Jaguars Basketball -- Stunning 74-71 Loss to Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted ... Lady Jaguars Basketball Drops 62-44 Contest at #1 Eden Valley-Watkins

Our young Jaguars basketball team caved to the pressure of a fierce comeback effort by Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted tonight at the B-B-E High school gym. The Jaguars were within one minute of reversing a 15-point loss only two weeks ago to the Lakers (3-9 CMC, 9-14). They had led for 35 of 36 minutes in the game, at some parts of the game ahead by 10-14 points. The Lakers tied the game at 71-71 on a three-pointer before making three free throws in the final minute to win the game.

The C-squad Jaguars team won 71-51 and reversed a big loss to the Lakers at Howard Lake two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, at Eden Valley-Watkins, the Lady Jaguars basketball team was trying to knock down the Eagles, who currently sit alone in first place in the CMC. It did not happen, as they lost 62-44 and fell to 7-6 in the Central Minnesota Conference.

The B-squad Lady Jaguars swept the season series from Eden Valley-Watkins while improving to 16-4 overall. Their 16 wins ties their win total from the previous season.

Meanwhile around the Central Minnesota Conference...
BOYS BASKETBALL
(NON-conference) @ Royalton 40 (5-16), Maple Lake 50 (13-10)
(NON-conference) @ Upsala 46 (5-15), Holdingford 68 (15-8)
(NON-conference) @ Mora 52 (8-14), Pierz 71 (19-4)

GIRLS BASKETBALL
@ Rockford 61 (7-6 CMC, 13-12, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted 80 (11-2 CMC, 20-5)
*Rockets have lost 4 in a row; the Lakers set up a CMC championship game in their season finale, needing a win over Eden Valley-Watkins to tie for the championship.
@ Pierz 62 (8-5 CMC, 17-8), Maple Lake 41 (4-9 CMC, 10-14)
*The Irish have only one win in the last eight games and two wins in their last 11.
@ Kimball Area 43 (0-13 CMC, 3-19), Holdingford 89 (3-10 CMC, 6-16)

Up next for the Lady Jaguars is a trip on Thursday night to 7th-ranked (Class A) Hancock. They follow that the next night with a home outing against Pierz, who currently sits alone in third place in the CMC at 8-5. A win over the Pioneers would put the Lady Jaguars into a third-place tie in the CMC. **Friday night's game with the Pioneers is Parents' Night, not Monday night as was stated in the newspapers. Next Monday is Seniors' Night, when the Lady Jaguars host the Upsala Cardinals (10-10).

The Jaguars basketball team travels Friday the short trip through Greenwald and New Munich up to Melrose (16-6), who just lost to New London-Spicer tonight 57-44. NL-S has a strong chance of gaining the #2 seed in Sub-Section 5AA-20, which is seeded tomorrow night.

The Jaguars wrestling team will open up the Section 5A individual tournament on Friday, beginning at 5:00pm, at the Kimball Area High School. Action resumes the next day (Sat Feb 24) at Noon. It would be well worth your time and expense to make the trip Saturday to Kimball and support a very fun to watch Jaguars wrestling team.

Note that all playoff action prices are $6 for adults and $4 for students. Season passes are not accepted during playoffs, though "Section" passes are available.

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