Trojan girls get second straight basketball victory

The Worthington Trojans girls basketball team scored their second win of the season – and their second win this week – as they outlasted host Jackson County Central 80-79 Thursday night.

JCC hit a shot with 6½ seconds remaining in the game, but Trojan senior Janessa Hamman got fouled with .9 seconds left and went to the line for two free throws. She nailed the first one to tie the score; the second one rolled around the rim slowly before ultimately dropping in to win it.

New Gora had a huge night offensively for the Trojans, as she lit up the scoreboard for 38 points. Madison Beckmann nearly had a triple double with 21 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Pam Gora also contributed 10 points for WHS, and Hamman added eight points and seven rebounds.

Worthington coach C.J. Nelson said afterward that his team is continuing to get better at what it’s trying to do. The Trojans are now 2-6 and won’t have their next game until Jan. 2.

The Huskies got a game-high 45 points from junior Riley Cother. JCC is now 6-2.

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In girls hockey, Luverne’s Ellie Van Batavia tallied a hat trick as the Cardinals blanked visiting Worthington 10-0.

Also scoring a goal apiece for Luverne were Hannah Woodley, Ella Apel, Izzy Steensma, Marlee Nelson, Anika Boll, Macie Edstrom and Tenley Behr. The Cardinals led 3-0 after the first period and 7-0 after two.

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In the boys hockey game that followed, Luverne defeated the Trojans 18-2.

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In area girls basketball Thursday, it was:

Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 65, Red Rock Central 32

Southwest Minnesota Christian 64, Edgerton 41

Martin County West 67, Windom 62

Central Minnesota Christian 72, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 22

Murray County Central 51, Mountain Lake Area-Comfrey 50

Westbrook-Walnut Grove 57, Hills-Beaver Creek 43

Adrian-Ellsworth 79, Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda 21

E-LC 65, Central Lyon 41

Fairmont 75, Pipestone Area 35

George-Little Rock 61, Sheldon 24

In area boys basketball:

Red Rock Central 77, Yellow Medicine East 31

Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 69, Lakeview 63

Murray County Central 64, Westbrook-Walnut Grove 46

Pipestone Area 55, Fairmont 54

Jackson County Central 97, Windom 80

George-Little Rock 57, Sheldon 42

E-LC 59, Central Lyon 54

In girls hockey:

Marshall 3, Litchfield-Dassel-Cokato 2

Windom Area 4, Fairmont 1

In boys hockey:

Marshall 5, Litchfield-Dassel-Cokato 2

St. Paul Johnson 5, Fairmont 3