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Underdog Sleepy Eye does it again, upsets No. 2 Mountain Iron-Buhl

By RON HAGGSTROM, Star Tribune, 03/16/18, 4:00PM CDT

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After defeating Class 1A's sixth-ranked team on Thursday, the Indians defeated the Rangers 63-48 to advance to the title game.


Sleepy Eye’s Madi Heiderscheidt pulled down a rebound in the first half against Mountain Iron-Buhl in the Class 1A semifinals Friday at Target Center. Photo: BRIAN PETERSON • brian.peterson@startribune.com

Sleepy Eye thrives in the underdog role.

For the second consecutive day the Indians turned to their senior leadership to upset a top-10 team, knocking off No. 2-ranked Mountain Iron-Buhl 63-48 in the Class 1A semifinals Friday at Target Center.

In the quarterfinals Wednesday, they defeated No. 6-rated Ada-Borup/Norman County West 53-51. On Saturday they will now play for their first state championship.

“I don’t think we’ve gotten the recognition we’ve deserved the entire season,” Sleepy Eye coach Ryan Hulke said. “I’m so proud of them.”


Photo gallery: Class 1A semifinals

Three of Hulke’s eight seniors -- guards Madi Heiderscheidt, Brianna Polesky and Sarah Ibarra – combined for 55 points. The trio went 15-for-28 from the floor, including eight three-pointers, and 17-for-22 from the free-throw line.

“They are a senior-laden team, and you could tell,” Mountain Iron-Buhl coach Jeff Buffetta said.

The two teams were tied at 33-all early in the second half when Sleepy Eye went on a 12-2 run to take control, 45-35. Ibarra, who had 13 points, hit two threes and Polesky another in the run.

“I didn’t think they would continue to shoot the three at a high percentage,” Buffetta said. The Indians went 9-for-18 beyond the arc, 5-for-11 in the first half.

Even a five-point play while holding a five-point lead near the end of the first half didn’t bother the Indians (28-4). Rangers junior guard Allie Negen hit a three-pointer while junior center Mattison Bennett was fouled under the basket on the play. She made both free throws.

Heiderscheidt, who had a game-high 24 points, calmly sank a three-pointer, the Indians’ fifth of the half, five seconds before the intermission for a 26-23 lead. Polesky had three of them, and 11 of her 18 points at halftime.

“I feel like everything is coming together for us,” Heiderscheidt said. “We deserve this more than anybody in the world.”

Senior forward Mary Burke’s 15 points paced four Rangers (29-3) in double figures. 

“Give Sleepy Eye credit,” Buffetta said. “I was very impressed with them.”

First report

Sleepy Eye thrives in the underdog role.

For the second consecutive day the Indians upset a top 10 team, knocking off No. 2-ranked Mountain Iron-Buhl 63-48 in the Class 1A semifinals Friday at Target Center. They defeated No. 6-rated Ada-Borup/Norman County West 53-51 in the quarterfinals.

Three seniors -- Madi Heiderscheidt, Brianna Polesky and Sarah Ibarra – combined for 55 points. The trio went 15-for-28 from the floor, including eight three-pointers, and 17-for-22 from the free-throw line.

The two teams were tied at 33-all early in the second half when Sleepy Eye went on a 12-2 run to take control. Ibarra, who had 13 points, hit two threes and Polesky another in the run.

Even a five-point play while holding a five-point lead near the end of the first half didn’t bother the Indians (28-4). Rangers junior guard Allie Negen hit a three-pointer while junior center Mattison Bennett was fouled under the basket on the play, and sank both free throws.

Heiderscheidt, who had a game-high 24 points, calmly sank a three-pointer, her team's fifth of the half, before halftime for a 26-23 lead. Polesky had three of them, and 11 of her 18 points at the intermission.

Senior forward Mary Burke’s 15 points paced four Rangers (29-3) in double figures. 

Check back later for more on the game. 

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Tag(s): Mountain Iron-Buhl  Sleepy Eye  Class A 

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