Jaguars girls basketball picks up a much-needed win at always-tough Pierz 52-44, Boys basketball scorches Ashby 91-59

The Jaguars girls basketball team made the most of a long road trip to Pierz tonight, as they picked up their 8th win of the season by a 52-44 margin over the Pioneers (9-13, 4-8 CMC). Seven players hit the scoring column for the Jaguars, led by junior Julie Hieserich's 15 points and two three-pointers.

The Jaguars, who led 29-18 at halftime, improve to 4-6 in the Central Minnesota Conference.

Up next: the Jaguars girls basketball team hosts Eden Valley-Watkins on Friday night in a CMC game. The Eagles (7-4 CMC, 9-11) are vastly improved from the last time the two teams met on January 7, when the Jaguars picked up their first win of the season in Eden Valley 53-34.

All four games remaining on the schedule for the Jaguars are home conference games, and they have a chance at running the table. A 12-14 overall record and 8-6 in the CMC would look very good going into the Sub-Section 6A-South tournament. They have a real shot at moving from 9th place in the sub-section to as high as 6th or 7th when seeding takes place later this month.

In a home game tonight, the Jaguars boys basketball team improved to 18-3 overall with a 91-59 over the sub-section Ashby Arrows (8-11). After leading 30-14 at halftime, the Jaguars cranked up the after-burners and proceeded to outscore the Arrows 61-45 in the second half. A total of 13 players scored for the Jaguars - the entire team.

Kevin Kuefler scored a team-high 25 points, with fellow junior Bennett Weller leading the team beyond the arc with four three-pointers.

Up next: the Jaguars boys basketball team travels to Paynesville next Tuesday for a non-conference game.

Central Minnesota Conference girls basketball results:
Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted 59, Maple Lake 20 (Lakers clinch first-ever CMC title)
Eden Valley-Watkins 45, Holdingford 39
Rockford 73, Kimball Area 38

Area boys basketball results:
NL-S 84, Albany 78
K-M-S 70, BL-H 54
Dawson-Boyd 70, Ortonville 58
Alexandria 60, Willmar 48
Morris/Chokio-Alberta 66, BOLD 44
Montevideo 82, A-C-GC 56
Paynesville 74, LQPV 70
Benson 68, Yellow Medicine East 39
Perham 72, West Central Area 58

Games involving Sub-Section 6A-South girls basketball teams:
Hancock 64, Underwood 51
Barnesville 50, Ada-Borup 46 (Ada-Borup is in the north half, they're 16-4)
Brandon-Evansville 59, Battle Lake 46
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy 54, Rothsay 39
Parkers Prairie 64, Ashby 27

Games involving Sub-Section 6A-South boys basketball teams:
Park Christian 76, Wheaton/Herman-Norcross 58

Area girls basketball scores:
Benson 58, Montevideo 47
MACCRAY 65, Renville County West 37
Dawson-Boyd 59, K-M-S 57
Upsala 61, Browerville 42

More will follow on Friday morning.

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