The girls team of Minneapolis took down the Beloit Lady Trojans earlier in the year. It was an overtime thriller, with Karisma Vignery putting up 24 points, and Senior Kylie Fuller knocking down a shot with 1.5 seconds on the clock to win by 2.

Tonight was another good game, but Beloit led all the way. The Lady Lions held a lead for a short time, after Karisma Vignery knocked down a 3 to take the lead 3-2. The end of the first quarter score was 12-5.

Minneapolis played better in the second half but were still outscored by the Trojans. Vignery put down another 3, along with two mid range shots from Kersti Nelson. Second quarter score 25-16.

Coming out of halftime, the Lions played good offensively, but could not contain the Trojans on the other end. Junior Shae Larson put up 22 points in the first 3 quarters. It seemed minneapolis just could not handle the height she brought to the court. Still, Vignery continued to play well, scoring another 8 points in the 3rd quarter. 3rd quarter score 40-30.

In the 4th, the lions came out with a vengeance, refusing to let the game die. They played great defense coming down the stretch, but still trailed by 6 with 30 seconds left. After a carrying violation by the Trojans, Karisma Vignery knocked down her biggest 3 points of the night, cutting the lead down to 3. Eventually, the Lions were able to get within 3, but 2 clutch free throws by Trinity Wagner shut the Lions out of the game. Final score 51-47, Minneapolis falling to Beloit at home.

Scoring Leader: Karisma Vignery with 23

The night cap featured the boys teams of Minneapolis and Beloit, and Minneapolis came out with hopes to redeem themselves after their performance in the Beloit hoe gymnasium. They fell 73-44 earlier this year, in a game that head coach John Darrow said was “a perfect storm.”

This year Minneapolis played better, but still not good enough to take down the powerhouse, 2nd ranked Beloit Trojans.

In the first quarter, Trent Moeckle knocked down 2 triples, but still was not the highest scoring guard. Hudson Smith connected for 8 points in the first quarter, en route to a 20-12 lead.

Second quarter was a tie between the two teams, 20-20. Moeckle buried two more 3 pointers, as well as a mid range jumper to end the first half with 14 points. Tate Thompson, 6’7″ guard for Minneapolis finished off the first half with 12, after dominating the post. The first half score, 40-32.

Second half, Minneapolis played great basketball. In the third quarter, Minneapolis made a charge, sparked by a 3 point play by Kaden McCullick. They even managed to cut down the lead to 3, 44-41 late in the 3rd.

Beloit started to pull away in the final stanza, but in true Darrow fashion, the players played until there were 12 seconds left on the clock. The Trojans best the Lions, 66-53.

Scoring leaders for Minneapolis: Kaden McCullick with 18, and Trent Moeckle with 14.

Both teams will be back in action this Tuesday at Russel to take on the Broncos.

https://soundcloud.com/minneapolis-lions/minneapolis-girls-2-15-19

https://soundcloud.com/minneapolis-lions/minneapolis-boys-2-15-19