PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL: Lancers advance to Section 3A North Finals
MARSHALL – The No. 1 Canby girls basketball team held No. 4 Central Minnesota Christian Schools to a dismal shooting performance, as the Lancers defeated the Bluejays 70-33 in the Section 3A North Semifinals Tuesday night at SMSU.
CMCS kicked off the game with the first three points. Canby would respond with an 8-0 run to take an 8-3 lead early, before reaching its first double-digit advantage of the night at 15-5 with 8:38 left in the first half.
Canby kept its foot on the gas pedal throughout the rest of the first half, as the Lancers went up by 16 at 23-7 with five minutes left. One of the keys for the Lancers in the first half was their ability to attack the rim and get to the free-throw line, as Canby reached its biggest lead of the first half at 23, 30-7.
CMCS would end the first half on a little run of its own, as they forced Canby to turn the ball over to get back into the game. The Bluejays capitalized at the free-throw line, but the Lancers led at the half, 33-14.
Canby’s Norah King said their biggest key in the first half was their ability to rebound CMCS’ misses and get out in transition.
“I think the best thing we did was crash the boards and it led to transition offense,” said King. “I was able to get around the defense and look to get to the open spot for the rebound.”
The Lancers held the Bluejays to just six percent (2 of 31) shooting from the field in the first half, but CMCS hit 10 of 12 from the free-throw line.
Canby coach Jeff Thovson said their defensive pressure was a huge factor in their win.
“I think the kids took a lot of pride getting stops and brought some energy right away, so that helps,” said Thovson.
The Lancers continued their hot shooting to start the second half, as Canby went on an 11-0 run to go up 30, 44-14, with 14:50 remaining as CMCS went scoreless during the first four minutes of the half.
A 3-pointer by Alyssa Beckius extended Canby’s lead to 31 points at 49-18 with 12 minutes left. The Lancers then maintained at least a 27-point lead throughout the majority of the half, with their biggest lead coming at 39 points at 65-26.
Natalie Dinius led the way for the Lancers with 17 points while Sydney Sisk had 13 and King added 10.
Canby (22-4) advances to the Section 3A Finals and will face No. 2 Lac qui Parle Valley on Friday at 8 p.m. at SMSU.
Thovson said the game will be challenging and LQPV is a difficult team to defend.
“We’ll have to see what happens; they’re a really good team,” said Thovson. “It’ll be a battle but a fun game.”
CMCS 14 19–33
Canby 33 37–70
CANBY SCORING: Dinius 5-11 3-4 17; Sisk 4-8 3-4 13; King 5-10 0-0 10; Beckius 3-6 3-5 10; Viessman 2-7 5-5 9; Varcoe 3-5 0-0 6; Hansen 1-2 0-0 3; Kallhoff 0-0 2-2 2. TOTALS: 23-52 (44%) 17-20 (85%) 70.
CANBY STATS: 3-PT FG: 7-16 (Dinius 3; Sisk 2). REBOUNDS: 42 (King 13; Dinius 8). ASSISTS: 16 (Viessman 4). STEALS: 5 (Beckius 2). FOULS: 14. TURNOVERS: 7.