TROJAN GIRLS BASKETBALL: Worthington girls take down St. James, claim 3rd

ST. JAMES — K.C. Riley scored a team-high 16 points to help the Worthington Trojans claim third place in a 65-42 win over the St. James Saints at the St. James Girls Basketball Holiday Tournament Friday.

“It was nice to come back with a whole-team effort after yesterday’s loss,” Trojan coach Eric Lindner said. “We had balanced scoring and were able to pass the ball really well.”

St. James kept it close early in the first half, but heavy pressure by the Trojans forced the Saints to turn the ball over and allowed the Trojans to take control of the game. Worthington caused 26 turnovers in the game.

“St. James started out the half strong and they were able to hit some 3-pointers to take an early lead,” Lindner said. “But we were able to cause some turnovers and take back the lead.”

The Trojans led 29-15 by the end of the first half and never looked back.

“We got some open looks on the baseline and K.C. Riley was able to take advantage of that,” Lindner said. “It was a breakout night for K.C., she shot really well for us. I can’t remember her missing more than two shots in the game.”

Eleven players scored for Worthington on the night, with five players picking up six points or more.

“A lot of kids got minutes tonight,” Lindner said. “That helped us spread out the scoring.”

Second on the team in scoring was Paige Gravenhof with 15 as well as eight rebounds, four assists and four steals for the Trojans, while Becca Linder added eight points and eight rebounds. Apiew Alwal put up nine points to go along with six points by Lydia Kemper.

St. James was led by Julia Beckius (16 points) and Aryn Eckstrom (12 points).

The Trojans (7-2) host Wabasso Thursday at 6 p.m.

Worthington 29 36 — 65

St. James 15 27 — 42

Ellsworth 45, MLA 36

MOUNTAIN LAKE — Alexa Huisman led the Ellsworth Panther with 17 points in a nine-point win over the Mountain Lake Area Wolverines Friday in the championship game of the Mountain Lake Area Holiday Tournament.

The game was tied at 19 points apiece at halftime, but the Wolverines hit a cold shooting streak in the second half and were unable to match the Panthers scoring.

Alexa Huisman topped Ellsworth with 14 points, while Bridget Kramer added nine more. Hannah Mulder and Alissa Walters each scored eight points. Mulder pulled down 12 rebounds and Amber Walkowiak posted four assists.

Janessa Peters led MLA with 19 points in the game, while Whitney Klassen chipped in eight more.

Ellsworth (4-6) travels to Southwest Christian on Thursday, while MLA (5-3) plays at Fulda against the Raiders Thursday.

Ellsworth 19 26 — 45

MLA 19 17 — 36

Westbrook-WG 65,

Truman 54

MOUNTAIN LAKE — Paige Erickson powered the Westbrook-Walnut Grove Chargers past Truman with 26 points, 11 rebounds, six steals and four assists in the third place game of the Mountain Lake Holiday Tournament Friday.

The Chargers held an 11-point lead at halftime and ended the game by the same margin.

Elizabeth Woelber had 10 points and four steals for W-WG, while Kelsi Wahl had 10 assists and eight points. Abby Herding rounded out the Chargers scoring with eight points and five steals.

Truman’s leading scorer was Brooke McDonald, who dropped 20 points in the game to go along with 18 points by Cleo Maloney.

W-WG (4-5, 3-2) hosts Southwestern United Thursday.

W-WG 37 28 — 65

Truman 26 28 — 54

United South Central 60, Jackson CC 44

ST. CLAIR — Even with Marita Rasche putting up a game-high 20 points, the Jackson County Central Huskies fell to United South Central in the semi final round of the St. Clair Holiday Tournament Friday.

The Huskies were within five points heading into halftime, but USC picked up 20 defensive rebounds in the second half to stifle the JCC offense. UCS outrebounded the Huskies 51-35 in the game.

Lydia Brandt added eight points, eight rebounds and three steals for the Huskies, while Kaylee Burmeister picked up seven points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Leading USC with 16 points was Anissa Janzig, while Amanda Allis had 12 points.

JCC plays St. Clair in the third place game today.

JCC 22 22 — 44

USC 27 33 — 60

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