The girls basketball team from Estherville-Lincoln Central hung tough in the Class 2A state championship game, however, in the end, top-ranked and undefeated OA-BCIG was too much in a 46-35 defeat of the Midgets. ELC got to within two with less than five minutes remaining, then the Falcons went on a game-ending 14-5 run to close out their perfect season at 26-0. Alyssa Johnson notched another double-double with ten points and eleven rebounds and Emily Kirchner also pitched in with ten points to pace the Midgets. Both were also named to the All-Tournament team. Estherville’s season ends at 23-5 and as runner-up in Class 2A. They will return all five starters next year, and lose just one senior.
The Class 1A title went to Martensdale-St. Mary’s. They defeated Ar-We-Va 40-23 to finish out a 26-2 campaign.
North of the border, Jackson County Central’s girls’ team advanced to the Class AA Section finals with a 66-38 victory over Fairmont. The Huskies will take on Yellow Medicine East next week Friday at Southwest Minnesota State, for the right to go to state. JCC is 25-2. Fairmont’s season ends at 15-9.