Class B State Tournament: Day 1 Recap/Day 2 Preview
The Class B State Tournament kicked off Thursday. Four teams advanced to the semifinals. In the biggest games of the year, Grafton, Trenton, Langdon/Edmore/Munich and Central Cass advanced to the semifinal round. Here’s who stood out: Walker Demers, Grafton Demers…
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Continue ReadingThe Class B State Tournament kicked off Thursday. Four teams advanced to the semifinals. In the biggest games of the year, Grafton, Trenton, Langdon/Edmore/Munich and Central Cass advanced to the semifinal round.
Here’s who stood out:
Walker Demers, Grafton
Demers was a defensive force in the Spoilers’ win over Rugby and finished with 11 points and 15 rebounds and four blocks. The 6-foot-3 freshman center held down the fort against a talented Panther frontline. Her offense is a bonus for a team that’s got three double-figure scoring perimeter players, but her ability to screen and finish around the rim gives Grafton another element on the offensive end of the floor.
Rylie Holzer, Central Cass
Holzer stuffed the stat sheet for the Squirrels, scoring seven points, grabbing four rebounds and dishing out four assists. She didn’t force the issue offensively, but got the free throw line and did a great job helping control the tempo. Her defense was terrific, as the top scorers for LLM struggled mightily from the field. The Squirrels’ strength is undoubtedly their depth, but Holzer is a constant in their attack.
Callie Ronningen, Langdon/Edmore/Munich
With a state title in sight, the Cardinals got what they needed from their leader. Ronningen stuffed the stat sheet and dominated on both ends of the floor. The senior forward scored 17 points and grabbed six rebounds. She didn’t shoot the ball all that well, but she more than made up for it was an outstanding defensive performance. She blocked shots, she wreaked havoc on the ball, and was a terror in the passing lanes all night, helping the Cardinals limit both Sam Oase inside and Bailee Pierce on the perimeter.
Raquel Archer, Trenton
The Skyhawks had to feel good about the work they did on the Tigers’ go-to players. Kaity Hove scored 20 points, but her impact as a facilitator was mostly neutralized as she took 16 shots and only had five assists. The St. Pierre sisters, Kella Norby and Jacee Turcotte combined to score just 21 points on 29 shots. But how could they have accounted for Archer having perhaps her best game of the season? The junior guard knocked down three 3-pointers and scored 15 points to help the Tigers beat Shiloh Christian 56-50.
Things to Watch on Friday:
Grafton vs. Trenton
This one should be awfully fun, as both of these teams like to get up and down the floor, push the tempo, share it and shoot it. The point guard matchup between Kaity Hove and Carlee Sieben is going to be a big key as the two represent the true elite at the position in Class B. The Spoilers have more size and length, as Walker Demers, Julia Dusek and Cassie Sieben all have height advantages over their counterparts. But don’t sleep on the Tigers. Alyssa St. Pierre, Jacee Turcotte and Alexa St. Pierre all struggled in Thursday’s win over Shiloh but were able to make enough winning plays – don’t expect them to struggle as much again. It feels like Grafton has a little more juice especially if Demers delivers another double-double, but this Trenton team is no underdog. That point guard matchup might be what decides the outcome.
LEM vs. Central Cass
Central Cass dominated a red-hot LLM squad in its opening-round win and the Squirrels are looking to go giant-slaying Friday in what has become a run for the ages. Their depth has become a clear weapon, as they come at teams in waves on both ends of the floor and have so many different players who can bend the game in their favor. LEM feels like the heavy favorite and if there was pressure for them to win that opening round game, it didn’t show much. The Cardinals can win in a variety of ways and even in a game where they didn’t shoot it all that well, they were suffocating defensively. Their collective length is going to be a problem especially for a smaller team like Central Cass – but Kindred had that kind of length too, and it didn’t tip the scales against the Squirrels. Can the Cardinals get a little more oompf offensively from players like Kaitlyn Scherr and Kaylee Lowery? They don’t have the same kind of depth that Central Cass has, but they undoubtedly have more reliable and experienced high-end talent. Will it show on the stage Friday?
Players to Watch in the consolations:
Sam Oase, Hettinger/Scranton
Grace Kelly, Shiloh Christian
Mykell Heidlebaugh, Rugby
Molly Musland, LaMoure/Litchville-Marion