Harris-Lake Park raced out to a 12-0 lead over Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayshire Thursday night in Boys Class 1A District basketball and never looked back, overtaking the Raiders in a 64-39 win. The Wolves led 20-8 after one quarter and extended the lead to 40-16 at half behind a balanced scoring attack. HLP was led by Eli Ihnen with 17 points. Ihnen also crossed the 400 point mark on the season during the victory. Brady Nissen was not far behind with 16 points for the Wolves, while Tanner Hiveley registered eleven. The Raiders received a team-high nine points from Mitch Girres who had nine points, all coming from beyond the arc. Dylan Smith came off the bench to score eight points. GT/RA’s season ends at 6-16. The Wolves improve to 21-0 and move on to face Newell-Fonda next Tuesday in Lake Park. That district semifinal can be heard on Q102 starting at 6:45pm. The Mustangs advanced with a 61-40 defeat of Laurens-Marathon.
Click here for the postgame interview with coach Jeff Sohn.
Elsewhere in Class 1A, defending champion Storm Lake St. Mary’s earned a 76-42 decision over Pocahontas Area/Pomeroy-Palmer, setting up a semifinal contest with Algona Bishop Garrigan. The Golden Bears won by a 58-46 margin against Manson NW Webster. In the District 4 bracket, Boyden-Hull ended Sibley-Ocheyedan’s year with a 52-30 setback. The Comets will play Tuesday against Akron-Westfield, who eliminated West Sioux, 46-30. Siouxland Conference rivals George-Little Rock and Central Lyon will square off for a third time this season. The Lions won a 70-52 contest over Rock Valley, and the Mustangs dominated Trinity Christian to a 59-39 victory.
Behind a 12-0 run to start the second half, Emmetsburg cruised to a 63-44 triumph over South O’Brien in the Class 2A District semifinal in Paullina. The E-Hawks had three players reach double figures, led by Jake Jackson with a game-high 21 points. Ryan Kliegl notched 18 points and Marcus Akridge had thirteen points. Adam Paulsen was the only player in double figures for the Wolverines, capping his remarkable career with 20 points. South O’Brien finishes the season at 17–5, while Emmetsburg has now won eight in a row and improves to 15–8. Next up is a battle with Sioux Center for the district title. That game will be Tuesday at 7pm in LeMars. The Warriors advanced with a 70-52 win over Unity Christian.
Also in Class 2A, Estherville-Lincoln Central’s season came to a close with a 71-47 setback to perennial power Western Christian. The Midgets cap their season at 8-16. The Wolfpack advance to the district final against Sheldon after the Orabs eliminated West Lyon, 57-38. That matchup will be Tuesday in Orange City.
