HURON – The Wall Eagles held off top-seeded Wolsey-Wessington 76-72 for a State B Girls’ Basketball Tournament semifinal win Friday night at the Huron Arena.
Wall scored the first five points of the game before the Warbirds answered back to take a 9-6 lead in the opening period. It would be a sign of things to come as the teams would trade baskets and leads for much of the game.
The game was tied at 16 before the Eagles scored the final six points to take a 22-16 lead into the second quarter. Wall extended its lead to 30-22 before Wolsey-Wessington clawed its way back into the game, eventually taking a 36-35 lead on a three-point play from Mya Boomsma with 8.3 seconds left. However, Wall responded with three points of its own for a 38-36 lead at the break.
Throughout the game, Wall was able to drive to the basket despite being outsized by the taller Warbirds. The Eagles were also able to capitalize on 17 offensive rebounds, which led to 12 second-chance points.
In the second half, the teams were tied five times and Wolsey-Wessington led just twice. The Eagles kept the Warbirds at bay, and after being tied at 60, Wall took the lead for good on a basket by Rhea Tucker. The Eagles were then able to hold off any attempt of a Warbird rally and secure a berth in the state championship game.
Wall was led by Nora Dinger with 24 points, including a game-high five 3-pointers. Paige Kjerstad had 17 points, while Tucker had 16 points and 15 rebounds. Alexis Stephan added nine points.
The Eagles will now take on defending champion Viborg-Hurley for the state championship at around 7:45 tonight.
Boomsma led Wolsey-Wessington with 21 points, while Mallory Miller and Leah Williams each had 20 points. Miller also collected 15 rebounds. Taylor Horn added nine points.
Wolsey-Wessington (22-3) will play Ethan at 6 tonight in the third-place game.
WALL (20-5): Nora Dinger 9 1-3 24, Paige Kjerstad 5 7-8 17, Rhea Tucker 6 4-7 16, April Schulz 2 0-0 4, Alexis Stephan 3 0-0 9, Chloe Fortune 0 0-0 0, Skylie Wagner 3 0-0 6. Totals 28 12-18 76.
WOLSEY-WESSINGTON (22-3): Leah Williams 5 8-8 20, Lainey Uttecht 0 0-0 0, Taylor Horn 4 0-0 9, Mya Boomsma 8 1-1 21, Mallory Miller 7 5-7 20, Payton Kemnitz 1 0-0 2. Totals 25 14-16 72.
Wall 22 38 55 76
Wolsey-Wessington 16 36 53 72
3-point field goal – Dinger 5, Stephan 3; Boomsma 4, Williams 2, Miller, Horn. Total fouls – Wall 12; Wolsey-Wessington 16. Rebounds – Wall 38 (Tucker 15); Wolsey-Wessington 30 (Miller 15). Turnovers – Wall 13; Wolsey-Wessington 18; Assists – Wall 10 (Dinger 4); Wolsey-Wessington 13 (Miller 4). Steals – Wall 16 (Dinger 3); Wolsey-Wessington 12 (Boomsma 2).
