The Ogilvie girls basketball team traveled to Pine City on Friday for the Great River Conference Championship.
Both teams came into this one with a ton of steam and wanting nothing more to take home the conference crown. As the game began Pine City used the home court advantage and took an early lead. But Ogilvie was not going to be outdone. They trailed but not for long. The Lions showed very early on they were not going to miss very many shots. They hit from short, mid and long range and I mean NBA long range. But Pine City managed to hold onto the lead until late in the 1st half, that when momentum traded hands. Ogilvie was able to take over the lead and force a good amount of turnovers. They converted most of those turnovers into points. Pine City was playing catchup and began to force things alittle bit and saw some mental mistakes as a result. The Lions continued to expand their lead to nearly double digits as the 1st half came to a close, 42-33. A much different look than these two teams first meeting, when Pine City took a 10 point lead twice in the 1st half.
The Dragons seemed to iron out some of the wrinkles at the half time break, their offense moved a lot smoother and the defense clamped down and force the Lions to miss some shots. Pine City battled back and took over the lead for the first time since the middle of the 1st half. Even though the Lions were now trailing it didn't seem to affect them, they played their style of ball and came back. The two teams continued to trade the lead until late in the game. The Lions took the lead with under 3 minutes to go. Still plenty of time but it seemed like they were about to put the game away. The Lions did just that, they simply could not miss! No matter where they shot from on the floor it was going through the net. The Dragons gave everything and more but wound up coming up short 89-82.
It was a stellar game by both teams, in which both with learn alot from. But something crazy also happened in that game. Two senior players scored over 60 points! Karly Jusczak scored a school record 63 points, which is also tied for second most in the history of girls basketball in the state of Minnesota and Grace Heins of Ogilvie scored 62 which places her 4th all time in Minnesota. They both showcased their talents and left the court showing the utmost respect for each other's game!
With the loss Pine City falls to 16-6 on the season and for the first time in awhile won't have the conference crown. They focus now to hosting their final regular season home game today(02/12) against Foley.
With the win Ogilvie is now 19-3 and are Great River Conference Champions for the first time since 2001! They'll be up in Northland on Monday.
Scoring:
Ogilvie
Grace Heins 62
Kadence Pierce 18
Amelia Arnold and Aleah Robyn 3
Bethany Besser 2
Pine City
Karly Jusczak 63
Summer Thieman 9
Brooke Boland 5
Vivian Lahti 3
Mallory Clepper 2
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