BY MIKE KOSIK
Staff Writer
The Holdingford boys basketball team finished the regular season as the Central Minnesota Conference champions. Holdingford capped the season with two road victories last week giving them a 13-1 record in the conference and 22-4 overall. "The guys were excited about winning the conference title," said coach Nate Miller.
"It has always been a regular season goal of our team. They have put in the time and effort and they really deserve it. It was a great accomplishment for them and our program," he said. While the two wins last week over Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa and Pierz locked up the conference championship for the Huskers, it was a victory over Eden Valley-Watkins that proved crucial. Both teams were locked in a tie for first when the Eagles came to Holdingford Feb. 24. The Huskers prevailed 69-64. It was the second time this season Holdingford beat EV-W, who are second in the Central Minnesota Conference As did Holdingford, EV-W finished the season wining it's final games against the same two teams the Huskers closed their season against. To ensure the conference championship, the Huskers needed to win their last two games - both on the road. They first beat Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Feb. 28 by a 62-36 score and then finished the week March 3 with a 79-56 victory over Pierz. "We came out in both games and tried to get the tempo in our favor defensively," Miller said. "The guys did a great job of disrupting some of what BBE wanted to do offensively. We were able to take advantage of our size and get some easy baskets as well." Holdingford then went against Pierz. "We had a little harder time in Pierz guarding on the perimeter," Miller said. He noted that Matt Toutges (31 points) of Pierz had a good game against the Huskers. "Toutges did a good job of breaking us down and finding ways to get his shot off and he hurt us in both halves. We made enough plays and shot the ball well in the first half to give us a little separation," Miller said. In that game, Matt Catlin led the Huskers with 28 points. Blake Patrick scored 17 and Joe Meier 13. Meier led his team in scoring against BBE with 18.
The Huskers open the Section 6AA West tournament hosting St. John's Prep this Thursday, March 9 at 7 p.m. Holdingford got the third seed and St. John's Prep the sexth.
"The regular season was a success and we were able to string a good run together after the Christmas break," Miller said. Three out of Holdingford's four losses came before Dec. 25 - Sauk Centre, Milaca and Melrose.
Since then, Holdingford has gone on a 20-1 run. "Hopefully we can carry some of that momentum into the playoffs. We know that what we have done up to this point doesn't matter and everyone is starting 0-0 come playoff time and we have to continue to do the little things we have done all year," he said.
The winner of the Holdingford-St. John's game plays the winner of the Sauk Centre (no. 2 seed) - Royalton (no. 7) game Saturday, March 11 at St. John's University in a game scheduled to start at 6 p.m.
Melrose got the number one seed.
The Section 6AA West championship game will be played at St. John's University Tuesday, March 14. The West winner faces the East winner Friday, March 17, at Halenbeck Hall on the campus of St. Cloud State University to determine who advances to state.
Holdingford vs. BBE
Tyson Patrick 9, Blake Patrick 6, Dalton Frink 7, Austin Lange 2, Thomas Strusz 2, Isaiah Folsom 6, Evan DeMorett 3, Jared Thell 2, Adam Ripplinger 2, Matt Catlin 5, Joe Meier 18.
Holdingford vs. Pierz
T. Patrick 3, B. Patrick 17, Frink 2, Andrew Yamry 4, Lange 4, Folsom 3, DeMorett 4, Caeleb Johnson 4, Catlin 28, Meier 13.
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