RTR, Cherry Advance to MSHSL Boys Basketball Class 1A State Semis

The Russell-Tyler-Ruthton Knights (29-1) rolled to a 80-62 win over the Nevis Tigers (24-7) in Quarterfinal round Class A Boys Basketball Tournament action today at Williams Arena.

Cherry turned a close game into a 68-55 victory over Border West in the other game broadcast on KDHL.

The #6 rated (Minnesota Basketball News) Knights received the top seed in this year's tournament when top ranked Goodhue and #2 rated Cass Lake-Bena did not make the trip.

R-T-R left little doubt by leading 39-18 at the half.  They shot 50 percent fronm the field and were 4 of 10 from 3 point range while Nevis shot 22 percent and was 1 of 5 from long range.

The Knights owned the glass 44-29 and had 17 assists on their 31 field goals.

Russell-Tyler-Ruthton never got the game into running time but did have a 29 point lead with 8:55 to go.  Aiden Wichmann, senior, 6'2, had 24 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists in about 29 minutes.  Drew Werkman, junior, 6'3, added 19 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists.

Nevis was paced by Alex Lester, sophomore, with 20 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists.  Spencer Lindow , senior, added 12 points.

Lindow is the nephew of Cannon Falls baseball Head Coach Bucky Lindow who was in attendance at the game with former KDHL Farm Director Rod Johnson of Cannon Falls.

The Knights had double the points of the Tigers in the paint 44-22.

Nevis never led in the game but did get to the free throw line a lot.  They were 16 of 28 (57.1%) while R-T-R was 11 of 18 (61.1%).

The Knights will play the #4 seed Cherry Tigers (27-4) who defeated Border West Buccaneers (26-3) 68-55 in a Noon Semifinals game on Friday, March 24, 2023 at Target Center.

Border West is comprised of Wheaton, Herman-Nocross/Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley.

Cherry was ranked #5 in final Minnesota Basketball News Class A rankings while Border West received a #14 rating.

The Tigers Isaac Asuma, junior, 6'3, got in foul trouble early which limited his time on the floor but he still impacted the game with a near triple double.  11 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists in 21:04 of action.

Noah Sundquist, sophomore, 6'2,  played every second and scored 30 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists.

Cherry was a plus 10 on the glass.  They led the Buccaneers 34-28 at the half.  17 fouls were called on Cherry, 9 on Border West.

The Buccaneers were paced by Clint Determan. senior, 6'1, with 19 points, 6 rebounds.  Dylan Bainbridge, senior, 5'9, added 12 points, 3 assists.

Nevis and Border West play 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Concordia in St. Paul for Conslation Quarterfinals.