Goodhue Girls Advance to Section Title Game

The Goodhue Wildcats' defense was very good Saturday in a 52-43 win over the Lyle/Pacelli Athletics for the West Subsection title of Section 1A.

Some sloppy passing led to some fast break points in the first half for the Athletics and they took a 22-20 lead into the half.

I remember saying on our KDHL broadcast of the game that the Wildcats needed to get senior forward Maddy Miller on track. She delivered big time in the second half, right on cue.

Miller connected on three three-point shots, including monster back-to-back threes and finished with 17 points to lead all scorers in the game. Fifteen of her points came in the second half.

Six-foot junior Sydney Lodermeier added 10 points and did an amazing job defending 6-foot-5 junior Kristi Fett in the post. Fett finished with 11 points, but did not shoot a single free throw in the second half.

Lodermeier used her quickness over Fett on numerous occasions to either knock the ball away as it was being passed into the post or block or make her alter the shot.

Before the game, Wildcats head coach Josh Wieme told KDHL turnovers would be a Tom Heffernan Ford Key to the game.

Turnovers hurt Goodhue in the first half, and they ratcheted up their defense in the second half and scored 12 points off Lyle/Pacelli turnovers to turn the game around.

Five-foot-6 senior Megan Ryan hit three three-point baskets for nine points, and 5-foot-5 senior McKenzie Ryan had all seven of her points in the second half.

Lyle/Pacelli was led by 5-foot-5 sophomore Abigail Bollingberg with 15 points.

Goodhue was 7 of 10 from the free throw line and the Athletics were 10 of 16.

Ironically, with about two minutes to go, Goodhue had a 10-point lead.

I say ironically because that was the situation last year, only Lyle/Pacelli was in front and Goodhue overcame that deficit and won in regulation. Then the Wildcats breezed to a state championship.

Goodue is hoping history repeats itself. The Wildcats play at 8PM Friday in the Mayo Civic Arena against Fillmore Central.

The Falcons were the No. 5 seed in the East Subsection of Section 1A.