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'Going to the 'ship''

By Star Tribune, 03/16/12, 8:00PM CDT

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Kali Peschel led the Mainstreeters over previously undefeated New Richland.

Parked two steps behind the NBA-range three-point line at Target Center, Sauk Centre’s Kali Peschel gave serious thought to jacking up a shot midway through the first half. She shimmied her shoulders, juked the ball to her left and gave the defender a headfake, but never shot the ball.

She had a similar look on her first attempt of the second half. This time she figured why not give it a try.

Nothing but net.

“If I’m open, I’m going to shoot it,” she said.

Shoot she did Friday night in the Class 2A semifinals, and contribute a strong defensive effort along the way. Peschel, who missed most of this season while recovering from a torn ACL, finished with 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to help lead the Mainstreeters to their first appearance in a state championship game after a 56-39 victory over previously undefeated New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva.

Sauk Centre (27-4) led by as much as 12 late in the first half before allowing the Panthers (31-1) an 8-0 run to close out the first 18 minutes.

The momentum didn’t last.

Strong all game on defense – particularly Peschel and Jena Klaphake - the Mainstreeters shut out NRHEG for the first seven minutes of the second half while building an 18-point lead. Peschel’s long-range three came during that stretch.

“I don’t really look at where I am – sometimes maybe I shouldn’t shoot it [from that far] – but I know I can hit from that range,” the 6-1 Iowa-bound guard said. “I practice it. I feel comfortable with it.”

A big lead sure helps, and the Mainstreeters got theirs thanks to shut-down defense. It focused on Panthers’ sophomore Carlie Wagner, who scored 43 points against defending state champion Braham in the quarterfinals. She finished with a game-high 21 on Friday but made just three field goals in the second half.

The Panthers shot 23 percent for the game, making only one field goal in the final 7:15.

“They just weren’t falling,” NRHEG coach John Schultz said. “Off the mark. They didn’t let it affect their effort, but you could see some shoulders dropping here and there. It was frustrating.”

Three locker rooms down it was a much different story, as coach Scott Bergman’s voice echoed through the hallway.

“We’re going to the ‘ship!'"

Macy Weller also finished with 18 points for the Mainstreeters. Ashley Gruber added 10.

-- Brian Stensaas, Star Tribune 

Three Stars

Kali Peschel, Sauk Centre- Kali was a standout player on the court Friday night at the Target Center.  Leading Sauk Centre to victory with 18 points and a place in Saturday's Class AA Championship game. She was a presence at both ends of the court grabbing a game high, 12 total rebounds.  Sauk Centre will look for similar contribution in Saturday's Championship game.
 
Macy Weller, Sauk Centre- Macy also contributed 18 points and was five for seven at the free-throw line.  Her performance was dominant in the second half where she picked up 12 of her 18 points. Weller showed strong endurance playing 38 minutes for Sauk Centre.  
 
Carlie Wagner, New Richland-H-E-G- Carlie battled hard and had a game high,  21 points and also played 34 minutes.  She contributed two steals and was three for four from the free-throw line in a hard played game. 
 
-- Ryan Brodd, MN Girls Basketball Hub Staff

 

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