D-E-F-E-N-S-E!
That was the mantra Thursday night in the Mainstreeter boys’
sub-section quarterfinal win over Osakis in Sauk Centre.
The Streeters (22-4) held the Silverstreaks to just two
baskets in the first half on their way to a 51-17 victory. The win advances
them to Saturday’s semi-final against No. 4 –seeded Pierz (14-13) who defeated
Staples-Motley 77-58 in Pierz.
The Streeters scored the first 13 points before Osakis
finally made a basket, and led 23-5 at the half. They were equally impressive
in the second half by outscoring the Silverstreaks 28-12.
Austin Nelson closed out the first half with a steal at half
court where he raced to the basket and made a reverse layup just before the
buzzer sounded. Nelson led all scorers with 12 points. Shariff Silas chipped in
nine points.
Cole Neubert and Tanner Schmiesing each had seven points and
Neubert grabbed 10 rebounds.
Sauk outrebounded the Silverstreaks 36-15 on the night.
In other Section 6AA action last night No. 2 seeded Melrose
defeated No. 7 Pierz 84-62. No. 3 seed Long Prairie-Grey Eagle beat Holdingford
59-35. Melrose and LPGE will meet this Saturday at St. John’s University
following the Streeters game. On the east side of the sub-section, top-seeded
Eden-Valley Watkins defeated Benson 75-42. No. 4 seeded New London-Spicer beat
No. 5 seed Minnewaska 69-63. No. 3 seed Litchfield defeated St. John’s Prep
60-33. The upset came from No. 7 Paynesville who beat No. 2 seed Morris 74-71.
Eden Valley-Watkins will play New London-Spicer at 5 p.m. at
St. John’s University Saturday. Litchfield will take on Paynesville in the
nightcap at approximately 6:30 p.m.
The sub-section finals will be held Tuesday at St. John’s
with the west teams playing at 6 p.m. and the east playing right after. The
section final will be held at St. Cloud State University’s Halenbeck Hall on
Friday, March 6.
