The Sibley-Ocheyedan girls basketball team was back in the Iowa State Tournament Tuesday night for the first time in 26 years, and the Generals will be sticking around Des Moines for a few days.
Senior Madison Brouwer dominated with 28 points, 10 rebounds and five steals and fourth-seeded Sibley-Ocheyedan started quickly and never looked back, cruising to a 60-39 triumph over fifth-seeded Regina Catholic. The Generals, now 22-3 on the season, will next play No. 1 Dike-New Hartford in the Class 2A state semifinals at 10 a.m. Friday. The entire tournament is being played at the Wells Fargo Arena.
Sibley-Ocheyedan broke out to an 8-0 edge in the first quarter while holding the Regals scoreless for more than four and a half minutes. The Generals concluded the first eight minutes with a 10-7 lead, then controlled the second period by an 18-5 count to grab a 28-12 halftime advantage.
The Generals added to their cushion in the third quarter and took a 49-22 lead into the fourth stanza. Brouwer finished the game shooting 12-of-19 from the floor and four-of-five from the free throw line. Zoe Ackerman connected on 8-of-11 shots from the floor to finish with 17 points. Bria Wasmund passed for seven assists and Olivia Hensch had six assists; Marissa Ackerman contributed seven rebounds.
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In a Tuesday night battle to determine the Big South Conference boys basketball champion, visiting New Ulm posted a 66-58 victory over Worthington.
The Trojans grabbed an early 16-8 lead on the Eagles, but New Ulm remained poised and trailed by just two – 30-28 – at halftime. New Ulm was able to move ahead with just about seven minutes remaining in the game and held on from there.
It was the third time the Trojans and Eagles have met this season, with the teams splitting the first two matchups. On Tuesday, it was Kaleb Knothe leading the way offensively for Worthington with 14 points while Mikele Walu had 12 and Zach Hayenga nine. The Trojans, now 19-5 on the year, host Kasson-Mantorville in their last game of the regular season on Friday night.
Meanwhile, the Trojans’ girls squad had its season come to an end in Jordan, as the top-seeded Jaguars took care of eighth-seeded Worthington 70-31 in the Section 2AAA Tournament.
The Trojans upset Jordan 67-57 back on Jan. 21, but lightning would not strike twice as the Jaguars sprinted out to a 44-11 halftime advantage. Tarren Spartz was the top WHS scorer with six points and she also had five rebounds in her last game for Worthington. Madison Beckmann contributed eight rebounds; Pham Gora had five rebounds and three steals.
The Trojans end their season at 4-22.
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In area girls basketball Tuesday night:
Southwest Minnesota Christian 66, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 52
Mountain Lake Area-Comfrey 44, Martin County West 40
Edgerton 53, Westbrook-Walnut Grove 41
Luverne 70, St. James Area 45
Fairmont 65, Pipestone Area 64
Marshall 49, New Ulm 44
In boys basketball:
Mountain Lake Area-Comfrey 68, Red Rock Central 43
