Boys claim Candy Cane Tourney title
An exciting, nip-and-tuck game game to the end came out in Minneota's favor when they defeated Westbrook-Walnut Grove, 88-84 to win the annual Holiday Candy Cane Tournament at Okabena.
With the game tied at 84 late in the contest, the Vikings scored the final four points to win the championship.
A day earlier, they disposed of Heron Lake-Okabena, 91-54 to make their way to the championship game.
Westbrook-W-G, team that has been ranked in the state Class A polls, trailed 50-43 at the half.
But they tightened it up in the second half behind the three-point shooting of Tyson Elzenga, who hit six of 11 from three-point range and scored 23 points. As a team, WWG hit 12 of 31 three-pointers for 39 percent.
Westbrook-WB also had Anthony Ross pouring in the poi nts. He hit eight of eight free throws and ended with a game-high 30 points.
Minneota countered with 11 of 27 from three-point range for 41 percent as the two teams battled it out from long range.
The Vikings' Thomas Hennen battled Elzengza by shooting six of 10 for 60 percent from three-point range and Hennen put in 26 points to lead both teams.
Meanwhile the batle was being fought under the basket, with Westbrook's Parker Freeburg, at 6-8, a handful for the Vikings. But Minneota collected 32 rebounds with Logan Sussner leading the way with nine, Isaac Hennen with seven and Jacob Hennen with six.
The Vikings held their turnovers down to 13 and they sank 21 of 33 free throws for 63 percent. Sussner, who scored 16 points, hit six of 10 from the charity stripe while Nolan Boerboom's 15 points were aided by eight of 12 free throws.
Westbrook-Walnut Grove hit 16 of 20 free throws for 80 percent but didn't get to the charity stripe as often as Minneota.
Thomas Hennen's three steals led the Vikings full-court pressure attack while Boerboom and Isaac Hennen each fed teammates for five assits.
IN THE Friday game, Minneota took a 40-23 lead and were never headed as they beat Heron Lake-Okabena.
The Vikings had five scorers in double figures with Thomas Hennen scoring 20; Boerboom 18; Jacob Hennen 15; Logan Sussner 16 and Isaac Hennen 10.
Malaki Walker led HL-O with 11 points with Lee Gunther scoring 10.
The Vikings had 59 rebounds with Sussner garnering 13 of them with Tristan Sorensen and Isaac Hennen with nine each and Jacob Hennen with eight.
Minneota stole the ball 16 times with Thomas Hennen leading that charge with seven with Jared Josephson getting three.
Minneota is now 7-0 on the year and they play at 5:45 p.m. Friday at SMSU against Montevideo.