Update on Area Playoff Girls Basketball Action

In a Sub-Section 5AA-20 semi-final game, the second-place team from the Central Minnesota Conference defeated the second-place team from the West Central North Conference 51-41. Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted (22-6) won over New London-Spicer (21-7) for the second straight year in this game. It is the second straight season that NL-S finished without a trophy from their conference or their sub-section. It is only the third time since 1982 that NL-S has gone 1-1 in girls basketball playoffs. The Lakers' win over the Wildcats tonight speaks volumes about the toughness of the CMC.

In the other game in Sub-Section 5AA-20, Eden Valley-Watkins (22-4) pounded St.Cloud Cathedral (14-14) by a 66-30 score.

This win also echoes the fact that the CMC is the toughest small-school girls basketball conference in the area.

In 2006, Howard Lake lost to Eden Valley-Watkins 55-50 in the Sub-Section 5AA-20 championship game. Eden Valley went on to win Section 5AA and place fourth in the Class AA state tournament. They will meet again in the same game tomorrow night (Wed March 7) at Dassel-Cokato High School.

Score in girls basketball from Section 6AA:
6AA-North championship:
Pierz 46 (21-8), Braham 42 (18-11) @ St John's University
*The Pioneers avenge a 64-38 beating in December from the Bombers.
6AA-South championship:
Albany 48 (26-1), Sauk Centre 41 (22-5)
*A tough loss for the Mainstreeters, as three of their five losses this season have come against the second-ranked (Class AA) Huskies. Their 22-5 season is a school record in girls basketball at Sauk Centre. Hats off to them for bringing their girls basketball program back to a competitive level after numerous losing seasons this decade.