Lady Jays fall 67-66 to Anoka-Ramsey in Region 13A final

Minnesota West's women's basketball team couldn't quite earn an automatic bid Sunday to the national tournament, as Anoka-Ramsey slipped past the Lady Jays 67-66 at the Region 13A Tournament in Thief River Falls.

Minnesota West came into the tournament as the region's top seed and the No.2-ranked team in the NJCAA Division III poll. Despite their loss Sunday, the Lady Jays figure to get an at-large berth to nationals, considering their lofty ranking.

Anoka-Ramsey, which was defeated by Minnesota West twice earlier this season, had a six-point lead entering the fourth quarter after outscoring the Lady Jays 18-9 in the third. Minnesota West fought back and had a 59-57 edge after Katrina Schutz connected on back-to-back 3-pointers. Schutz gave her team a four-point lead with a layup, but the Golden Rams weren't done and proceeded to go on a 7-0 surge. 

A three-point play by Ava Parrish knotted the score at 66-66 with exactly one minute remaining, but a single free throw with four seconds to go proved to be the game-winner for Anoka-Ramsey.

Schutz had a huge game for the Lady Jays with 24 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the floor and 4-of-5 on 3-point shots while also pulling down 14 rebounds. Sadie Krahling contributed 21 points and Rhea Tucker had 10 points and 13 rebounds. 

The Lady Jays, now 17-9 overall, earned their spot in the regional final Saturday by defeating Ridgewater 74-53. Minnesota West trailed by a point with three and half minutes left before halftime, but wound up leading by eight at the break before going on to outscore the Warriors 24-11 in the third quarter.

Schutz had a strong all-around game in the win as she scored 20 points, pulled down 14 rebounds, passed for five assists and blocked two shots. Krahling added 15 points and Maddie Kamm had 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals. Tucker chipped in with 12 points and seven rebounds.

Pairings for the national tourney, which will be March 12-15 in Rochester, will be announced later this week.

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In the South Subsection 3A girls basketball title game Friday night, it was Hills Beaver Creek 66, Adrian-Ellsworth 43.

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In South Subsection 3AA boys basketball quarterfinal games Friday night, it was Luverne 91, St. James 72; Fairmont 82, Windom 62; and Redwood Valley 65, Pipestone Area 45.

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In Class A boys basketball "Super Saturday" games at Worthington High School, it was: Hills-Beaver Creek 73, Adrian-Ellsworth 47; Southwest Minnesota Christian 65, Westbrook-Walnut Grove 51; Edgerton 64, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 61; and Murray County Central 48, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 47. Hills-Beaver Creek will meet Southwest Minnesota Christian at 6 p.m. and Edgerton plays Murray County Central at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at WHS.