Strong outside shooting in the first half paced Sauk Centre Wednesday and helped it reach the Class 2A semifinals for a second straight season.

The Mainstreeters made six three-pointers in the first 18 minutes to build a nine-point halftime lead it never relinquished.

Krista Primus (11 points) connected three times while Kali Peschel made a pair en route to a team high 14 points. Macy Weller (13) and Ashley Gruber (12) also finished with double digits.

The deep-range attack spoiled a solid outing by the Trojans' Mackenzie Gerber, who finished with a game-high 18 points.

Iowa recruit and senior Kali Peschel made her mark all over the court for Sauk Centre on Wednesday, March 14, in the Mainstreeters’ 65-51 Class 2A quarterfinals win over Worthington at the Target Center in Minneapolis. 

Peschel lead the team in points with 14 and assists with 6, while also collecting 6 boards. 

Although the stats look nice, where Peschel really had an impact was in her ball handling skills. 

A very tall and lanky guard, Peschel was given the task of beating a tough press and constant double teams in the backcourt thrown at her by the Worthington defense. 

She doesn’t fit the prototypical point guard build, but Peschel flashed her flair for bringing the ball up the court with crossovers, behind the back dribbles, and nice passes.

Sauk Center coach Scott Bergman saw Peschel’s height as much more of a positive than a detriment as a ball handler.

“It’s a huge advantage,” Bergman said after the game. “It’s kind of like quarterback who’s tall and you can see the field better it’s just like her, she can see the court better. There were times where she kicked it ahead and we got some easy baskets.”

Peschel also hurt the Trojans with her ability to space the floor with her shooting as well as beating up the interior defense with post moves inside.

“She’s so versatile,” Bergman said. “It’s a matchup nightmare really. Who’re you gonna put on her? We got plays for having for post up or for getting her away from the basket as well.” 

Kali Peschel, Sauk Centre
It is not often the tallest player on a team also runs the point and is the best ball handler on the court. Peschel handled the Trojan full court pressure with ease and kept her team calm even when the Streeter lead was whittled down to 8 in the second half. She finished the game with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.