WORTHINGTON -- Three-point field goals were flying Saturday night at Worthington High School.
Both the Trojans and visiting Windom Area netted their share, but in a one-sided contest the home team swept the regular season series with its Big South Conference rival in an 80-63 result.
The Eagles, who lost to Worthington 111-51 early this season, are a team that lacks height and lacks depth. But they shoot long-range jump shots well, and they converted 12 of 33 on Saturday. Sophomore guard Austin Doorenbos hit eight of them by himself, but the Trojans were 12-for-25 at the arc and possessed everything else the Eagles couldn’t handle.
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Karasharo Ojulu and Terbuto Ochothow both scored 19 points for Worthington, with Ojulu draining five 3-point shots and Ochothow making four. Brock Bruns added 12 points.
Windom Area stayed with the Trojans early, but after a 5-5 tie Worthington scored nine unanswered points. Worthington’s lead contracted midway into the second half, but with about seven minutes remaining the Trojans began running off a quick series of steals and scores, upping their lead to 42-21 as Windom Area resorted to a much-needed time-out.
It was 46-23 at halftime. Worthington easily maintained its lead throughout the second half, and head coach Clint Meyer was able to substitute freely in front of the Meet the Trojans Night crowd.
“We came out pretty well,” said the coach later. “I told the guys, Windom has been playing much better, so we have to come out pretty early. ... I told them we had to play 36 minutes. If they get hot with the three, they’re dangerous.”
In 15 previous games, the Eagles had attempted 552 3-point shots. In the rematch against the Trojans, however, they converted just four of them in the first half, compared to Worthington’s 10.
Doorenbos was especially hot from long range, however, and he led all scorers with 27 points -- hitting four 3s in the first half and four more in the second.
Conner Redman had 15 points and Kobe Lovell 14 for the visitors.
Ochothow and Ojulu each had six rebounds for Worthington and Bruns had nine. Ochothow had six assists and Ojulu had three.
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The win pushed Worthington to 9-8 on the season. Windom Area is 2-14.
Windom Area 23 63
Worthington 46 80
WINDOM AREA (3FG-2FG-FT-TP) -- Lovell 2-3-2-14, Pfeffer 0-1-1-3, Slette 0-0-0-0, Redman 1-6-0-15, A. Doorenbos 8-1-1-27, S. Doorenbos 1-0-0-3, Serreyn 0-0-1-1. Totals 12-11-5-63.
WORTHINGTON (3FG-2FG-FT-TP) -- Ojulu 5-2-0-19, Ochothow 4-2-3-19, Bruns 2-3-0-12, Weg 0-3-0-6, L. Boever 1-3-0-9, Bickett 0-0-1-1, Brandner 0-2-2-6, Russell 0-2-0-4, Beyene 0-1-0-2, Pavelko 0-1-0-2. Totals 12-19-6-80.
