Ninth-ranked Ada-Borup is going to run, and run some more with coach Dave Smart at the helm. The Vikings of No. 7-ranked Minneota (29-2) matched the Cougars stride-for-stride until Laura Kolness stepped out beyond the arc.
Kolness made three three-pointers in the second half, including two in a just over a minute span that stretched a one-point lead to seven with 13 minutes remaining. The Cougars (27-2) maintained a 4- to 12-point lead the rest of the way.
“Megan has that capability,” Smart said. “She really stepped up for us, and she had to.”
Kolness scored 16 of her game-high 25 points in the second half. She didn’t miss a shot on the day, going 7-for-7 (four from three-point range) from both the floor and free-throw line. Teammate leading-scorer Taylor Kujava was plagued by foul trouble, and finished with 16 points.
Minneota freshman forward Taylor Reiss scored a game-high 27 points on 12-for-18 shooting. She also had 17 rebounds before fouling out.
“She was awfully tough,” Smart said. “She got from block to block so quick, and I don’t think our kids realized they had to go that fast.”
There were seven ties and 12 lead changes in the opening half, which ended in a 33-33 deadlock.
RON HAGGSTROM
Megan Kolness, Ada-Borup
Kolness played an outstanding game for Ada-Borup. She had a perfect line; 7-7 FG, 7-7 FT and 4-4 3PG. She tallied 25 points and 3 rebounds for the Cougars.
Taylor Kujava, Ada-Borup
Kujava got Ada-Borup off to a great start, scoring 14 points in the first half. She wound up with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. She got into the lane at will and finished well around the basket.
Taylor Reiss, Minneota
Reiss was an absolute monster for Minneota. She scored 27 points and had 17 rebounds, 12 of which came at the offensive end. She shot 12-18 from the field.
-Alec Kinsky, MN Girls Basketball Hub Staff