Updates: two BIG conference games tonight

I'll do my best to post updates tonight with sources in Howard Lake and also Holdingford. Let's go Jaguars!!

With under 10 minutes left in the first half, the Jaguars boys' basketball team has an 11-6 lead in rural Howard Lake. With 6:29 left before halftime, the lead stands at 17-6, and HL-W-W called a timeout. With 1:44 left, it's B-B-E 26, HL-W-W 11. *HALFTIME: B-B-E 29, HL-W-W 14. The Lakers have sniped from three-point land to get their way to 14 points; they scored 8 points in the last 3 minutes of the first half. Of HL-W-W's 14 points, 12 are by the three-point line.

At Holdingford, the Jaguars girls' basketball team trails 21-14 at halftime. Time to rally! They really need to win this game!

Second half at HL-W-W:
With 15:39 left, it's B-B-E 35, HL-W-W 18. Alex Smith, one of the Lakers' top players, just went to the bench with his 4th personal foul. Now with 13 minutes left, it's 39-22. **The Jaguars are pulling away as the end of the game approaches. With 2:35 left, two David Rodgers free throws put the Jaguars ahead 53-28. Final score: B-B-E 55, HL-W-W 37. Scoring for the Jaguars: Brian Goodwin 22, Nick Benton 8, David Rodgers 6, Billy Borgerding 6, James Kuefler 5, Trey Heinsius 4, Justin Schmitz 2, Alex Schumann 2.

Second half at Holdingford:
Sadly, our girls are getting hammered and trail 45-24 with about 6 minutes left in the game. That may be a hole too big to dig out of. Final score: Holdingford 48, B-B-E 38.

Central Minnesota Conference boys' basketball scores on Dec. 13:
Rockford Area 69, Eden Valley-Watkins 61  (at Rockford)
Kimball Area 80, Pierz 61 (at Pierz)

The Cubs, beaten and battered in an 0-9 football season, are now off to a 6-1 start to their season, the best start they've seen in over 10 seasons. Their lone loss was to A-C-GC by a 74-71 score in Grove City on December 5.

Time for me to sit down and relax! Tough loss for our girls' basketball team, but they'll come back and take it to Kimball next Tuesday (at home!) So let's come out and cheer them on as they seek their 4th win of the season.

Question: how many of you will I see at Minnetonka high school tomorrow night? (NOTE: get there early - at least one hour early - or you may not get a seat.) Tip off against Minneapolis North will be at 6:00pm. No rest for the restless!!

Area boys' basketball scores on December 13:
Albany 52, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 31.
New London-Spicer 64, Minnewaska Area 45
Ashby 71, Henning 50
Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City 77, Paynesville Area 72


Area girls' basketball scores on December 13:
Sauk Centre 70, Melrose Area 29 (wow)
Wheaton/Herman-Norcross 58, Hancock 52 (OT)