The Worthington Trojans’ boys basketball team had a tough night defensively Monday night, allowing 49 points in the first half on their way to a 79-59 road setback at Spirit Lake.
WHS head coach Clint Meyer said his team didn’t guard very well, particularly in the first half. The game, played in four eight-minute quarters, saw the Trojans trail by 17 at halftime as they fell to 8-5 overall.
Worthington was paced offensively by Kaleb Knothe, who had 21 points. Andrew Mulder added 11 points for the Trojans, who next play Friday when they host St. Peter.
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The Trojan girls also played at Spirit Lake on Monday night and were defeated by the state-ranked Indians 71-52.
WHS trailed 36-26 at the half and Spirit Lake opened with a strong first five minutes following the break. Still, Trojans head coach C.J. Nelson said his team was able to hang around most of the way.
Worthington, now 3-10, was led on offense by Grace Barber’s 14 points. Madison Beckmann added 10 points and New Gora had nine for the Trojans, who entertain New Ulm Tuesday night.
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A fundraiser for the family of Worthington Trojans girls basketball players Pham and New Gora will take place Tuesday prior to the Trojans’ home basketball game against New Ulm.
All process will directly benefit Pham and New Gora’s family as their mother, Ajulo Ochala, recently underwent a kidney transplant. People are encouraged to come to the high school to pick up a delicious meal from 5 pm to 7 p.m. to support the family with a free-will donation.
People who can’t make the event can also stop by during school hours Tuesday and see either Sheila at Worthington Middle School or Karmen at Worthington High School, and they will accept donations for the family. Checks should be made out to Ajulo Ochala Othow.
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Minnesota West Community & Technical College dropped from No. 3 to No. 5 in the latest National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Women’s Basketball Poll that was released Monday.
The Lady Jays, now 15-7 on the season, suffered a lopsided loss at Rochester, which remains the nation’s top-ranked team, this past Wednesday, but then bounced back to rout Western Tech 105-22 at home Sunday.
Owens Community College, the 2022 national champion, is ranked No. 2 for the third consecutive week despite an overall record of just 10-8. A pair of other Minnesota West rivals – Anoka-Ramsey and Northland – are ranked third and fourth, respectively.
The Lady Jays will play a home game Wednesday night against the Dakota State University junior varsity at 5:30 p.m. They are then idle until Wednesday, Jan. 31, when they and the Minnesota West men both play at Fergus Falls at against Minnesota State.
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In an area boys basketball game Monday night, Westbrook-Walnut Grove snapped a 10-game losing streak with an 81-52 triumph over host Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda.
The Chargers were behind 11-6 early before exploding for a 16-0 run, and they never trailed again. W-WG led by a dozen at the break and, after the Coyotes closed to within 47-38, the Chargers went on an 11-0 burst to effectively clinch the game.
Hudsen Jenniges had 26 points W-WG, Kevin Curry added 20 and Drew Swanson had 17. For Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda, Logan Hattendorf hit for 16 points and Sam Goedtke had 13.
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In area girls basketball Monday night, it was:
Edgerton 56, Hills-Beaver Creek 50
Martin County West 47, Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial 46
Southwest Minnesota Christian 76, Mountain Lake Area-Comfrey 32
St. Peter 63, Fairmont 41
Central Lyon 70, Unity Christian 46
George-Little Rock at Hinton 55, George-Little Rock 25
In area boys basketball:
Fairmont 69, Martin County West 56
Hills-Beaver Creek 84, Adrian-Ellsworth 61
Murray County Central 60, Red Rock Central 51
Mountain Lake Area-Comfrey 78, Southwest Minnesota Christian 76
MMCRU 58, Sibley-Ocheyedan 48
Hinton 67, George-Little Rock 50
Western Christian 68, Gehlen Catholic 28
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