Girls Basketball: Sauk Centre pounds Willmar

Tribune Sports, West Central Tribune
All hands
Sauk Centre’s Brianna VonWalde looks to pass off while pressed by Willmar’s Laura Swartz, left, and Heather Horning with Lindsey Atchison in background in the first half at Willmar on Tuesday, a non-conference game that concluded the Mainstreeters’ regular season with a 20-4 record.

Tribune Staff Report

WILLMAR — Sauk Centre spoiled “Brad Atchison Appreciation Night” Tuesday by tripping up Willmar 74-44 in a non-conference tilt.

Atchison, who has a career record of 588-248 between Willmar, MACCRAY, Midwest Minnesota and Clara City, was honored before the game for his coaching accomplishments.

But it was the accomplishments on the court that Sauk Centre made that stole the show.

The Mainstreeters (20-4) were in front for the entire game and put together a 16-4 run to break away from a 16-15 score and take a 32-19 lead at halftime. Sauk Centre then outscored the Cardinals 42-25 in the second half.

“We had some good shots and some layup opportunities, but it was the theme of the season right now, the shots just aren’t dropping,” said Willmar assistant coach Jenyne Beehler. “You have to give all the credit to Sauk Centre. They are a nice team. They are really fast and strong and they had a really nice game.”

Macy Weller pumped in 24 points and Jena Klaphake and Ashley Gruber added another 12 each for Sauk Centre, which shot 60 percent from the field. The taller Mainstreeters also had a 2-to-1 advantage in the rebounding department.

Heather Horning paced Willmar (11-13) with 11 points. The Cardinals conclude the regular season Thursday at home against St. Cloud Apollo on Senior Night.

Sauk Centre 74, Willmar 44

Sauk Centre (20-4) 32 42 — 74

Willmar (11-13) 19 25 — 44

SAUK CENTRE – 28-47 FG (5-11 3-pt); 13-17 FT; 28 rebounds; 9 fouls … Scoring: Krista Primus 1, Jena Klaphake 12, Jordan Gamradt 4, Kali Peschel 14, Lexie Berscheit 3, Macy Weller 24, Breanne Ilgen 2, Ashley Gruber 12, Brianna VonWalde 2 … 3-point shots: Peschel 2, Berscheit 1, Weller 2 … Rebound leaders: Weller 7 … Assist leaders: Peschel 3 … Steal leaders: Peschel 3

WILLMAR – 18-60 FG (4-14 3-pt); 4-5 FT; 16 rebounds; 14 fouls … Scoring: Lindsey Atchison 5, Addy Nelsen 5, Heather Horning 11, Anne Dunham 4, Megan Skalla 6, Laura Swartz 6, Katie Lippert 3, Sarah Roehl 4 … 3-point shots: Nelsen 1, Horning 1, Swartz 2 … Rebound leaders: none … Assist leaders: Horning 5, Atchison 4 … Steal leaders: Atchison 3, Swartz 3

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