The Minnesota West Lady Jays upped their winning streak to seven Saturday afternoon, fighting off an Anoka-Ramsey rally and winning 80-74 at the Center for Health and Wellness.
The Lady Jays, ranked seventh nationally, improved to 9-1 in South Division play and 13-10 overall behind 16 points from Emily Breske and Madisyn Huisman. Breske also pulled down a team-best 11 rebounds for Minnesota West.
Dannyn Peterson contributed 14 points for the Jays, McKensie Post added 11 points and Tia Murray had 10 points and eight rebounds. Minnesota West limited the Golden Rams to 32.5% shooting from the floor and forced 22 turnovers. The Lady Jays also spent plenty of time at the free throw line, making 31 of 46 shots.
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In the men’s game, Anoka-Ramsey led by 17 at halftime and continued to pull away in the second half as they beat the Bluejays 100-74.
Amos Alford’s 21 points led four Minnesota West players in double figures; he also led all players in rebounds with 11. Other contributors for the Bluejays offensively were CJ Ligon with 17 points and Jacob Dorian and London Campbell with 10 points apiece.
Anoka-Ramsey shot at 57.4% clip from the floor compared to 38% for Minnesota West. The Blue Jays are now 1-8 in divisional play and 4-17 overall.
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In high school boys hockey Saturday afternoon, visiting La Crescent-Hokah topped Worthington 5-1, dropping the Trojans to 9-10 on the season.
Blake Ahrenstorff gave WHS a 1-0 lead in the first period when he scored on assists from Blake Luinenburg and Alec Langerud, but that was all for the Trojans offensively. Worthington was outshot 35-23 in the game.
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Worthington High School won the Big South gymnastics meet Friday night at home, getting past New Ulm 144.1 to 136.25. Hali Bullerman once again came out on top in the all-around competition with a total of 36.625 points. Bullerman was first in both the vault, with a score of 9.4 points, and floor exercise, with a 9.375. She was also second on the bars and third on the beam.
Meklya Nystrom of the Trojans was first on the bars with 9.075 points; she was also second on the vault and third in the all-around. Olivia Barber was first on the beam for WHS with a 9.4 and also tied for third on the floor. Abigail Bristow was second on the floor for the Trojans, who will next compete Friday in the sectional meet in Marshall.
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Also Friday, goalie Lila Newman stopped all 32 shots she faced as Worthington blanked Marshall, 3-0, in girls hockey. Rosamaria Rodriguez scored the first Trojans goal on an assist from Kessey Aljets, and Aljets scored the second WHS goal unassisted. Riley Nickel then added an unassisted empty-net goal in the waning moments of the third period as the Trojans improved to 5-18 on the season.
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Sophomore guard Kaleb Knothe has 18 points and eight rebounds as the Worthington Trojans boys basketball team won its second straight Saturday, edging Fairmont 57-53 on the road.
Knothe was five-of-six from the floor, including 2-of-2 from 3-point range, and six-of-seven from the free-throw line. Senior Jake Brandner added 12 points for the Trojans, now 5-12 on the season. Abagotte Opiew and Jacari Swinea had eight points apiece for Worthington.
In girls basketball Saturday night, visiting Fairmont defeated Worthington 69-53 behind Rayah Quiring’s 23 points. Olivia Hayenga scored a team-best 19 points for the Trojans, while Ellie Weg added 13 points and 11 rebounds and Tarren Spartz 10 points and eight rebounds. WHS is now 11-8 on the season; Fairmont improved to 19-2.
In other action over the weekend:
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Red Rock Central 50, Cedar Mountain 36
Jackson County Central 81, St. James Area 72
Marshall 55, Alexandria 33
Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 76, Yellow Medicine East 48
Luverne 53, Southwest Minnesota Christian 43
Hills-Beaver Creek 63, Red Rock Central 49
Westbrook-Walnut Grove 62, Cedar Mountain 27
Marshall 84, Windom 32
Pipestone Area 86, Jackson County Central 84
Fairmont 66, Blue Earth 16
Sheldon 48, Sioux Center 47 (OT)
Western Christian 43, Storm Lake 34
Boyden-Hull 59, Okoboji 35
Central Lyon 54, Sibley-Ocheyedan 37
West Lyon 47, MOC-Floyd Valley 24
Unity Christian 63, Harris-Lake Park 21
Trinity Christian 36, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn 34
Estherville-Lincoln Central 42, Spirit Lake 38
Rock Valley 42, George-Little Rock 32
BOYS BASKETBALL
Luverne 62, Martin County West 56
Marshall 55, Alexandria 43
Western Christian 68, Minneapolis North 50
Mountain Lake Area-Comfrey 62, Edgerton 44
Hills-Beaver Creek 64, Red Rock Central 48
Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 66, Lac Qui Parle 51
Southwest Minnesota Christian 99, Adrian-Ellsworth 64
Murray County Central 45, Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda 36
Marshall 77, Windom 72
Pipestone Area 56, Jackson County Central 52
Fairmont 58, Blue Earth 57
Sioux Center 75, Sheldon 65
Western Christian 84, Storm Lake 58
Boyden-Hull 70, Okoboji 35
Central Lyon 68, Sibley-Ocheyedan 48
Unity Christian 61, Harris-Lake Park 40
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn 45, Trinity Christian 34
West Sioux 79, Hinton 58
Estherville-Lincoln Central 57, Spirit Lake 51
Rock Valley 63, George-Little Rock 38
BOYS HOCKEY
Marshall 4, Minnesota River 1
Luverne 6, Morris-Benson Area 3
Rochester Lourdes 10, Fairmont 4
New Ulm 4, Windom Area 3
