Trojan boys hoops season concludes with 79-68 loss at Marshall

Second-seeded Marshall defeated seventh-seeded Worthington 79-68 in a Section 2AAA quarterfinal boys basketball game Tuesday night in Marshall.

The Trojans stayed close for a while in the first half, but the Tigers were able to quickly grow their lead shortly before the break.

Marshall started the game on an 8-0 burst, forcing WHS to take a timeout just 1:16 after the opening tip. The Tigers would go out in front 16-4, but 3-point shooting helped Worthington hang around. Trayson Meinders hit threes on back-to-back possessions, Tetlouch Gach connected from beyond the arc and Meinders made three free throws after being fouled on a deep shot to get the Trojans to within 25-18.

Marshall was able to able to expand its advantage to 31-18, but Caleb Meyer's second 3-pointer got Worthington within 10 at 38-28. The Tigers, though, closed out the half with a 9-0 burst to lead 47-28.

In the second half, Marshall quickly moved ahead by 23, but the Trojans didn't quit. A Gach 3-pointer soon trimmed the Tiger lead to 52-38, but WHS couldn't close the gap any further until the final minutes. Worthington got within 12 with 2:45 to go, but Marshall was able to keep their foe at bay the rest of the way.

Unofficial scoring totals for the game had Meyer finishing with 26 points to lead the Trojans. Gach contributed 18 in his final WHS outing and Meinders added 12. Worthington concludes the season with a 7-20 record.

In other Section 2AAA action Tuesday, third-seeded St. Peter beat No. 6 Hutchinson 64-49 and No. 5 New Ulm edged No. 4 Mankato West 61-56. Mankato East is the top seed and had a bye.

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Hills-Beaver Creek, ranked sixth in the most recent state Class A boys basketball poll. advanced to the Section 3A South finals with a 64-47 victory over fifth-seeded Edgerton at Worthington High School.

The Patriots improved to 25-3 on the season, while the Flying Dutchmen end their year at 16-11. No Hills-Beaver Creek team has ever advanced to the state basketball tournament, but the boys' team is now two wins away from doing so and the girls' team just one.

In the second Section 3A south semifinal game at WHS, Southwest Minnesota Christian made sure it would be a No. 1 vs. No. 2 final by defeating third-seeded Murray County Central 63-48. The Eagles are now 24-4 on the year and will play H-BC at 8 p.m. Saturday at Southwest Minnesota State University. The winner of that game will take on either Central Minnesota Christian or Wabasso at 5 p.m. March 12 at SMSU for a state tourney berth.

In Section 3AA South boys basketball, top-seeded Montevideo -- which is ranked No. 3 in the state -- knocked off Luverne 74-61 and eighth-ranked Jackson County Central topped Fairmont 70-52. The Thunder Hawks and Huskies will face each other at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at SMSU. The winner will meet either Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta or Minnewaska Area at 8 p.m. March 12 at SMSU for a state tourney berth.