16 for the Eagles, who battled back from a 10-point deficit at halftime.

BEST COMEBACK

Fulda (Girls’ basketball): The Raiders scored a season-low 14 points in the first half and trailed by 21 points at halftime at home against Edgerton.

The Flying Dutchmen eventually took a 39-16 lead early in the second half, but the Raiders went on a 41-13 run to end the game and earn a 57-52 victory.

Edgerton, which went 8-for-11 from the 3-point line in the first half, made just one 3-pointer in the second half. Fulda, meanwhile, hit six 3-pointers in the second half.

LATE GAME HERO

Josh Soupir, Walker Schaar, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton boys’ basketball team: Soupir drilled a 3-pointer at the buzzer to send the game into overtime, and Schaar scored the only two points of the extra session on a baseline jumper with two seconds remaining to lead the Panthers to a dramatic 51-49 victory over Minneota.

HONORABLE MENTION

Trent Slater, Adrian’s wrestling team: With two weights remaining in the Section 3AA championship and the Dragons leading by five points, Slater needed a victory to seal the win and punch Adrian’s ticket to the state tournament.

The sophomore 215-pounder went above and beyond, pinning his opponent in 5:55 and giving the Dragons an insurmountable 11-point lead going into the final match of the evening.

The Dragons, who are going to the state tournament after a one-year absence, defeated the defending Section 3AA champions 34-20.

Andrea DeBoer, Ellsworth’s girls’ basketball team: The sophomore guard drove to the hoop and drew a foul with eight-tenths of a second remaining Thursday night, earning two opportunities from the free-throw line to break a 51-51 tie.

DeBoer connected on her first attempt, giving the Panthers their first lead since they held a 1-0 advantage in the opening minute, and propelling them to a one-point victory over Hills-Beaver Creek.

DeBoer finished with 12 points.

STATISTICAL SPOTLIGHT

0 – 3-pointers made in 13 attempts by Ellsworth’s boys’ basketball team in a 58-31 victory over Edgerton on Friday. It was the first time this season – in 22 games – that the Panthers did not connect on a 3-pointer

2 – Combined points scored by Tracy-Milroy-Balaton’s and Minneota’s boys’ basketball teams in overtime Friday night. The Panthers earned a 51-49 victory after Walker Schaar drilled a baseline jumper with two seconds remaining in overtime

2 — Area gymnasts who qualified for the state tournament. Jackson County Central’s Briel Hendricksen finished second (9.525), and Sydnee Donnelli placed fourth (9.15) in the floor excercise in the Section 3A gymnastics meet on Saturday to advance to the state tournament.

3 – Players who scored 17 points to lead Adrian’s girls’ basketball team in a 62-61 victory over Southwest Christian on Thursday. Erica Thier, Karli Meyer and Katy Slater each scored 17

5, 6 – 3-pointers made and attempted Thursday by Kayla Vander Veen to lead Worthington’s girls’ basketball team in a 70-48 victory over Jackson County Central

5, 18 – Field goals made and attempted in the second half Thursday night by Jackson County Central’s girls’ basketball team in a 70-48 loss to Worthington

7 – Players in the history of Worthington’s girls’ basketball program who have surpassed 1,000 career points. Junior guard Gabby Boever reached the milestone on Thursday in a 70-48 victory over Jackson County Central, joining teammate Holli Aggen, who reached the milestone as a junior last season

8 – Pins recorded by Fulda/Murray County Central wrestlers in a 68-12 victory over Fairmont in the second round of the Section 3AA South tournament on Tuesday. Elissa Reinsma, Austin Kluis, Derek Platt, Ben Loosbrock, Justin Reinsma, Jordan Anderson, Travis DeLong and Andy Henning each recorded falls for the Warriors

8 – Offensive rebounds pulled down by Matt Buntjer to lead Ellsworth’s boys’ basketball team in an 82-70 victory over Hills-Beaver Creek on Monday

10, 10 – Assists and rebounds by Sam Lynn to lead Adrian’s girls’ basketball team in a 73-41 victory over Ellsworth on Tuesday

10 – Seconds it took Worthington heavyweight Jordan Schroeder to pin his Windom/Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin opponent on Tuesday during a Section 3AA South wrestling tournament match in Worthington

11, 14 – Free throws made and attempted by Danny Parsley in the second half Friday night to lead Adrian’s boys’ basketball team to a 72-65 victory over Southwest Christian

12 – Points scored in the first half Friday night by Minneota’s boys’ basketball team in a 51-49 overtime loss to Tracy-Milroy-Balaton

14 – Points scored – a season-low – in the first half by Fulda’s girls’ basketball team against Edgerton on Thursday. The Raiders stormed back to record a 57-52 victory

14 – Points scored in the first half by Edgerton’s boys’ basketball team in a 58-31 loss to Ellsworth on Friday

14, 0 – Points scored and allowed by Fulda’s boys’ basketball team to open the second half Friday en route to a 77-45 victory over Red Rock Central

15 – Rebounds pulled down by Alyson Drooger to lead Edgerton’s girls’ basketball team in a 70-50 victory over Hills-Beaver Creek on Tuesday

16 – Unanswered points scored by Worthington’s boys’ basketball team midway through the first half in en route to a 70-55 victory over Jackson County Central on Tuesday

16, 44 – 3-pointers made and attempted by Fulda’s boys’ basketball team in a 77-45 victory over Red Rock Central on Friday night

18 – Players who scored Monday night in a boys’ basketball game between Adrian and Fulda

23 – Point deficit overcome by Fulda’s girls’ basketball team in the second half en route to a 57-52 victory over Edgerton on Thursday

25 – Points scored by Kyle Lewis to lead Murray County Central’s boys’ basketball team in a 60-48 victory over Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin on Monday

25 – Points scored by Bailey Bouman to lead Pipestone Area’s girls’ basketball team in a 72-54 victory over Marshall on Tuesday

26 – Points scored by Brian Tjepkes to lead Adrian’s boys’ basketball team in an 88-76 victory over Fulda on Monday

26 – Points scored by Jayme Plimpton to lead Hills-Beaver Creek’s girls’ basketball team in a 52-51 loss to Ellsworth on Thursday

26 – Points scored by Mason Comnick to lead Westbrook-Walnunt Grove’s boys’ basketball team in a 75-51 victory over Russell-Tyler-Ruthon on Saturday

27 – Points scored by Brian Tjepkes to lead Adrian’s boys’ basketball team in a 76-69 victory over Windom on Thursday

27, 3 – Points scored and allowed by Southwest Star Concept’s girls’ basketball team to start the game Thursday night against Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin. The Quasars, who took a 29-9 lead at halftime, went on to earn a 59-38 victory

34,11 – Points scored and allowed by Southwest Star Concept’s boys’ basketball team to end the first half Monday night en route to a 55-43 victory over Red Rock Central

53 – Percent shooting (25-for-47) from the field by Windom’s boys’ basketball team in a 66-56 victory over Luverne on Tuesday

95 – Points scored – a season-high – by Redwood Valley’s boys’ basketball team in a 95-67 victory over Jackson County Central on Friday

200 – Career points recorded by Sara Luhmann, a senior center on Windom Area’s girls’ hockey team. Luhmann scored a goal in the final game of her career, a 4-1 loss to Luverne in the Section 3A tournament, to become the only hockey player in Windom Area history – boys or girls – to reach the milestone

1,005 – Career points scored by Jace Jarmer after finishing with 15 points Monday night to lead Westbrook-Walnut Grove’s boys’ basketball team to a 79-42 victory over Round Lake-Brewster

1,008 – Career points scored by Gabby Boever after the junior guard scored 11 on Thursday night to lead Worthington’s girls’ basketball team to a 70-48 victory over Jackson County Central
 

The Worthington girls’ basketball team remained at No. 5 this week in the Class 3A polls. Adrian is No. 3 in Class 1A. 

Minneapolis North, which Worthington faces Saturday, is No. 10 in Class 3A.

On the boys’ side, Ellsworth is the only area team ranked, as the Panthers are No. 6 this week.

The Minnesota girls’ high school basketball rankings, as provided by Minnesota Basketball News, a statewide basketball publication. Records are through Tuesday.

Class 4A
1. Minneapolis South (22-2)
2. Centennial (21-2)
3. Armstrong (18-3)
4. Hopkins (22-2)
5. Lakeville North (18-6)
6. Chaska (19-4)
7. Richfield (20-2)
8. Bloomington Kennedy (17-5)
9. Eden Prairie (15-8)
10. Woodbury (18-3)
Class 3A
1. New Prague (18-4)
2. Totino-Grace (22-1)
3. Hill-Murray (18-4)
4. Minnehaha Academy (21-2)
5. Worthington (19-1)
6. DeLaSalle (18-5)
7. Waconia (17-5)
8. Orono (19-4)
9. Willmar (19-3)
10. Minneapolis North (12-7)
Class 2A
1. Jordan (20-2)
2. East Grand Forks (22-1)
3. Caledonia (24-0)
4. New London-Spicer (22-1)
5. Eden Valley-Watkins (21-1)
6. Rochester Lourdes (20-2)
7. Fairmont (20-1)
8. Dover-Eyota (21-2)
9. Sauk Centre (21-1)
10. Hayfield (18-5)
Class 1A
1. Barnum (21-0)
2. Ada-Borup (21-1)
3. Adrian (21-1)
4. New Life Academy (18-4)
5. Brandon-Evansville (20-0)
6. Hancock (16-2)
7. Parkers Prairie (17-3)
8. Cedar Mountain-Comfrey (22-2)
9. Bigfork (19-2)
10. Red Lake County Central (19-1)
 

The Minnesota boys’ high school basketball rankings, as provided by Minnesota Basketball News, a statewide basketball publication. Records are through Tuesday.
Class 4A
1. Hopkins (20-0)
2. Henry Sibley (19-2)
3. St. Cloud Tech (20-0)
4. Robbinsdale Cooper (20-1)
5. Osseo (19-2)
6. Eden Prairie (17-4)
7. Tartan (16-4)
8. Edina (19-2)
9. St. Paul Central (15-5)
10. Wayzata (16-4)
Class 3A
1. Mankato West (19-1)
2. St. Paul Johnson (18-3)
3. St. Cloud Apollo (20-2)
4. Minneapolis Washburn (14-5)
5. Spring Lake Park (18-3)
6. Grand Rapids (17-2)
7. Marshall (15-6)
8. Delano (16-3)
9. Monticello (15-5)
10. DeLaSalle (13-5)
Class 2A
1. Pelican Rapids (20-0)
2. Plainview/Elgin-Millville (23-1)
3. St. Bernard’s (18-3)
4. Minnehaha Academy (20-2)
5. Virginia (19-1)
6. MACCRAY (20-0)
7. Minnesota Valley Lutheran (22-1)
8. Crosby-Ironton (20-2)
9. Redwood Valley (16-3)
10. Morris Area (15-3)
Class 1A
1. Granada-Huntley-East Chain (18-0)
2. Minnesota Transitions (19-2)
3. Chisholm (20-1)
4. Bethlehem Academy (20-2)
5. Bertha-Hewitt (20-0)
6. Ellsworth (19-2)
7. Park Christian (19-1)
8. Sebeka (15-2)
9. Norman County East (18-3)
10. Spring Grove (17-3)
 

TOP INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE:

Boys’ Basketball:

Brian Tjepkes, Adrian: The senior guard scored 38 points Monday night to lead the Dragons to an 82-75 victory over Minneota.

With the performance, Tjepkes also surpassed the 1,000-point plateau, raising his career total to 1,026.

Minneota led 40-39 at halftime, but Tjepkes hit five 3-pointers and scored 26 points in the final 18 minutes to lead the Dragons to their 11th consecutive victory.

Tjepkes, who had six steals, five rebounds and four assists, knocked down seven 3-pointers for Adrian, which finished 12-for-23 from beyond the arc.

It was the second time this season Tjepkes has turned in the top individual performance, as awarded by the Daily Globe. He scored 40 points – a single-game program record – earlier this season to lead Adrian to a 66-54 victory over Southwest Star Concept.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Tom Nolte, Ellsworth: The senior guard scored a career-high 36 points Monday to lead the Panthers to a 91-76 victory over Fairmont.

Nolte added eight rebounds and two blocks.

Girls’ Basketball:

Karli Meyer, Adrian: The sophomore center scored 35 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to lead the Dragons in an 85-44 victory over Hills-Beaver Creek on Tuesday night.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Sam Lynn, Adrian: The senior guard recorded a triple-double – 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists – to lead the Dragons in an 85-44 victory over Hills-Beaver Creek on Tuesday night.

Boys’ Hockey:

Phil Paquetete, Luverne: The senior forward scored four goals and added an assist Thursday to lead the Cardinals in a 7-6, come-from-behind victory against Mankato East.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Nick Eisenmenger, Windom Area: The junior center recorded a hat trick to lead the Eagles in a 7-3 victory over Fairmont. Eisenmenger did all of his scoring in the second period.

Girls’ Hockey:

Morgan Sommers, Luverne: Sommers notched her first career hat trick Friday to lead the Cardinals in an 18-1 victory over Redwood Valley in the first round of the Section 3A tournament.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Lauren Christensen, Luverne: The freshman also recorded a hat trick in the Cardinals’ victory.

GYMNASTICS:

Lynn Harberts, Worthington: In her last home meet of her career, Harberts placed first on the bars (8.4), the beam (8.925) and the floor (9.075) to lead the Trojans to their highest point-total of the season (134.225) and an 11-point victory over Windom/Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin on Tuesday.

The senior finished with a combined score of 35.150 to win the all-around competition, and she placed second with an 8.75 in the only event she didn’t win, the vault.

BEST MATCHUP:

Worthington vs. Adrian (Girls’ basketball): There weren’t many seats available Monday night in Worthington High School’s gymnasium.

For good reason.

The Dragons entered as the lone undefeated basketball team in the area, the first-place team in the Red Rock Conference, and the No. 3-ranked team in Class A. The Trojans, who suffered their first loss of the season in their previous game, entered as the No. 5-ranked team in Class AAA and the first-place team in the Southwest Conference.

The game also featured two Minnesota Miss Basketball finalists – Worthington’s Holli Aggen and Adrian’s Sam Lynn – and two high-scoring teams that prefer to go up and down the court at a furious pace.

The players, the teams, and the matchup didn’t disappoint.

Martha Alwal scored four points, pulled down a handful of rebounds and recorded two key blocks in the final minute to lead the Trojans to an 85-79 victory.

Alwal, a sophomore center, pulled down an offensive rebound and recorded a putback bucket with a minute remaining to break a 78-78 tie. After each team went 1-for-2 from the free-throw line, Alwal was fouled with 32 seconds remaining.

Needing to connect on both free throws in order to make it a two-possession game, Alwal stepped to the charity stripe. It was the best-case scenario for Adrian, since Alwal easily was the worst free-throw shooter among the Trojans on the court. But the soft-spoken sophomore swished both attempts, giving Worthington a four-point lead.

Later, with Worthington still leading by four points, Adrian’s best 3-point shooter, Erica Thier, appeared to have an open look from beyond the arc. But Alwal closed quickly, blocking the shot and sealing the Trojans’ dramatic victory and their seventh win in seven attempts all-time against Adrian.

The game appeared to be over much earlier.

Worthington, which pulled away late in the first half to take a 49-34 lead at halftime, eventually took an 18-point lead with 14:40 remaining. But Thier and Karli Meyer combined for 21 points on 8-of-9 shooting over the next 5:42, sparking a 26-7 run that gave Adrian a 66-65 lead.

The Dragons eventually took their largest lead of the game, 74-71, with 4:48 remaining, and the lead changed hands five times thereafter. But Adrian committed three turnovers and went 0-for-5 from the field in the final 2:10.

The game had everything: large runs, huge comebacks, clutch individual performances, intensity, physicality, drama, and fast-paced action.

At one point, early in the first half, each team scored on five consecutive possessions in a span of 2:26.

Aggen scored 22 points to lead Worthington. Lynn, who took over in the final minutes, taking the ball to the hole with reckless abandon, pulling up and hitting contested jumpers, picking apart Worthington’s defense on the pick-and-roll, and creating offense for her teammates, finished with 17 points.

Meyer scored 22 points, Their had 19, and Katy Slater added 14 for Adrian, which shot 48.6 percent (18 of 37) in the second half.

Gabby Boever scored 16 points, and Kaitlin Gerber added 15 for Worthington, which shot 55 percent (33 of 60) in the game.

Alwal finished with 16 points and 18 rebounds.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Hills-Beaver Creek 81, Adrian 73 (Boys’ basketball): Halden Van Wyhe scored a game-high 29 points Thursday night to lead the Patriots to a key Red Rock Conference victory.

Both teams entered the game battling for second place behind undefeated Ellsworth in the league standings. Adrian had lost just one RRC game (against Ellsworth) prior to Thursday and had won 11 consecutive contests overall. H-BC entered with just three conference losses and a key matchup against Ellsworth looming (the Patriots will travel tonight to face the Panthers).

The Dragons held a 43-37 lead at halftime, but H-BC went 18-for-30 shooting from the free-throw line and committed just two turnovers in the second half en route to the win.

The Patriots shot 20 of 35 from the charity stripe in the game. Adrian, which committed 20 turnovers on the night, went 9-for-12 from the line, including 3-for-3 in the second half.

BEST GAME:

Hills-Beaver Creek 48, Lincoln HI 46 (Girls’ basketball): Trailing 46-43 in the final minute, Lincoln HI’s Brittany VanOverbeke hit a 3-pointer with seven seconds remaining to tie the game.

Jayme Plimpton received the ensuing inbounds pass from underneath the basket, raced down the court and scored on a driving layup at the buzzer to lift the Patriots to a dramatic two-point victory.

Plimpton scored a game-high 23 points and added five assists to lead H-BC to its second victory of the season. Emily Kruger added 10 points and four steals, and Natalie Stueven had 10 rebounds for the Patriots.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Edgerton 60, Fulda 59 (Boys’ basketball): The Raiders led 56-52 with 3:20 remaining, but the Flying Dutchmen went on an 8-3 run to finish the game and earn a key Red Rock Conference victory.

Edgerton’s Codi Gunnink hit a free throw to cut Fulda’s lead to 56-53 and, after a Raiders turnover, he was fouled while scoring under the basket and then converted the three-point play to tie the score.

Fulda turned the ball over on its ensuing possession, and Pat Kleinjan followed with a runner in the lane to give Edgerton a two-point lead with 47.7 seconds remaining.

Fulda again turned the ball over, and Marty Van Peursem hit 1 of 2 free throws to push Edgerton’s lead to three points. Fulda failed to score on its next possession, and Gunnink went 1-for-2 from the charity stripe to extend Edgerton’s lead to four.

On Fulda’s ensuing possession, Alex Hein was fouled while attempting a 3-pointer from the left corner. He drilled each free throw, cutting the deficit to one. The Raiders then quickly fouled Edgerton’s Chace Hulstein, who missed both free-throw attempts, giving Fulda the ball with 4.7 seconds remaining.

Aaron Leinen pushed the ball up the court and released a running jumper in the lane. But the ball caromed off the front of the rim as the buzzer sounded, sealing Edgerton’s dramatic victory.

Gunnink finished with a game-high 24 points and added 11 rebounds, four blocks and three steals for Edgerton, which went just 8-for-21 from the free-throw line in the final nine minutes.

LATE-GAME HERO:

Jayme Plimpton, Hills-Beaver Creek’s girls’ basketball team: After Lincoln HI tied the score on a 3-pointer with seven seconds remaining, Plimpton received the inbounds pass, raced down the court and made a driving layup at the buzzer to give the Patriots a 48-46 victory.

Plimpton scored a game-high 23 points and added five assists to lead H-BC to its second win of the season.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Nathan Brandt, Jackson County Central’s boys’ basketball team: With the score tied 49-49 with 10 seconds remaining Tuesday night, Windom Area appeared to have the final opportunity in regulation to record a Southwest Conference victory. But Brandt recorded a steal and followed with a pass to Trevon Bargfrede, who converted on a layup with 3.3 seconds remaining to give the Huskies a two-point victory.

Brandt pulled down eight rebounds but finished with just six points in the game, but his last-minute defense and dish trumped any number on the stat sheet.

Bargfrede finished with eight points and 10 rebounds.

Chris Opdahl, Fulda/Murray County Central’s wrestling team: With F/MCC leading by one point entering the final match of the evening Tuesday, Opdahl needed to avoid a defeat in order to secure the win.

The heavyweight went above and beyond.

Opdahl pinned his opponent in 3:10 to lead the Warriors to a 37-31 victory over Pipestone Area.

STATISTICAL SPOTLIGHT:

1 – Playoff win in the history of Windom Area’s girls’ hockey program after the Eagles defeated Worthington 5-0 in the first round of the Section 3A tournament on Friday

4, 14 – Free throws made and attempted by Southwest Star Concept’s girls’ basketball team in a 78-49 loss to Red Rock Central on Friday

6 – Players who scored for Luverne’s boys’ hockey team in a 6-0 victory over Sleepy Eye/St. Mary’s/Springfield on Friday. Connor Fitzer, Phil Paquette, Zach Olson, Nick Meyer, Tim Connell and Derek Van Santen each notched a score for the Cardinals

7 – Points scored in a span of 32 seconds by Krystle Sell to lead Red Rock Central’s girls’ basketball team in a 78-49 victory over Southwest Star Concept on Friday. Sell’s performance reminded one Daily Globe sports reporter, a Winona State University graduate, of Barton College guard Anthony Atkinson’s incredible individual performance in a victory over WSU in the NCAA Division II national championship game

8 – Points scored in the first half by Tracy-Milroy-Balaton’s girls’ basketball team in a 55-24 loss to Central Minnesota Christian on Monday

8 – Offensive rebounds pulled down by Jace Jarmer to lead Westbrook-Walnut Grove’s boys’ basketball team in a 67-54 victory over Murray County Central on Thursday

10, 10, 10 – Points, rebounds and assists by Sam Lynn to lead Adrian’s girls’ basketball team in an 85-44 victory over Hills-Beaver Creek on Tuesday

11 – Players who scored for Worthington’s girls’ basketball team in an 81-36 victory over Luverne on Tuesday night

11 – Players who scored at least one goal for Luverne’s girl’s hockey team in an 18-1 victory over Redwood Valley on Friday in the first round of the Section 3A tournament

12, 0 – Points scored and allowed by Edgerton’s boys’ basketball team to begin the second half Monday in a 59-45 victory over Lakeview

14, 0 – Points scored and allowed by Southwest Star Concept’s boys’ basketball team to end the first half in a 71-51 victory over Mountain Lake Christian on Monday

16 – Rebounds for Audra Schmidt to lead Westbrook-Walnut Grove’s girls’ basketball team in a 63-53 victory over Tracy-Milroy-Balaton on Thursday

18 – Rebounds by Martha Alwal to lead Worthington’s girls’ basketball team in an 85-79 victory over previously undefeated Adrian on Monday night

18 – Rebounds for Luverne’s boys’ basketball team Tuesday night in an 87-51 loss to Worthington. The Trojans had 32 rebounds

18 – Goals scored – a program record — by Luverne’s girls’ hockey team Friday in a 17-goal victory over Redwood Valley in the first round of the Section 3A tournament

18, 8, 8, 5 – Points, rebounds, steals and assists for Ben Scheevel to lead Southwest Star Concept’s boys’ basketball team in a 73-27 victory over Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin on Tuesday night

19 – Rebounds for Emily Bose to lead Murray County Central’s girls’ basketball team in a 62-26 victory over Round Lake-Brewster. The senior center also added 22 points

19, 8, 7, 5 – Points, rebounds, steals and assists by Ben Scheevel to lead Southwest Star Concept’s boys’ basketball team in a 71-51 victory over Mountain Lake Christian on Monday

20 – Points scored in the first half by Krystle Sell to lead Red Rock Central’s girls’ basketball team in a 78-49 victory over Southwest Star Concept on Friday

22 – Point-lead surrendered by Red Rock Central’s boys’ basketball team Monday night in a 67-61 loss to Sleepy Eye. The Falcons led 41-19 early in the second half, but Sleepy Eye went on a 48-20 run to end the game

22, 12, 5 – Points, rebounds and blocks by Audra Schmidt to lead Westbrook-Walnut Grove’s girls’ basketball team in a 48-40 victory over Southwest Star Concept on Tuesday

23, 34 – Free throws made and attempted by Ellsworth’s boys’ basketball team in a 91-76 victory over Fairmont on Monday. The Cardinals went 13-for-19 from the charity stripe

24, 8, 8 – Points, assists and steals by Krystle Sell to lead Red Rock Central’s girls’ basketball team in a 72-32 victory over Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin on Tuesday

24, 10 – Points and rebounds for Trevor Gruis to lead Ellsworth’s boys’ basketball team in a 91-76 victory over Fairmont on Monday

25, 9 – Points and rebounds for Brooke Burmeister to lead Jackson County Central’s girls’ basketball team in a 59-53 loss to Pipestone Area on Friday

26 – Points scored in the second half by Brian Tjepkes to lead Adrian’s boys’ basketball team to an 82-75 victory over Minneota on Monday night. The senior guard finished the game with 38 points – two shy of the program record (40), which he set earlier this season

26, 5 – Points and assists for Kyle DeLong to lead Murray County Central’s boys’ basketball team in a 67-54 loss to Westbrook-Walnut Grove on Thursday

27, 12, 6 – Points, rebounds and steals for Jace Jarmer to lead Westbrook-Walnut Grove’s boys’ basketball team in a 67-54 victory over Murray County Central on Thursday

28 – Points scored by Brooke Kix to lead Ellsworth’s girls’ basketball team in a 57-51 victory over Round Lake-Brewster on Tuesday

29 – Points scored by Halden Van Wyhe to lead Hills-Beaver Creek’s boys’ basketball team in an 81-73 victory over Adrian on Thursday night

30, 10 – Points scored and allowed by Worthington’s girls’ basketball team to open the game Tuesday night en route to an 81-36 victory over Luverne

30, 39 – Free throws made and attempted by Westbrook-Walnut Grove’s girls’ basketball team in a 63-53 victory over Tracy-Milroy-Balaton on Thursday

35, 10 – Points and rebounds by Karli Meyer to lead Adrian’s girls’ basketball team in an 85-44 victory over Hill-Beaver Creek on Tuesday

36 – Points scored – a career-high – by Tom Nolte to lead Ellsworth’s boys’ basketball team in a 91-76 victory over Fairmont on Monday

38 – Points scored by Brian Tjepkes to lead Adrian’s boys’ basketball team to an 82-75 victory over Minneota on Monday night. The senior guard fell two points shy of Adrian’s program record (40), which he set earlier this season

91 – Points scored by Ellsworth’s boys’ basketball team in a 15-point victory over Fairmont on Monday. Tom Nolte scored a career-high 36 points to lead the Panthers

134.225 – Points scored – a season-high – by Worthington’s gymnastics team Tuesday in an 11-point victory over Windom/Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin

199 – Career points scored – a program record – by Sara Luhmann, a senior center on Windom Area’s girls’ hockey team. Luhmann notched three points Friday night to lead the Eagles to a 5-0 victory over Worthington in the first round of the Section 3A playoffs

1,000 – Career points scored by Ben Scheevel, a senior guard on Southwest Star Concept’s boys’ basketball team, after he scored 18 points Tuesday night to lead the Quasars to a 73-27 victory over Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin

1,004 – Career points scored by Brooke Kix after dropping 12 on Friday to lead Ellsworth’s girls’ basketball team in a 73-53 loss to Southwest Christian

1,026 – Career points scored by Brian Tjepkes, a senior guard on Adrian’s boys’ basketball team, after scoring 38 in the Dragons’ 82-75 victory over Minneota on Monday
 

Improving its record to 14-2, the Adrian boys’ basketball team has moved into the top 10 this week. Ellsworth remains at No. 7 in Class A.

The Dragon girls, who suffered a loss to Worthington Monday, remain at No. 3 in Class A.

Worthington’s girls are No. 5 in Class AAA.

The Trojan boys, who weren’t ranked again this week, will face three ranked teams in their last four games. After facing Jackson County Central Tuesday, Worthington will travel to Marshall (No. 7 in AAA) Thursday and Martin County West (No. 10 in Class AA) Feb. 24. Worthington will then host Ellsworth in the season-finale.

The Minnesota girls’ high school basketball rankings, as provided by Minnesota Basketball News, a statewide basketball publication. Records are through Tuesday.
Class 4A
1. Minneapolis South (21-2)
2. Centennial (19-2)
3. Armstrong (17-3)
4. Hopkins (20-2)
5. Chaska (18-3)
6. Lakeville North (16-6)
7. Richfield (17-2)
8. Bloomington Kennedy (15-5)
9. Eden Prairie (14-8)
10. Eastview (14-7)
Class 3A
1. Totino-Grace (21-0)
2. New Prague (16-4)
3. Hill-Murray (16-4)
4. Minnehaha Academy (19-2)
5. Worthington (17-1)
6. DeLaSalle (18-4)
7. Waconia (16-5)
8. Orono (17-4)
9. Willmar (17-3)
10. Minneapolis North (11-7)
Class 2A
1. Jordan (19-2)
2. East Grand Forks (19-1)
3. Caledonia (21-0)
4. New London-Spicer (20-1)
5. Eden Valley-Watkins (20-1)
6. Rochester Lourdes (18-2)
7. Fairmont (18-1)
8. Dover-Eyota (19-2)
9. Winona Cotter (7-3)
10. Sauk Centre (17-1)
Class 1A
1. Barnum (20-0)
2. Ada-Borup (19-1)
3. Adrian (19-1)
4. New Life Academy (16-4)
5. Brandon-Evansville (17-0)
6. Red Lake County Central (18-0)
7. Bigfork (17-1)
8. Cedar Mountain-Comfrey (20-1)
9. Hancock (14-1)
10. Parkers Prairie (16-3)

The Minnesota boys’ high school basketball rankings, as provided by Minnesota Basketball News, a statewide basketball publication. Records are through Tuesday.
Class 4A
1. Hopkins (18-0)
2. Henry Sibley (17-2)
3. St. Cloud Tech (19-0)
4. Robbinsdale Cooper (18-1)
5. Osseo (17-2)
6. Eden Prairie (16-4)
7. Lakeville North (17-3)
8. Wayzata (15-3)
9. Tartan (13-4)
10. Edina (17-2)
Class 3A
1. Mankato West (17-1)
2. St. Paul Johnson (16-3)
3. St. Cloud Apollo (19-2)
4. Minneapolis Washburn (13-5)
5. Spring Lake Park (16-3)
6. Grand Rapids (14-2)
7. Marshall (14-6)
8. Austin (13-3)
9. DeLaSalle (12-4)
10. Fridley (13-5)
Class 2A
1. St. Bernard’s (16-2)
2. Pelican Rapids (18-0)
3. Plainview/Elgin-Millville (20-1)
4. Minnehaha Academy (18-2)
5. Virginia (16-1)
6. MACCRAY (17-0)
7. Braham (19-1)
8. Sibley East (16-1)
9. Minnesota Valley Lutheran (20-1)
10. Martin County West (19-2)
Class 1A
1. Granada-Huntley-East Chain (16-0)
2. Minnesota Transitions (16-2)
3. Chisholm (17-1)
4. Bethlehem Academy (18-2)
5. Bertha-Hewitt (18-0)
6. Spring Grove (16-2)
7. Ellsworth (16-2)
8. Park Christian (17-1)
9. Sebeka (14-2)
10. Adrian (14-2)
 

This news broke today from the Associated Press…

NEW YORK (AP) — Brett Favre is done slinging passes with his rocket right arm — maybe for good.

The 39-year-old quarterback told the New York Jets on Wednesday that he was retiring after 18 seasons, ending a record-setting career in which he became one of the NFL’s all-time greats.

“We had an all-encompassing conversation,” owner Woody Johnson said of his discussion with Favre. “He told me at that point that he had made his decision to retire and thanked everybody and talked about what a great experience he had with the New York Jets.”

Favre’s decision came six weeks after his only season with the Jets ended in disappointment as New York failed to make the playoffs. In an e-mail to ESPN, Favre said he has no regrets about finishing his career in New York and praised Johnson, general manager Mike Tannenbaum and fired coach Eric Mangini.

“My time with the Jets was short, but I’m honored to be given that chance,” Favre wrote in the e-mail.

If this is indeed it for Favre, he leaves the game with a slew of records, including career touchdown passes (464), completions (5,720), yards passing (65,127), regular-season victories (169) and interceptions (310).Favre tearfully retired last March then changed his mind, prompting a bitter divorce with Green Bay. He was traded to the Jets in August and was a Pro Bowl selection despite an overwhelmingly disappointing season that cost Mangini his job.

In recap. Brett Favre retired. Then unretired. Was traded to the Jets, allowing New York to release Chad Pennington (who led the Dolphins to one of the greatest turnarounds in history), and then played so poorly he cost Eric Mangini his job. Then retired again.

But I think it all works out. Pennington has revived his career. Mangini is in a low-pressure job with Cleveland. The Jets are still the second best team in New York, and I still can’t get myself to care about Favre and his retirement.

Every Monday, Daily Globe sports reporter Matt Huss will hand out awards and highlight the best and the worst in prep sports from the past week.

The past week featured a plethora of dramatic finishes, shocking upsets and impressive individual performances. One town’s boys’ and girls’ basketball teams were upset on the same night; a junior set an all-time career rebounding record; four hockey players recorded hat tricks; an eighth-grader recorded 70-plus saves for her hockey team; three games were settled in overtime; and a handful of basketball players drilled clutch shots in the closing seconds to highlight an eventful week in prep sports.

TOP INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCES:

Boys’ Basketball:

Ben Scheevel, Southwest Star Concept: The senior guard scored 37 points – a career-high – including eight in overtime to lead the Quasars to an 81-75 victory over Fulda on Friday night.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Dillon Hansen, Round Lake-Brewster: The senior center had 28 points and 22 rebounds Thursday night to help RL-B overcome a seven-point halftime deficit and force two overtimes in a 66-61 loss to Murray County Central.

Trevor Gruis, Ellsworth: The junior center had 23 points, eight assists, six rebounds, five steals and three blocks to lead the Panthers to an 80-28 victory over Remsen St. Mary’s (Iowa) on Saturday
 
Girls’ Basketball:

Emily Bose, Murray County Central: The junior center had 30 points, 10 rebounds, four steals and two blocks to lead the Rebels in a 62-57 overtime loss to Red Rock Central.

Bose, who recorded her 864th career rebound in the game, setting an all-time program record, scored 18 points in the first half to help the Rebels take a 38-32 lead into the intermission. She also was clutch down the stretch, hitting a heavily contested 12-foot jumper with 13 seconds remaining to tie the game and force overtime. She finished the game 14-for-21 shooting from the field.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Sam Lynn, Adrian: The senior guard had 24 points, 10 assists, six rebounds and five steals Saturday to lead the Dragons past West Central, the defending South Dakota Class A champion.

Gymnastics:

Briel Hendricksen, Jackson County Central: The junior finished in the top three in every event and won the all-around Tuesday night to lead the Huskies to a victory against Worthington.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Amber Haupert, Pipestone Area: The sophomore finished in the top three in every event and won the all-around Friday night to lead the Arrows to a victory against Worthington.

Wrestling:

Eric Lease, Worthington: The 130-pounder went 3-0 with three pins on Saturday at the Martin County West Invitational to win his first ever individual title on the varsity level.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Jared Kinley and Tony Thier, Worthington: Kinley, a ninth-grader, went 2-0 with two pins on Saturday at the Martin County West Invitational to win his first individual title on the varsity level. The 103-pounder pinned his opponent in 47 seconds in the championship match.

Thier, a senior, went 2-0 to win his first individual title of the year. The 152-pounder earned a pin in his first match before earning a 2-0 decision in the title match.

Boys’ Hockey:

Mitchell Jensen and Tyler Obermoller, Worthington: Jensen, a junior forward, and Obermoller, a senior forward, each scored three goals to lead the Trojans to an 8-0 victory over Sleepy Eye/St.Mary’s/Springfield on Saturday.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Trevor Hage and Hunter Johnson, Windom Area: Hage, a senior center, and Johnson, a junior center, each scored three goals Monday to lead the Eagles to a 10-0 victory over Sleepy Eye/St. Mary’s/Springfield.

Girls’ Hockey:

Mikki Fitzer and Katie Dahl, Luverne: The junior forwards each scored three goals on Thursday to lead the Cardinals to a 9-0 victory over Sioux Falls (S.D.).

HONORABLE MENTION:

Mikael Adolph, Worthington: An eighth-grader, Adolph made 71 saves to lead the Trojans in a 13-0 loss to Dodge County on Saturday

BEST MATCHUP:

Adrian 76, Fulda 66 (Girls’ Basketball): In a battle of past versus present, the Dragons defeated the Raiders on Thursday night for just the second time in their past 10 meetings.

Sam Lynn scored a game-high 23 points, and Karli Meyer, Katy Slater and Erica Thier each added 16 to lead Adrian to a victory in one of the fiercest rivalries in the area.

Adrian remained undefeated after defeating a Fulda program that won two Class A titles in the past three years.

The Raiders held a 37-34 lead at halftime, but Adrian went on a 19-6 run midway through the second half to pull away.

The gym at Adrian High School was packed with fans from both teams, leading to a “playoff-type atmosphere,” as described by Lynn.

BEST GAME:

Southwest Star Concept 81, Fulda 75 (OT) (Boys’ Basketball): Ben Scheevel hit two free throws with 10 seconds remaining in regulation to give the Quasars a 69-66 lead, but Fulda’s Devin Kuehne nailed a 3-pointer with three seconds remaining to send the game into overtime. Scheevel then scored eight of his season-high 37 points in the extra session to lead SSC to the dramatic victory.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Red Rock Central 62, Murray County Central 57 (Girls’ Basketball): The Rebels scored five unanswered points in the final 32 seconds to force overtime. Alyssa Schmidt hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key and, after a Falcons turnover, Emily Bose drilled a highly contested 12-foot jumper with 13 seconds remaining.

The Falcons again turned the ball over with two seconds remaining in regulation, but they held MCC scoreless in the three-minute overtime period.

RRC senior Emily Neperman hit the game-winner – an eight-foot jumper from the baseline – with 1:40 remaining in the extra session, and Thea Engen helped seal the victory with a couple of key steals.

MCC turned the ball over on its first four possessions of overtime and didn’t get a shot off until 40 seconds remained.

Bose, who set MCC’s all-time program rebounding record, finished with 30 points, 10 rebounds, four steals and two blocks.

Engen finished with 17 points, and Krystle Sell added 16 for RRC.

Murray County Central 66, Round-Lake Brewster 61 (2OT) (Boys’ Basketball): The Raiders overcame a seven-point deficit at halftime to force overtime – and then another one – in a Red Rock Conference loss to the Rebels. Dillon Hansen had 28 points and 22 rebounds to lead RL-B, and Jeremy Nelson scored 16 points to lead MCC.

UPSET SPECIAL:

Fairmont 76, Worthington 64 (Girls’ Basketball): Fairmont overcame a seven-point halftime deficit by outscoring the Trojans 44-25 in the second half.

It was the first loss of the season for Worthington, which entered ranked No. 2 in Class AAA. Fairmont, which entered ranked No. 10 in Class AA, went 29-for-47 from the free-throw line. Worthington went 9-for-23 from the charity stripe.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Pipestone Area 70, Worthington 63 (Boys’ Basketball): Bryce Beyers drilled a 3-pointer with 2:29 remaining, and the Arrows never trailed again en route to an upset victory over the Trojans on Friday night.

Worthington led 47-37 with 14 minutes remaining, but Pipestone Area went on a 33-16 run to end the game and defeat the Trojans in Worthington for the fourth consecutive time.

Shelby Jones scored 17 points, and Eric Stark added 15 for the Arrows.

LATE-GAME HEROS:

Emily Bose, Murray County Central (Girls’ Basketball): The junior center hit a heavily contested 12-foot jumper with 13 seconds remaining Thursday night to cap a 5-0 Rebel run and force overtime. MCC eventually lost 62-57 to Red Rock Central.

Ben Scheevel, Southwest Star Concept (Boys’ Basketball): The senior guard scored eight of his career-high 37 points in overtime to lead the Quasars to an 81-75 victory over Fulda on Friday night.

Devin Kuehne, Fulda (Boys’ Basketball): The junior guard hit a 3-pointer with three seconds remaining Friday night to send the game into overtime. Kuehne finished with 26 points for the Raiders, who lost to SSC 81-75.

STATISTICAL SPOTLIGHT:
 
2 – Windom Area boy’s hockey players to record hat tricks in a 10-0 victory over Sleepy Eye/St. Mary’s/Springfield on Monday. Trevor Hage and Hunter Johnson each scored three goals

2 – Worthington boys’ hockey players to record hat tricks in an 8-0 victory over Sleepy Eye/St. Mary’s/Springfield on Saturday. Mitchell Jensen and Tyler Obermoller each scored three goals

3 – Points scored in the third quarter by Harris-Lake Park’s girls’ basketball team in a 44-33 victory over Storm Lake/St. Mary’s on Thursday

3 – Players who recorded double-doubles to lead Southwest Christian’s girls’ basketball team in a 77-44 victory over Hills-Beaver Creek on Thursday. Kara Van Dyke had 17 points and 10 rebounds, Abby Hanenburg had 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Jada Vander Veen added 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Eagles

3 – Field goals made of 23 attempts in the first half by Lakeview’s girls’ basketball team in a 62-59 loss to Edgerton on Monday

5 – Points scored by Harris-Lake Park’s boys’ basketball team in the first 12 minutes of a 66-36 loss to Southwest Star Concept on Monday

6 – Field goals made on 64 attempts by Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin’s girls’ basketball team in a 44-30 loss to Round Lake-Brewster on Thursday

7 – Pipestone Area wrestlers who went 2-0 to lead the Arrows to a pair of victories at a triangular on Tuesday. John Bush (112 pounds), Jadon Evans (125), Ryan Meissen (130), Nathan Dubbelde (140), Dustin Hachmann (145), Brandan Alsfson (160) and Dylan Kor (189) each went 2-0 for the Arrows

7 – Windom/Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin wrestlers who recorded pins in a 71-12 victory over Fairmont on Tuesday. Derek Swoboda (112 pounds), Vincent Johnson (125), Sam Fischenich (145), Mason Anderson (160), Spencer Johnson (171), Vance Blomgren (189) and Mitchell Palm-Fisher (215) each recorded falls for the Cobras

10 – Wrestlers who finished 2-0 to lead Windom/Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin’s wrestling team to a pair of dual victories Thursday at a triangular in Redwood Falls. Derek Swoboda (103), Drake Borsgard (112), Heath Quiring (119), Vincent Johnson (125), Josh Falk (130), Sam Fischenich (140), Billy Hochstein (145), Mason Anderson (160), Spencer Johnson (171) and Joey Rummens (Hwt.) each recorded two victories for the Cobras

10 – Luverne girls’ basketball players who scored at least eight points Monday in the Cardinals’ 67-48 victory over Round Lake-Brewster

12 – Points scored in the first half Thursday by Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin’s girls’ basketball team in a 44-20 loss to Round Lake-Brewster

12 – Points scored in the first half by Ellsworth’s girls’ basketball team in a 56-34 loss to Southwest Star Concept on Thursday

15, 13, 8 – Points, rebounds and assists for Trevor Gruis to lead Ellsworth’s boys’ basketball team in a 65-45 victory over Westbrook-Walnut Grove on Friday

17, 19, 8 – Points, rebounds and blocks for Dillon Hansen to lead Round Lake-Brewster’s boys’ basketball team in a 63-37 loss to Hills-Beaver Creek on Tuesday

19 – Rebounds for Alyson Drooger to lead Edgerton’s girls’ basketball team to a 62-59 victory over Lakeview on Monday

20 – Rebounds for Thea Engen to lead Red Rock Central’s girls’ basketball team in a 56-49 victory over Sleepy Eye/St. Mary’s on Monday

23, 8, 6, 5, 3 – Points, assists, rebounds, steals and blocks for Trevor Gruis to lead Ellsworth’s boys’ basketball team in an 80-28 victory over Remsen St. Mary’s (Iowa) on Saturday

24, 10, 6, 5 – Points, assists, rebounds and steals for Sam Lynn to lead Adrian’s girls’ basketball team in a 67-49 victory over West Central (S.D.) on Saturday

24, 9, 5, 4 – Points, rebounds, steals and blocks for Thea Engen to lead Red Rock Central’s girls’ basketball team in a 75-66 victory over Lakeview on Saturday

24, 10, 5 – Points, rebounds and assists for Andrea DeBoer to lead Ellsworth’s girls’ basketball team in a 63-61 overtime loss to Russell-Tyler-Ruthton on Monday

26 – Steals by Hills-Beaver Creek’s boys’ basketball team in a 63-37 victory over Round Lake-Brewster on Tuesday

27, 10, 4, 4, 3 – Points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks by Brian Tjepkes to lead Adrian’s boys’ basketball team in a 71-61 victory over Murray County Central on Tuesday

27 – Points scored by Krystle Sell to lead Red Rock Central’s girls’ basketball team in a 56-49 victory over Sleepy Eye/St. Mary’s on Monday

28 — Points scored by Mason Comnick to lead Westbrook-Walnut Grove’s boys’ basketball team in a 70-58 loss to Southwest Christian on Tuesday

37 – Points scored – a career-high – by Ben Scheevel to lead Southwest Star Concept’s boys’ basketball team in an 81-75 overtime victory over Fulda on Friday night. The senior guard scored eight points in the extra session

47 – Free throws attempted by Fairmont’s girls’ basketball team in a 76-64 victory over Worthington on Tuesday. The Cardinals made 28 attempts. Worthington went 9-for-23 from the free-throw line

51 – Combined points scored by Alyson Drooger and Katie Hadler to lead Edgerton’s girls’ basketball team in a 66-54 victory over Westbrook-Walnut Grove on Thursday. Drooger had 29 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals, and Hadler had 22 points and 12 rebounds for Edgerton

78 – Points scored by Adrian’s wrestling team in a shutout victory over Luverne on Tuesday

86 – Percent shooting (6-for-7) from beyond the arc by Edgerton’s boys’ basketball team in a 52-43 victory over Murray County Central on Friday night

142.326 – Points scored Tuesday night by Jackson County Central’s gymnastics team in a victory over Worthington. The Huskies fell just short of their all-time school record, 144.2.

864 – Career rebounds for Emily Bose, setting a Murray County Central girls’ basketball record. Bose is a junior

After a loss by each the Worthington boys’ and girls’ basketball teams, each squad has falled in the rankings. The boys have fallen out of the Class AAA rankings, while the girls are still holding strong at No. 5.

Worthington’s Monday opponent — the Adrian girls — are still No. 3 in Class A.

Ellsworth is the lone boys’ team ranked in the top 10, coming in at No. 7 with a 13-2 record.

The polls, which were released Wednesday are as follows:

The Minnesota girls’ high school basketball rankings, as provided by Minnesota Basketball News, a statewide basketball publication. Records are through Tuesday.
Class 4A
1. Minneapolis South (19-2)
2. Centennial (17-2)
3. Armstrong (15-3)
4. Hopkins (19-2)
5. Chaska (16-3)
6. Lakeville North (15-5)
7. Richfield (15-2)
8. Eastview (13-6)
9. Bloomington Kennedy (14-4)
10. Eden Prairie (13-7)
Class 3A
1. Totino-Grace (19-0)
2. New Prague (14-4)
3. Hill-Murray (14-4)
4. Minnehaha Academy (18-2)
5. Worthington (15-1)
6. DeLaSalle (16-4)
7. Waconia (14-5)
8. Minneapolis North (10-6)
9. Orono (15-4)
10. Willmar (15-3)
Class 2A
1. Jordan (17-2)
2. East Grand Forks (17-1)
3. Caledonia (19-0)
4. New London-Spicer (18-1)
5. Eden Valley-Watkins (18-1)
6. New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva (19-0)
7. Rochester Lourdes (16-2)
8. Fairmont (17-1)
9. Winona Cotter (16-2)
10. Dover-Eyota (18-1)
Class 1A
1. Barnum (19-0)
2. Ada-Borup (17-1)
3. Adrian (16-0)
4. New Life Academy (14-4)
5. Brandon-Evansville (15-0)
6. Red Lake County Central (16-0)
7. Bigfork (16-1)
8. Parkers Prairie (16-2)
9. Cedar Mountain-Comfrey (18-1)
10. Hancock (11-1)

BOYS

The Minnesota boys’ high school basketball rankings, as provided by Minnesota Basketball News, a statewide basketball publication. Records are through Tuesday.
Class 4A
1. Hopkins (16-0)
2. Henry Sibley (16-2)
3. St. Cloud Tech (16-0)
4. Robbinsdale Cooper (15-1)
5. Edina (15-1)
6. Wayzata (14-2)
7. Tartan (12-3)
8. Osseo (15-2)
9. Eden Prairie (14-4)
10. Lakeville North (15-3)
Class 3A
1. Mankato West (16-1)
2. St. Paul Johnson (14-3)
3. St. Cloud Apollo (16-2)
4. Minneapolis Washburn (11-5)
5. Spring Lake Park (14-3)
6. Grand Rapids (13-2)
7. St. Michael-Albertville (11-4)
8. Delano (13-2)
9. Marshall (12-6)
10. Willmar (12-5)
Class 2A
1. St. Bernards (14-1)
2. Pelican Rapids (16-0)
3. Plainview/Elgin-Millville (18-1)
4. Minnehaha Academy (17-1)
5. Virginia (14-1)
6. MACCRAY (14-0)
7. Braham (17-1)
8. Sibley East (14-1)
9. Minnesota Valley Lutheran (17-1)
10. Martin County West (17-2)
Class 1A
1. Granada-Huntley-East Chain (14-0)
2. Minnesota Transitions (13-2)
3. Chisholm (16-1)
4. Bethlehem Academy (15-2)
5. Bertha-Hewitt (16-0)
6. Spring Grove (14-2)
7. Ellsworth (13-2)
8. Park Christian (15-1)
9. Cedar Mountain-Comfrey (15-1)
10. Sebeka (12-2)
 

Every Monday, Daily Globe sports reporter Matt Huss will hand out awards and highlight the best and the worst in prep sports from the past week.

The past week featured a plethora of crucial conference matchups, dramatic finishes and impressive individual performances. A girls’ basketball player recorded a triple-double and went over 1,000 career points in the same week; a boys’ basketball player was flawless from the field; a girls’ hockey goaltender made 50-plus saves; and a plethora of others turned in career performances on the hardwood to highlight a busy and exciting week in prep sports.

TOP INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCES:

Boys’ Basketball:

Adam Van Der Stoep, Ellsworth: The senior guard made 10 3-pointers – a career-high – and finished with 30 points to lead the Panthers to a 69-37 victory over Murray County Central on Saturday. Van Der Stoep, who went 10-for-14 from beyond the arc, fell just three treys shy of Ellsworth’s single-game program record, which was set by his brother, Aaron.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Alex Elgersma, Edgerton: The senior center was flawless from the field, going 11-for-11 shooting and finishing with 27 points to lead the Flying Dutchmen to an 80-62 victory over Lincoln HI on Monday. Elgersma added nine rebounds and two steals.

Trevor Gruis, Ellsworth: The junior center had 11 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, five blocks and three steals Saturday to lead the Flying Dutchmen to a 69-37 victory over Murray County Central.

Ben Scheevel, Southwest Star Concept: The senior guard had 28 points, 11 rebounds and five steals Saturday to lead the Quasars to a 57-52 victory over Southwest Christian.

Girls’ Basketball:

Alyson Drooger, Edgerton: The junior forward recorded her second career triple-double Tuesday to lead the Flying Dutchmen in a 62-42 victory over Ellsworth. Drooger finished with 14 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Audra Schmidt, Westbrook-Walnut Grove: The senior center had 34 points, 15 rebounds and four assists Tuesday to lead the Chargers to a 74-56 victory over Hills-Beaver Creek.

Holli Aggen, Worthington: The senior guard went 10-for-13 shooting and scored 26 points Saturday to lead the Trojans to a 68-35 victory over Spirit Lake, which entered the game ranked No. 12 in Iowa’s Class 2A poll.

Emily Bose, Murray County Central: The junior center had 22 points, 11 rebounds and five assists Tuesday to lead the Rebels to a 62-33 victory over Southwest Star Concept.

Sam Lynn, Adrian: The senior guard had 20 points, eight assists and seven steals Friday night to lead the Dragons to a 74-38 victory over Round Lake-Brewster.

Ashley Kruse, Jackson County Central: The senior forward had 16 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals Friday to lead the Huskies to a 72-66 victory over Marshall.

Gymnastics:

Amber Haupert, Pipestone Area: The sophomore recorded five top-three finishes Thursday to lead the Arrows to a 133.225-132.175 victory over Marshall. Haupert placed first in the floor (8.975), second in the all-around (34.4) and third in the vault (9.075), the bars (8.3) and the beam (8.05).

Wrestling:

Billy Hochstein, Windom/Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin: The junior 140-pounder went 2-0 with two pins Thursday to lead the Cobras to a two-dual split. Hochstein pinned his opponent in 1:50 to lead the Cobras in a 33-32 loss to Wabasso, and he pinned his opponent in 1:09 to lead the Cobars in a 36-33 victory over Tracy-Milroy-Balaton.

Boys’ Hockey:

Zach Olson, Luverne: The senior scored two goals Thursday to lead the Cardinals to an 8-2 victory over Worthington. With the win, Luverne swept the season series with the Trojans and extended its unbeaten streak to eight games.

Girls’ Hockey:

Taylor Baumhoefner, Worthington: The senior goaltender made 53 saves in goal Thursday to lead the Trojans in a 4-1 loss to Luverne.

BEST MATCHUP:

Worthington 76, Redwood Valley 72 (Boys’ Basketball): The Trojans went on a 22-7 run to start the second half en route to handing Redwood Valley its first Southwest Conference loss and moving into first place in the league standings.

Travis Meinders had 27 points and 10 rebounds to the lead Trojans, who held on for a four-point victory despite going just 15-for-36 from the free-throw line in the game, including 8-for-24 in the final five minutes.

Mike Vorwald had 12 points, 13 assists and five rebounds, and Jalen Voss added 14 points for the Trojans. Mike Felt, who entered averaging just more than 30 points per game, scored 32 points on 10-for-33 shooting.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Adrian 57, Red Rock Central 46 (Girls’ Basketball): Karli Meyer, Erica Thier and Sam Lynn combined for 38 points Tuesday to lead Adrian to a 57-46 victory over Red Rock Central in a battle for first place in the Red Rock Conference.

Both teams entered the night undefeated in conference play, but the Dragons dominated from the beginning, taking a 23-12 lead with 7:01 remaining in the first half. RRC cut the deficit to four points 2:15 into the second half, but Adrian went on a 19-4 run, during which RRC went 2-for-14 from the field and committed four turnovers.

Meyer had 17 points and 10 rebounds, Thier finished with 11 points and five assists, and Lynn added 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Thea Engen had 14 points and 12 rebounds to lead RRC.

Worthington 68, Spirit Lake 35 (Girls’ Basketball): Holli Aggen scored 26 points on 10-for-13 shooting Saturday night to lead the Trojans in a statement victory over Spirit Lake, which entered the game ranked No. 12 in Iowa’s Class 2A poll.

The Trojans jumped out to a 21-2 lead seven minutes into the game before taking a 41-11 lead at halftime.

Gabby Boever had 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists, and Worthington’s relentless and aggressive defense forced 29 turnovers – 20 in the first half – in the victory.

Windom/Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin 51, Jackson County Central 18 (Wrestling): Josh Falk (126 pounds), Matt Willaby (152), Mason Anderson (160), Mitchell Palm-Fischer (215) and Neil Lipsen (Hwt.) each recorded pins to lead the Cobras, who recieved votes in the latest Class AA poll, to a victory over the Huskies, who received votes in the lastest Class A poll.

BEST GAME:

Adrian 54, Westbrook-Walnut Grove 53 (Boys’ Basketball): Adrian’s Jordan Kontz hit 1 of 2 free throws with 31 seconds remaining, and W-WG missed the potential winning basket at the buzzer.

After Kontz’s free throw gave the Dragons a one-point lead, W-WG turned the ball over near midcourt with 16 seconds remaining and was forced to foul Adrian’s Danny Parsley, who then missed both free throws.

The Chargers wasted their second-chance opportunity after again turning the ball over, but they regained possession with eight-tenths of a second remaining after their full-court press forced Adrian into a turnover.

The Chargers inbounded from underneath their own basket but missed a tip-in try at the buzzer.

Brian Tjepkes scored 17 points – 13 in the first half – to go along with five rebounds, five assists and five steals to lead the Dragons, who won their eighth consecutive game. Jesse Brake added 12 points, seven rebounds and five steals, and Nate Reyne scored 12 points.

Jace Jarmer scored 18 points to lead W-WG, which held a 29-24 rebounding advantage. Mason Comnick had 14 points, and Derek Eichner added 10 for the Chargers.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Southwest Christian 50, Luverne 49 (OT) (Boys’ Basketball): Luverne’s Jon Fodness drilled a 3-pointer with four seconds remaining in regulation, but SWC scored the first five points in overtime to claim a nonconference victory.

Zach Huisken had 15 points and 13 rebounds, and Nicholas Pfeifle added 14 points for SWC.

Zack Clark had 16 points, five rebounds and three assists, and Landon Gacke added 10 points and seven rebounds for Luverne, which stormed back from a 29-15 halftime deficit.
 

LATE-GAME HEROES:

Jon Fodness, Luverne, and Jordan Kontz, Adrian (Boys’ Basketball): Each player was clutch down the stretch to help their teams in games that featured the most dramatic endings of the week.

STATISTICAL SPOTLIGHT:

0 – Points scored in the second quarter by Estherville Lincoln Central’s boys’ basketball team in a 39-30 loss to Jackson County Central on Saturday. The Huskies outscored ELC 14-0 in the quarter

0 – Field goals by Round Lake-Brewster’s boys’ basketball team in the final 7:53 of a 57-44 loss to Windom on Monday. The Raiders went 0-for-11 from the field and 0-for-9 from beyond the arc

0 – Wins in January for Worthington’s boys’ hockey team. The Trojans went 0-9 to start the New Year

1 – Second remaining in the game when Tyler Obermoller, a senior forward on Worthington’s boys’ hockey team, scored on a back-handed shot from his knees in the Trojans’ 9-3 loss to Waseca on Saturday

2 – Field goals made in the first half by Spirit Lake’s girls’ basketball team in a 68-35 loss to Worthington on Saturday. Spirit Lake went 2-for-14 from the floor in the first 18 minutes, and the Trojans led 41-11 at halftime

2 – Points scored by Round Lake-Brewster’s boys’ basketball team in a 57-44 loss to visiting Windom on Monday

2 – Career triple-doubles recorded by Alyson Drooger, a junior forward on Edgerton’s girls’ basketball team, after she had 14 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists in a 62-42 victory over Ellsworth on Tuesday

2 – Points scored in the final six minutes by Windom Area’s girl’s basketball team in a 58-35 loss to Pipestone Area on Thursday

2 – Points scored by Corwith-Wesley-Luverne’s girls’ basketball team in the first quarter Friday night in a 62-34 loss to Harris-Lake Park

3 – Points scored in the third quarter by Rock Valley’s girls’ basketball team in a 53-42 loss to Sibley-Ocheyedan on Tuesday

4 – Penalties committed by Mitchell Jensen, a junior forward for Worthington’s boys’ hockey team, in a 9-3 loss to Waseca on Saturday

4 – Points scored in the third quarter by Sioux Falls Christian’s girls’ basketball team in a 59-26 loss to Southwest Christian on Saturday

4 – Westbrook-Walnut Grove boys’ basketball players who scored in the Chargers’ 54-53 loss to Adrian on Saturday

4 – Free throws attempted by Round Lake-Brewster’s boys’ basketball team in a 57-44 loss to visiting Windom on Monday. The Raiders went 2-for-4

4 – Players who scored 11 points to lead Pipestone Area’s boys’ basketball team to a 60-48 victory over Murray County Central on Tuesday. Jason Nettik, Tate VanRoeckel, Bryce Beyers and Eric Stark each netted 11 for the Arrows

4 – Points scored in the second quarter by Storm Lake’s boys’ basketball team in a 62-41 loss to Sheldon on Tuesday. The Orabs outscored Storm Lake 19-4 in the quarter

4 – Field goals made in the second half by Murray County Central’s boys’ basketball team in a 61-43 loss to Southwest Star Concept on Thursday. The Rebels made 4 of 24 attempts and scored 17 points in the final 18 minutes

5 – Top-three finishes recorded by Amber Haupert to lead Pipestone Area’s gymnastics team to a 133.225-132.175 victory over Marshall on Thursday. Haupert placed first in the floor (8.975), second in the all-around (34.4) and third in the vault (9.075), the bars (8.3) and the beam (8.05)

5 – Seconds remaining in the game when Erin Heffernen scored the lone goal for Worthington’s girls’ hockey team in a 4-1 loss to Luverne on Thursday

6 – Wrestlers who went 2-0 Thursday to lead Windom/Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin’s wrestling team to a split in a three-team meet. Derek Swoboda (103 pounds), Drake Borsgard (112), Josh Falk (125), Tim Larson (135), Billy Hochstein (140) and Spencer Johnson (171) each won both of their matches for the Cobars, who lost 33-32 to Wabasso before defeating Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 36-33

6 – Consecutive free throws missed in the span of a minute Friday night for Worthington’s boys’ basketball team, which held on for a 76-72 victory over Redwood Valley

6, 36 – Minutes and seconds it took Westbrook-Walnut Grove’s girls’ basketball team to score six points in a 76-57 loss to Fulda on Friday

7 – Points scored by Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin’s girls’ basketball team in the second half Tuesday in a 70-24 loss to Fulda. The Wolverines were outscored 37-7 in the final 18 minutes

8 – Points scored in the first half by Round-Lake Brewster’s girls’ basketball team in a 62-24 loss to Southwest Christian on Tuesday. The Eagles outscored the Raiders 43-18 in the first 18 minutes

8, 15 – 3-pointers made and attempted in the first half by Worthington’s girls’ basketball team in a 68-35 victory over Spirit Lake on Saturday. The Trojans took a 41-11 lead into the intermission

8 – Points scored in the first half Monday by Tracy-Milroy-Balaton’s girls’ basketall team in a 58-27 loss to host Jackson County Central on Monday

8, 34 – Free throws made and attempted by Worthington’s boys’ basketball team Friday night in the final five minutes of a 76-72 victory over Redwood Valley

9 – Consecutive losses for Worthington’s boys’ hockey team after the Trojans suffered a 9-3 defeat at the hands of Waseca on Saturday

10 – 3-pointers made – a career-high – for Adam Van Der Stoep to lead Ellsworth’s boys’ basketball team in a 69-37 victory over Murray County Central on Saturday. Van Der Stoep, who went 10-for-14 from beyond the arc and finished with 30 points, fell just three treys shy of Ellsworth’s single-game program record, which was set by Van Der Stoep’s brother, Aaron

10 – Steals recorded by Bree Woelber to lead Pipestone Area’s girls’ basketball team in a 58-35 victory over Windom Area on Thursday

10 – Consecutive possessions without a point to start the game Thursday for St. James’ boys’ basketball team in a 64-23 loss to Worthington

10, 13 – Shots made and attempted Saturday by Holli Aggen, who scored 26 points to lead Worthington’s girls’ basketall team in a 68-35 victory over Spirit Lake.

11, 14, 7, 5, 3 – Points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals recorded by Trevor Gruis to lead Ellsworth’s boys’ basketball team in a 69-37 victory over Murray County Central on Saturday

11, 28 – 3-pointers made and attempted by Edgerton’s boys’ basketball team in a 61-43 victory over Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin on Saturday

11 – Penalties committed by Worthington’s boys’ hockey team in a 9-3 loss to Waseca on Saturday

11 – Players who scored on Thursday for Southwest Christian’s boys’ basketball team in a 59-44 victory over Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin. SWC dressed 11 players

11, 11 – Shots made and attempted by Edgerton’s Alex Elgersma in an 80-62 victory Monday over Lincoln HI’s boys’ basketball team. The senior center finished with 27 points, nine rebounds and two steals

12 – Points scored in the first half by St. James’ boys’ basketball team Thursday in a 64-23 loss to Worthington

12, 9 – Minutes and seconds Spirit Lake’s girls’ basketball team went without scoring a basket during the first half Saturday in a 68-35 loss to Worthington

13 – Assists dished out by Mike Vorwald to lead Worthington’s boys’ basketball team to a 76-72 victory over Redwood Valley on Friday

15 – Rebound differential in favor of Jackson County Central’s girls’ basketball team in a 58-27 victory over Tracy-Milroy-Balaton on Monday

16 – Total rebounds for St. James’ boys’ basketball team in a 64-23 loss to Worthington on Thursday. The Trojans pulled down 31 boards

16, 15 – Points and rebounds recorded by Cody Gunnink in Edgerton’s 80-62 victory Monday over Lincoln HI’s boys’ basketball team

16, 5, 5, 5 – Points, rebounds, assists and steals recorded by Ashley Kruse to lead Jackson County Central’s girls’ basketball team in a 72-66 victory over Marshall on Friday

17 – Rebounds pulled down by Jena Peters, who led Harris-Lake Park’s girls’ basketball team to a 48-42 victory over Mountain Lake Christian on Tuesday

20, 8, 7 – Points, assists and steals recorded by Sam Lynn on Friday night to lead Adrian’s girls’ basketball team in a 74-38 victory over Round Lake-Brewster

20, 13 – Points and rebounds recorded by Red Rock Central’s Aaron Furth in a 69-60 victory Monday over Sleepy Eye-St. Mary’s boys’ basketball team

21 – Points scored in the first half by Brian Tjepkes, a senior guard on Adrian’s boys’ basketball team, in a 78-64 victory over Russell-Tyler-Ruthton on Tuesday. Tjepkes finished the game with 25 points

22, 11, 5 – Points, rebounds and assists recorded by Emily Bose, a junior center for Murray County Central’s girls’ basketball team, in a 62-33 victory over Southwest Star Concept on Tuesday

23 – Points scored Thursday by St. James’ boys’ basketball team in a 64-23 loss to Worthington. The Trojans led 48-12 at halftime

23, 13 – Points and rebounds recorded by Andy Dykstra in Sheldon’s 70-55 victory over Spencer’s boys’ basketball team on Monday

24 – Points scored by Erica Thier in the Adrian girls’ basketball team’s 63-60 victory Monday over host Westbrook-Walnut Grove

24 – Points scored by Brandon Kirk, a senior guard on Tracy-Milroy-Balaton’s boys’ basketball team, in a 61-53 victory over Westbrook-Walnut Grove on Tuesday

24, 7 – Points and steals recorded by Halden Van Wyhe, a senior guard on Hills-Beaver Creek’s boys’ basketball team, in a 74-58 victory over Westbrook-Walnut Grove on Thursday

25, 10 – Points and rebounds recorded by Andy Dykstra to lead Sheldon’s boys’ basketball team to a 62-41 victory over Storm Lake on Tuesday

25, 11 – Points and rebounds recorded by Ben Scheevel to lead Southwest Star Concept’s boys’ basketball team to a 61-43 victory over Murray County Central on Thursday

26 – Unanswered points scored by Worthington’s girls’ basketball team during the first half of a 68-35 victory over Spirit Lake on Saturday

27 – Turnovers committed by Hills-Beaver Creek’s boys’ basketball team in a 74-58 loss to Westbrook-Walnut Grove on Thursday

27, 9 – Points and rebounds recorded by Edgerton’s Alyson Drooger in a 60-33 victory over Lincoln HI’s girls’ basketball team on Monday

27, 10 – Points and rebounds recorded by Travis Meinders to lead Worthington’s boys’ basketball team to a 76-72 victory over Redwood Valley on Friday

28 – Points scored by Danny Parsley, a senior guard on Adrian’s boys’ basketball team, in a 78-64 victory over Russell-Tyler-Ruthton on Tuesday

28, 11, 5 – Points, rebounds and steals recorded by Ben Scheevel to lead Southwest Star Concept’s boys’ basketball team to a 57-52 victory over Southwest Christian on Saturday

28, 32 – Free throws made and attempted by Jackson County Central’s girls’ basketball team in a 72-66 victory over Marshall on Friday night

30 – Turnovers committed by Round Lake-Brewster’s girls’ basketball team in a 62-24 loss to Southwest Christian on Tuesday

32, 33 – Points and field-goal attempts for Mike Felt to lead Redwood Valley’s boys’ basketball team in a 76-72 loss to Worthington on Friday. Felt went 10-for-33 shooting from the field

34, 15, 5 – Points, rebounds and assists recorded by Audra Schmidt, a senior center on Westbrook-Walnut Grove’s girls’ basketball team, in a 74-46 victory over Hills-Beaver Creek on Tuesday

37 – Turnovers committed by Tracy-Milroy-Balaton’s girls’ basketball team in a 58-27 loss to host Jackson County Central on Monday

42 – Consecutive Red Rock Conference victories for Ellsworth’s boys’ basketball team. The Panthers, who defeated Murray County Central 69-37 on Saturday, haven’t lost since leaving the Camden Conference and joining the RRC three years ago

49 – 3-pointers attempted by Sleepy Eye-St. Mary’s boys’ basketball team Monday in a 69-60 loss to Red Rock Central. Sleepy Eye-St. Mary’s connected on 13 shots from beyond the arc

53 – Saves made by Taylor Baumhoefner to lead Worthington’s girls’ hockey team in a 4-1 loss to Luverne on Thursday

1,001 – Career points scored by Alyson Drooger for Edgerton’s girls’ basketball team. The junior forward scored 28 points and added seven rebounds Friday night to eclipse the 1,000-point plateau and lead the Flying Dutchmen to a 74-55 victory over Southwest Star Concept