Hayfield Wins HVL Blue, Quam Goes Over 2,000 Points

The Hayfield Vikings shot lights out from three-point range in a 66-58 win over the Kenyon-Wanamingo Knights in the Castle on Tuesday night.

The Vikings had six three-point baskets in the first half and five in the second half and were 9 of 10 from the free throw line.

With the win, Hayfield picked up their 20th victory of the season and the Hiawatha Valley League Blue Division title, meaning they will travel to Kasson on Monday night for the overall HVL championship.

Five-foot-11 junior Maggie Streightiff had 25 points and six three-pointers for Hayfield and 5-foot-9 junior Olivia Matti added 22 points with five threes. Five-foot-9 junior Carrie Rutledge scored all 10 of her points in the second half.

Hayfield had a four-point lead at the half and extended it to as many as 18 points in the second half before Kenyon-Wanamingo trimmed the lead to single digits with about 2:30 to go.

Five-foot-7 senior Mara Quam scored 32 for the Knights, needing 27 to get to 2,000 points in her career.

Teammate 5'8 senior Savannah Bleess came into the game needing 18 points to get to 1,000 in her career, and it looked like she might also reach that milestone when she had seven first-half points. But it appeared Hayfield chose to limit her offense by playing a box and one on Bleess in the second half when she was in the game.

They tried the same strategy at times on Quam in the first half. The strategy seemed to work because Bleess did not score in the second half and goes into the regular season final game against Triton on nFriday needing 11 points to get to 1,000 in her career.

Kenyon-Wanamingo did not stop the game when Quam reached her milestone, instead waiting until after a time out when the teams went back on the floor before public address announcer Kirby VanDewalker told the crowd about her total.

Everyone gave Quam a standing ovation, but she was very business-like and appeared to just want to resume the game.

Quam had pictures taken with her grandparents and great-grandma after the game with a sign they made referencing the 2,000 point accomplishment.

After the game, Bleess signed a letter of intent to attend St. Mary's University and play basketball next season.

Our Held Bus Service Knights of the night were Quam and  5-foot-10 junior Tess Hokanson. Hokanson had 14 points in the game.

Kenyon-Wanamingo was 7 of 7 from the free throw line.

Quam typically gets to the line a lot, but Hayfield did a good job of not fouling her when she attacked the basket. Of her 32 points, just four came from the free throw line.

I gave Quam and Bleess boxes of Girl Scout cookies (Thin Mints) for taking a bite out of the record books. I know Bleess hasn't reached 1,000 points yet, but should before the end of the season.

Last Friday, Quam became Kenyon-Wanamingo's all-time leading scorer, surpassing Kasey Quam's (no relation) 1,951 points.

I'll have the boys K-W game Friday night on KDHL from Dodge Center against Triton while the Knight girls host Triton.