Streeters can't hold down 8-point lead, fall to defending champs

They had them right where they wanted them.

Sauk Centre led 34-26 with 13:00 left to play in the second half of Friday’s state semi-final match up against Minnehaha Academy and their hopes of a state title run seemed imminent.

The Redhawks’ top guard, Sabrina Baker, had just turned the ball over forcing her head coach to call a timeout. Sauk Centre fans were on their feet while Redhawk fans fell silent.

But the Redhawks went on an 11-0 run to take their first lead of the game and they never let up as the Streeters’ state title hopes fell to the tune of a 50-43 score.

“At that point they just took over and we just didn’t make enough stops at the end,” said head coach Scott Bergman.

Shelby Deters and Macy Weller close in on Minnehaha Academy's Katelyn Adams Friday. The Streeters held Adams to 10 points, but struggled offensively, shooting just 29 percent from the floor in a 50-43 loss.

A bucket by Macy Weller tied the score at 39-39 with 5:37 left, but the Redhawks, led by Baker, pulled away by making their free throws down the stretch.

“They ended up getting a run on us and we were giving up some easy shots by not getting back in time,” said junior captain Kali Peschel, who was held to 14 points.

At the start, the Streeters came out strong, scoring the first seven points, and then leading 9-2 and 12-5. Emily Petermeier was the igniter, draining two three-pointers in the early goings. But the Redhawks battled back with some key runs. They had a 7-0 run to pull within one at 12-11. A bucket by Shelby Deters gave Sauk a 14-11 lead and then a three-pointer by Peschel put Sauk up 18-13. Krista Primus followed with a three for a 21-13 lead.

Kali Peschel goes up for a shot in the second half Friday. Peschel was constantly double teamed and on several occasions took contact without a foul call. The Streeters committed 17 personal fouls to Minnehaha Academy's 13.

But once again the Redhawks strung together a run of baskets, going on a 10-2 run before Greenwaldt hit a three at the buzzer for a 26-23 halftime lead for the Streeters.

Tied at 26-26 in the second half, Sauk went on an 8-0 run of their own, highlighted by three-pointers by Greenwaldt and Peschel.

But the Redhawks virtually shut down the Streeter offense the rest of the way, allowing just nine points in the last 13 minutes of play. Peschel simply couldn’t break through the double team she attracted every time she touched the ball.

“They probably did as good a job on Kali as any team we have seen,” said Bergman.

Peschel still led the squad with 14 points, but shot just 4-for-22 from the field and 2-for-8 from three-point range.

Streeter fans cheered til the very end Friday, and there is no doubt there will be a faithful following at today's third place game against Providence Academy, who lost 59-50 to Braham. Braham and Minnehaha Academy faced off in last year's state finals with Minnehaha winning.

“I tried to do everything I could to help our team,” Peschel said. “It just wasn’t enough tonight. Our offense wasn’t crisp at all.”

The Streeters shot just 29 percent from the floor and only 24 percent in the second half. Minnehaha Academy shot 39 percent for the game, but more importantly 47 percent in the second half.

“It’s disappointing,” said Bergman. “We obviously wanted to get to the championship game and we were in great shape up 34-26. But they showed why they are the defending champs.”

Peschel, a junior, said she felt bad for the team’s seniors.

“We’re disappointed,” she said. “It was a letdown tonight, but we’re ready for tomorrow. Not too many teams can say they won their last game of the year so that’s our focus for tomorrow.”

Streeter fans gave the players a standing ovation after Friday's loss. The fan following has been nothing short of phenomenal. No matter where the team places, the Sauk Centre fans are no doubt No. 1 in the state.

The Streeters will play the loser of Braham and Providence Academy at noon Saturday at Concordia-St. Paul University.

Sauk Centre                        26  17  -  43

Minn. Academy                  23  27  -  50

Sauk Centre: Kali Peschel 14 (6 rebounds, 4 blocks), Emily Petermeier 10, Maren Greenwaldt 7 (3 rebounds), Macy Weller 4 (7 rebounds), Shelby Deters 4 (8rebounds), Krista Primus 3, Kourtney Nelson 1. FG 15-52. 3PT 7-23. FT 6-10. PF 17.

Minnehaha Academy: Sarina Baker 15 (7 rebounds, 4 assists), Katelyn Adams 10 (6 rebounds), Nicole Nipper 9, Gabbi Stienstra8 (5 rebounds), Jana Halstengard 3 (6 rebounds), Andrea Scharf 3, Natalie Stevens 2. FG 16-41. 3PT 5-14. FT 13-23. PF 13.