The Jaguars girls basketball team fell behind by as many as 24 points in the second half, though, as Hancock won for the 12th time this season against no losses. The Owls are looking for a top two seed in Sub-Section 6A-South, and tonight they showed no reason why they shouldn't be considered one of the teams to beat in Section 6A.
The Owls jumped out to leads of 8-0 and then 29-13 before the Jaguars closed out the first half on a 9-2 run.
Fifth-ranked Hancock was helped by 21-of-23 shooting from the free throw line. For the Jaguars, junior Shyan Kuefler had a huge night, getting 19 points and 9 rebounds.
In this clip below, Shyan Kuefler forces a jump ball on a Hancock inbounds pass. Later, Raeann Sorenson slashes into the lane for a layup to cut into a big Hancock lead. With 6:36 left in the first half, Hancock was up 25-13.
Kuefler, along with Ashley Kirckof, earn points at the line for the Jaguars in the first half tonight.
Hopefully many of you can make the 65-70 mile trip tomorrow to Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted High School, three miles south of Howard Lake. There, the Lakers will host our Jaguars boys basketball team in a showdown between top teams in the Central Minnesota Conference. While I doubt the team is, I sure am nervous about it! Hopefully the Jaguars are in top form and come back home with a win.
Area boys basketball scores on January 17:
Minnewaska Area 70, Albany 55 (Lakers win a battle between top Section 6AA teams)
Browerville 54, Parkers Prairie 50
Ortonville 72, Benson 55
Maccray 83, Lac qui Parle Valley 55
Ulen-Hitterdal 64, Fertile-Beltrami 59
Battle Lake 62, Henning 39 (Battlers are 9-0)
Litchfield 79, Melrose Area 70
Area girls basketball scores on Jan. 17:
Browerville 70, Swanville 56
Benson 66, West Central Area 62 Benson remains the top team in Sub-Section 6AA-West)
Upsala 79, Kimball Area 59
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