Streeters boys basketball opens the playoffs with a grueling 61-57 win over Holdingford

For the first time since 2007, the Sauk Centre Mainstreeters boys basketball team has won a playoff game.  The Streeters have shaken off three years of losing basketball to earn an impressive #2 seed for the Sub-Section 6AA-East playoffs.

It wasn't easy, though.

Seventh-seeded Holdingford entered the game 7-19 overall, and in their only meeting with Sauk Centre this season, they lost 74-43 back in December.

In Sauk Centre tonight, the visiting Huskers gave the Streeters all they wanted, but fortunately the Maroon came out on top 61-57 to advance to the sub-section semifinals.

Up next: a classic rivalry game on Saturday night at St.John's University. Tip off is at 7:45pm, and the opponent will be none other than the Melrose Area Dutchmen - crosstown I-94 rivals with the Streeters.

Melrose beat #6 seed St.John's Prep 75-55 tonight in their quarterfinal game.

Section 6AA East and West quarterfinal results tonight:
Pierz 62, Albany 60
Sauk Centre 61, Holdingford 57
Minnewaska Area 69, Osakis 40
West Central Area 62, Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta 61 2 OT (a #6 seed upsets the heavily-favored #3 seed)
Melrose Area 75, St.John's Prep 55
New London-Spicer survived an upset bid by winless Paynesville Area 86-71, the Bulldogs had the Wildcats on the ropes at halftime - in fact, with 4:47 left in the first half, the Bulldogs held a 28-25 lead!
Breckenridge 66, Benson 64 (Roger Lindahl's Braves have an early exit from the playoffs)
Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 69, Staples-Motley 44

Interestingly, the last season that Sauk Centre won a playoff game, back in 2006-2007, the Dutchmen and Streeters met in the sub-section championship. Melrose won that game 52-47.