MINDEN- It was a night for revenge as the Gothenburg girls basketball team won 42-33 over Minden after losing in the championship 54-51 a week ago, and the Minden boys ran away winning it 63-47 over Gothenburg, after Gothenburg had beaten them around a week ago 60-38.
The girls game started out fast for the Swedes once again, jumping out to a 12-5, and 23-12 halftime lead. Minden committed 10 turnovers in the first half, giving Gothenburg plenty of easy buckets. Gothenburg also knocked down 6 first half three pointers to jump ahead. Minden would close the gap, outscoring Gothenburg 10-5 in the third, making it a 28-22 lead. They cut the lead down to 4 at 34-30 early in the fourth, but then an 8-3 run by Gothenburg would be enough for the Swedes to hold on and win 42-33. Gothenburg improved to 16-3 while Minden fell to 17-4.
Senior Kynlee Strauser led the way for Gothenburg with 13 points, with junior Ashlyn Richeson and senior Ellarey Harm adding 10 points. Gothenburg only turned the ball over 10 times, made 7 three pointers, and went 9-15 from the free throw line. Sophomore Kinsie Land led the way for Minden with 9 points. The Whippets committed 15 turnovers, made 4 three pointers, and went 5-13 from the free throw line.
Listen to the game here.
The boys game was more one sided. Minden jumped ahead early, up 17-6 at the end of the first. 10 first half points from senior Wes Geiken would help keep Gothenburg in it, helping the Swedes score 18 points in the second to keep it close. However, a 17-8 third quarter would help the Whippets to pull away and keep the game out of reach. By late in the fourth, both teams had their reserves in to close out the game. It was a very messy game, with a total of 48 free throw shots attempted. Minden helped themselves out by shooting 69% from the stripe in the game, helping them to the big 63-47 win. Minden improved to 9-10 while Gothenburg fell to 11-8.
Minden was led by senior Isaac Kuehn who finished with 14 points. The Whippets only turned the ball over 8 times, made 5 three pointers, and went 18-26 from the free throw line. Gothenburg was led by Geiken who finished with 10 points. The Swedes turned the ball over 13 times, made only one three pointer, and went 13-22 from the free throw line.
Listen to the game here.
Up next for Minden, they will be at Wood River on February 9th. For Gothenburg, the girls will host Ogallala on February 7th, while the boys are in action again February 10th at home vs Ainsworth.
