WHS boys basketball team snaps slump, routs Martin County West

The Worthington Trojans boys basketball team snapped a five-game losing streak in decisive fashion Monday afternoon as they cruised past Martin County West 91-35 in the first day of a two-day tournament in Windom.

The Mavericks, who are now 1-7, led just once — at 2-0. Kason Spartz capped an 11-2 spurt with a WHS bucket that put the Trojan lead at 11-4, forcing a Martin County West timeout. The Mavericks called for time once more after a Caleb Meyer hoop made the score at 23-8 with 7:29 left before halftime.

The Worthington offense really got going from there, as the Trojans — who improved to 2-6 on the season — tallied 32 more points in the final seven-plus minutes of the half to secure a 55-15 advantage at the break. The lead only got larger in the second half, as Fino Noeno's 3-pointer put the Trojans up 50, and they continued to cruise from there.

Unofficial individual stats included Treyson Meinders with a game-high 21 points. Worthington plays in Windom again at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

**

The two-day Minnesota West New Years Classic basketball tourney begins Tuesday at the Center for Health & Wellness on the Worthington campus. The Lady Jays will take on the Bethany Lutheran JV at 6 p.m., while the Bluejay men will face Dakota County Technical College at 8 p.m.

**

The Worthington Trojans couldn't make it two-for-two against Faribault this season as WHS was defeated by the Falcons 6-1 Monday in the first day of a two-day boys hockey tournament in Windom.

The Trojans had beaten Faribault 5-2 on the road back on Dec. 16 but couldn't repeat that result as they fell to 1-8 on the winter while Faribault improved to 2-7. WHS is back in action Tuesday in Windom as it meets Northern Edge — made up of students from St. Francis and North Branch Area High School — at 3 p.m.

**

In girls basketball, Adrian-Ellsworth played its first game at a two-day tournament in Lakeview and picked up its second victory of the season by defeating Yellow Medicine East 67-48. The Dragons play against Hancock Tuesday.

The Adrian-Ellsworth boys also played in Lakeview on Monday and were defeated by unbeaten Benson 78-41. Now 1-6, A-E meets Lac Qui Parle Valley Tuesday.

**

The Worthington Trojans girls basketball team will aim to snap a six-game losing streak when it plays host to Blue Earth Tuesday night. The Bucs are 1-9; they had lost their first nine games getting a win against Sibley East this past Saturday. Game time is 6 p.m.; catch the action on 104.3 La Voz.4

**

In area girls basketball Monday night, it was:

Hills-Beaver Creek 62, Canby 21

Martin County West 59, Albert Lea 39

Pipestone Area 69, MACCRAY 43

Windom 89, Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons 58

Fairmont 69, Minnesota Valley Lutheran 34

Marshall 72, Duluth Marshall 57

In area boys basketball Monday night:

Windom 88, BOLD 56

Fairmont 57, Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial 54

In area girls hockey Monday night:

Marshall 5, West Fargo 0

Stillwater 2, Luverne 1

In area boys hockey Monday night:

Bismarck Legacy 12, Marshall 0

Cloquet/Esko/Carlton 6, Luverne 2

Northern Edge 5, Windom Area 1