Boys basketball playoffs: Superlarks hold off Rebel charge
Published 11:21 pm Monday, February 22, 2016
Southland’s Chris Webber takes the ball on the drive against Grand Meadow’s Wes Ojulu in the second half of their Section 1A West semifinal matchup Monday at Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. Eric Johnson/photdoesk@austindailyherald.com
ROCHESTER — The No. 2 seeded Grand Meadow boys basketball team had a group of players who had never won a Section 1A boys basketball tournament game before this season and they had lost to Southland by 14 points on Dec. 18.
Grand Meadow’s Terrell Rieken floats a shot during the first half of their Section 1A West semifinal matchup against Southland Monday at Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. Eric Johnson/photdoesk@austindailyherald.com
But the Superlarks showed what kind of competitors they are as they fought off a second half Rebel rally to knock off No. 3 Southland 64-60 in the Section 1A West semifinals in Mayo Civic Center Monday.
GM led by as many 14 points, but the Rebels (11-13 overall) stormed back to take a 50-48 lead with six minutes left in the game behind a flurry of threes from James Landherr and Jared Landherr. Both teams went back and fourth for the next five minutes and GM finally took control when Terrell Rieken, who had 23 points, 15 rebounds and six blocked shots, came up with back-to-back hoops to put his team up 61-58 with one minute left.
Southland missed a game-tying three and Connor King, who had 13 points, went 2-for-2 from the line to ice the game for the Larks (21-5 overall).
“Our team loves to fight. We knew it was going to be a battle in the second half and we knew they were going to make shots,” GM head coach Bob Burmester said. “They kept throwing punches at us and we came with some counter punches. We got our nerves out in the first playoff game, from there it’s just fun. They like the big stage and they played big tonight.”
The Superlark senior class had never been a part of a playoff basketball win before this season, but they’ve found a way to carry over some of their football success to the hardwood. Michael Stejskal, who had 10 points and seven rebounds, said GM is playing with a lot of belief in itself.
“I think before we lacked confidence. Coming into this year, we’ve had success in football and that, along with our experience, gave us confidence,” Stejskal said. “It’s not really about our skill, it’s our confidence to win games and how hard we work.“
Rieken had an immediate impact for GM as he blocked three shots in the first minute of the contest. He was able to keep the Rebel inside attack at bay for much of the night.
“For our first time being here, it’s something new. You’ve just got to get used to it and once you settle, it’s fun,” Rieken said. “I know if I’m going my team will be going with me. If I’ve got their back, they’ve got my back.”
GM will play No. 1 seeded Goodhue for the Section 1A West title in Mayo Civic Center 11 a.m. Saturday.
Southland 16 44 — 60
GM 30 34 — 64
GM scoring: Terrell Rieken, 23; Connor King, 13; Michael Stejskal, 10; Reid Buschamnn, 10; Trevor Sloan, 4; free throws: 54 percent (12-for-22); rebounds: 29 (Rieken, 15); turnovers: 6
Southland’s Josh Anderson shoots over Grand Meadow’s Terrell Rieken and Michael Stejskal during the second half of their Section 1A West semifinal matchup Monday at Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. Eric Johnson/photdoesk@austindailyherald.com
Southland scoring: Jared Landherr, 20; James Landherr, 13; Chris Webber, 13; Jackson Koenigs, 6; Josh Anderson, 6; Lee Wilson, 2; rebounds: 25 (Koenigs, 8); turnovers: 5