So how are the Lakers situated now? Well, with a 6-2 overall record, 3-1 section, 1-1 conference, 1-2 away from home, 1-0 neutral and a sterling 4-0 for the home fans of Laker country. The team will start the new year with a contest versus West Central Area.
The Lakers could go on cruise control in their game against Minneota, as they sprinted out to a 48-23 lead in the first half. The venue at Southwest is called the "R/A Facility." Southwest State becomes a hub for high-level post-season action each year.
'Waska's offense was share-the-wealth. Ten players had points.
48-23 was the halftime score. Then the Lakers went to work to outscore Minneota 22-18 in the second half.
Three Lakers finished in double figures with Sydney Dahl leading the way with her 12 points. Olivia Danielson and Jayda Kolstoe each put in ten. Addyson Kath had a total of nine and Alia Randt and Lauryn Ankeny contributed eight each. Here's the rest of the list: Megan Thorfinnson 7, Berlynn Green 2, Norah VanZee 2 and Carly Jergenson 2.
Three Lakers each succeeded with a 3-pointer: Kath, Randt and Thorfinnson. Ankeny with her six rebounds led in that department. It was Danielson leading in assists with four. Ankeny is known as a steals whiz and she co-led here with her six. Danielson also had six steals.
Kath, Danielson and Dahl each blocked a shot.
Move over, U of Iowa Hawkeyes! Iowa may have mesmerized us all through last season. But right now our U of M Gophers are really excelling. I have maintained my interest in Iowa from last year. So I know all about their transfer standout Lucy Olsen. Plus some holdovers from the Caitlin Clark era like Sydney Affolter.
The Hawkeyes continue to be quite good. However, you can sure tell that things aren't quite the same without Clark, Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall. Gabbie had her own signature pizza! She isn't quite big enough to play in the WNBA, and I don't think it would matter how much pizza she eats!
But look at our U of M Gopher women now! I'm ready to shift some of my fan attention from Iowa to our Gophers. Most appropriate. I can't even tell you the name of our coach. I think that is a good sign. No controversy there. The Lindsay Whalen era did not work out. Looks like the U just rolled up its sleeves and hired a very good coach.
Well, our Gophers are coming off a Big 10 win by a score of 90-54! Hurrah! It's the biggest margin of victory in a conference win since 2016. I am going to start looking for livestream of Gophers games now. Last night (Sunday) I found livestream for the Iowa women's win over Purdue.
Iowa will always have an entrancing quality for me from the "CC" era. My, what last year's team did for women's basketball! Of course it was South Carolina that won the national title. But CC of Iowa was such a distinctive superstar all season long, and she also grew into a fabulous ambassador for women's sports. Oh my she still is! And I'll never forget Gabbie's pizza. Kate is working real hard to "stick" in the WNBA.
Good luck all.
 |
| Tori McKinney |
Tori McKinney stood out with 25 points, four assists and three steals. Amaya Battle put in 17 points, and Annika Steward came off the bench to supply 15. We were deadly from long range: nine 3-pointers in 22 attempts. Mallory Heyer connected three times from 3-point land.
Now, bring on the 2025 calendar year! Man, I can't wait for the Gophers to go head-to-head with Iowa!
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
No comments:
Post a Comment