Ankeny and Randt pace the Lakers' scoring at WCA

The Minnewaska girls basketball team wins in dominating fashion so much of the time. But the Lakers have not been world-beaters. Their ten wins thus far have been offset by two losses. The team cannot rest on its laurels. 

The recent tournament at Fergus Falls showed the Lakers at their best and also with some vulnerability. The "best" was with the 77-41 win over thief River Falls. That was on December 29. On the day after that, the Lakers were humbled by the host Otters of Fergus Falls. The score was 50-39. 

Can the Lakers repeat their fourth place showing in state this time around? Or maybe do even better? Fans will have a lot of fun learning the answer to that question. We're past the holiday season now and the schedule rolls ahead. Since the Fergus Falls tourney the Lakers have played two games. They rolled over Wadena-Deer Creek 69-37 and West Central Area 68-42.

 

Lakers 68, West Central Area 42

This was a matchup of teams of distinction. Both the Lakers and Knights were in last year's state tournament. WCA took No. 1 in Class 'A'. WCA is coached by Morris native Becca Holland. Becca grew up in my former church of First Lutheran. It is questionable to assert that First Lutheran even exists now. But let's not delve into church matters. 

It was 'Waska getting the upper hand over the Knights in the Thursday action at Barrett. 

The West Central Tribune reports that 'Waska took sixth in last year's state tournament. That is wrong. The Lakers were fourth. I covered it in full. Boy, I would not have wanted to make a mistake like that when I was with the Morris newspaper. I'd be called dumb as a pail of rocks. 

WCA stayed pretty close to 'Waska through Thursday's first half. The halftime situation was 'Waska with the modest lead of four points, 29-25. But 'Waska came out charging in second half play to outscore the Knights 39-17. 

The stat report shows two Lakers each putting in 16 points: Lauryn Ankeny and Alia Randt. Just six Lakers scored points. Also in the double figures column were Olicia Danielson with 11 and Berlynn Green with 10. Allie Mrnak and Nori Song scored eight and seven points respectively. 

Five different Lakers made 3-point shots. Here it was Randt leading the way with three makes. Green and Mrnak each made two long-rangers. Danielson and Song each made one. 

Randt led in rebounds with four. Danielson and Song set the pace in assists, each with three. Ankeny was all over the court as usual and led in steals with six. Danielson and Green each had three steals. Four Lakers each blocked a shot: Ankeny, Randt, Danielson and Haillie Schulz. 

The Lakers own a 10-2 record. WCA was left at 6-4.

 

Boys: 'Waska 51, WCA 40

The 'Waska boys had a tandem of senior guards who did a lot to sink the WCA Knights. The score in this 'Waska win was 51-40. Those sharpshooting guards were Marc Gruber and Tristan O'Neil. Both scored 17 points at the Barrett gym. 

WCA owned the one-point edge at halftime, 27-26. The Lakers owned the second half with their 25-13 advantage. Their coach Zachary Traphagen cited three factors lifting his team: defense, freethrow shooting and rebounding. 

Gruber and O'Neil were among just five total point-scorers for the victor. They were joined by Luke Danielson 7, Cavin Thorfinnson 5 and Caleb Kath 5. Gruber, Thorfinnson and Kath each made a 3-pointer. 

Danielson and Kath co-led in rebounds with eight while Gruber grabbed six. Kath dished out three assists. O'Neil had seven steals and Danielson two. O'Neil blocked two shots. Minnewaska owns a 5-4 record.

 

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