Another blazing first half for Lakers at home

Minnewaska Area girls basketball sails forward. Can anyone stop the Lakers? The Silverstreaks failed to do that Tuesday night. Fans gathered at the 'Waska facility overlooking beautiful and frozen Lake Minnewaska. The Lakers took care of business again. They handled the Silverstreaks of Osakis in the 69-42 final. 

This game followed the romp over MACA which was by an 82-25 score. Very clearly the "future is now" for the 'Waska program while our MACA is trying to fight out of some adversity. We can speculate on what Morris might need. IMHO Morris is a big enough school to be stable in athletic contests all the time. I'm especially discouraged by reports that players are leaving the program. 

It's so much more fun to be in a position like where Minnewaska finds itself. No diagnosis needed for any problem there. Quite the 100 percent opposite with a won-lost record of 14-2, 5-1 in section, 5-1 in conference. The Lakers have treated their home fans to an 8-0 record at the home gym. And fans will be gathering at the 'Waska gym again tonight (Thursday). The assignment is to face Montevideo. 

The 'Waska coach really prepares his team for a strong first half. As they did against MACA, the Lakers took total control in the early stages, this time to assume a 45-17 halftime lead over the Silverstreaks. (I love the "Streaks" nickname BTW.) 

'Waska backed off in the second half which turned into a stalemate. 

Tuesday was a night for Megan Thorfinnson to shine for 'Waska. She led the charge with 22 points. Sydney Dahl and Lauryn Ankeny each scored 11. Olivia Danielson contributed eight to the effort. Continuing: Addyson Kath 7, Jayda Kolstoe 7, Amber Peabody 2 and Berlynn Green 1. We saw three Lakers each making one '3': Kath, Ankeny and Thorfinnson. 

Ankeny attacked the boards for seven rebounds. Dahl and Thorfinnson each had three assists. Top steal producers were Thorfinnson 5, Ankeny 4 and Kath 3. Adding to Thorfinnson's well-rounded night was three blocks while Ankeny had two. 

Montevideo defeated Benson 70-46 on Tuesday.

 

'U' coach Dawn Plitzuweit

Setback for 'U'

Well, it was quite the closely-watched game at the home venue of the U of M Gophers Wednesday night. How about a matchup of nationally-ranked women's teams? Can't beat that for getting your mind off the cold temperature outside. The Gophers entered the game ranked No. 23, Michigan No. 24. 

It was a close game but Michigan carved out the narrow advantage by the time of the final horn. The advantage was five points, 70-65. Our top players did fine led by Amaya Battle who put in 25 points. She also produced six rebounds and six steals. Annika Stewart was sharp with her 16 points, two steals and two blocks in a bench role. 

Mainstay Grace Grocholski came through with 12 points, six rebounds and four assists. Good contributions from the nucleus but not quite enough. We had the rebounding advantage on the night, 37-36. We forced 17 turnovers. Our 13 offensive rebounds were an impressive stat. Heyer exceled in rebounds with her seven. 

Lots of pluses, just not quite enough against a fellow nationally-ranked team, those Wolverines. 

I should note that Michigan has one of these super-prodigy young women's basketball players, following in the footsteps of Caitlin I guess, and this Wolverine is Syla Swords, freshman. And what a neat name. I was worried that Sword's prowess could be a threat for our Gophers. I was right. She scored 23 points Wednesday, eight in the fourth quarter. 

Another top Michigan freshman happens to be from New Hope MN. Turncoat! Just kidding. Olivia Olson - nice Minnesota name - scored 19. Olson made a jumper to start the fourth quarter to put her team up 55-53. Swords followed that up with a 3-pointer. 

Still another freshman for the Wolverines, Mila Holloway, scored 12 points. It's quite the freshmen core but you know how it is now with the transfer portal. It's hard to count on much.

 

Addison O'Grady

Iowa bounces back

I love the Iowa Hawkeyes in addition to our Gophers. When the two teams finally meet, I'll have to root for the Gophers and we will have a chance. You know what Iowa did the last couple years with Caitlin Clark and others. That legend will never fade away. 

In the present the Hawkeyes have a notable transfer player this year in Lucy Olsen. Olsen had been in a drought going into Wednesday. Great to see her snap out of it in Iowa's much-needed 85-61 win over Washington. Wow! Olsen was a perfect eight-for-eight in shooting. Her point total was 20. 

Inside presence Addison O'Grady put in 17 points on eight of 12 shooting. The Hawks shot 72 percent from the field. 

Iowa was on a five-game losing skid going into this game. Things get tough for anyone in Big 10 play. Go Hawkeyes! Go Gophers!

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com