Lakers outlast a stubborn Paynesville team

Thursday night was winnowing-down time for Section 3AA-North boys basketball. The field of teams is steadily getting narrower. The winners move on, and right now that group includes Minnewaska Area, the Lakers. They're certainly alive as of today (Friday) but they'll have to go out on the court again Saturday to prove themselves.
On Saturday the assignment will be to visit Southwest State U of Marshall. There the task will be to play the Cardinals of Redwood Valley who disposed of the MACA Tigers. The Lakers disposed of Paynesville Thursday. It was hardly a routine win. But the 'Waska crew can take satisfaction from this triumph by six points, 52-46, at Willmar.
Phil Johnsrud coaches the top-seeded Lakers who have abundant reason to feel confidence. After all, this is a team that defeated No. 1-ranked BOLD in the regular season. They'll have to be on their game to turn back an impressive Redwood Valley team Saturday. Game-time is 6 p.m. at the R/A facility at SSU. Redwood survived with a one-point win over the Tigers of MACA, 66-65.
The Lakers and Bulldogs took the court for the night's early game. Paynesville is adorned with green. The second half developed into a back-and-forth affair. The lead changed hands often. It was Peyton Johnsrud who made a statement with a decisive basket, a three-pointer, with around seven minutes left. 'Waska would not relinquish the lead again.
The Lakers became clock-conscious and just wanted to work time off. They weren't going to shoot unless a very prime opportunity presented itself. That happened, and senior Grant Jensen delivered a high-percentage hook shot from his guard position. This made the score 49-44. Jensen would finish with the team-high 16 points.
Aesthetically I don't know about this strategy of working time off the clock so painstakingly. This stance can work against the sport of basketball, IMHO. But Laker fans sure went home happy.
Those fans had to feel nervous during the first half in which Paynesville got a 21-10 lead at one point. Even after the late Jensen basket, Paynesville wasn't down for the count. The Bulldogs got within three points with a basket from Corbin Froelich. Froelich made a bid for another score, with a drive, but was stopped by Aaron VerSteeg. Now we're down to less than a minute left.
Laker Luke Barkeim went 1/2 at the freethrow line. Froelich then got a prime opportunity to score but couldn't get the shot to fall.
Jensen failed on the front end of a one-and-one. Carter Wessel of the Bulldogs attempted a '3' from the corner but it was no-go.
Paynesville coach Rick Hendrickson liked the effort his team displayed in what turned out to be a losing cause. The halftime situation was Minnewaska up by a 23-21 score. The Lakers shot to this lead thanks to a 13-0 run.

Corbin Froelich of the Bulldogs

Froelich kept his team in the hunt with superb shooting after the break. He got some "razzing" from the 'Waska fans but he was undaunted with his play, shown by his 28 points, game-high. I don't like to hear about fans getting on any player. Froelich was at his best in the second half with 20 points. "I'm lucky to coach him," Hendrickson said of this star. Paynesville's final record is 16-12.
The Lakers at 20-6 are now eyeing win No. 21 and it will be challenging. The Lakers met the Cardinals on December 7 and won narrowly, 72-70.
 
Stats from Thursday win
Grant Jensen with his 16 points was joined by one other double figures scorer Thursday at the "Big Red" gym. This was Peyton Johnsrud with ten points. The cast also included: Aaron VerSteeg (8), Drew Nelson (5), Luke Barkeim (5), Brady Hoffman (4) and Sam Hested (4). Johnsrud made two 3-pointers while Jensen and Nelson each made one.
Froelich for Paynesville seemed like rather a one-man team with his 28 points. But Brendan Uhlenkamp complemented him with nine points. Then we see Carter Wessel with six points, Levi Bast with three and Grady Fuchs with two. Froelich had both of Paynesville's 3's.
It'll be time to head south for Laker fans on Saturday!
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com