by Scott DCamp
Sports Editor
Thief River Falls overcame a 24-20 halftime deficit to defeat Crookston 46-42 in a Section 8AA girls basketball quarterfinal game Saturday night at the Lincoln High School Brickhouse.
Saturday’s meeting between the Prowlers and Pirates was the third this year. The Prowlers swept the regular season meetings, winning 54-50 at Crookston Dec. 2 and 48-36 on Jan. 16. The seventh-seeded Pirates were formidable opponents, with a 17-10 record heading into Saturday night’s game.
The Prowlers trailed 24-20 at the break but opened the second half on a 14-2 run that gave them a 34-26 advantage with just under eight minutes left to play.
The Pirates would rally late, getting within two of the Prowlers at 42-40 with 35 seconds remaining, but the Prowlers never relinquished the lead.
Sophomore Avah Waldal led all scorers with 15 points and she added eight rebounds. Also reaching double figures for the Prowlers were sophomore Josie Peterson with 12 points, and senior Kendal Rantanen with 10 points.
The Prowlers advanced to Saturday’s quarterfinal round with a dominant 83-39 win over Red Lake. The Prowlers got off to a blazing start and led 48-18 at the break.
Waldal led all scorers with 20 points. She added eight rebounds, three steals and two assists.
Also finishing in double figures for the Prowlers were Peterson with 16 points, senior Maren Espe with 12 points and junior Breanna Myers with 11 points.
Scoring
1 2 T
Red Lake 18 21 39
Thief River Falls 48 35 83
Red Lake – Hilary J 19, Derecca N 2, Liliah P 12, Adranna 2, Rihanna 2, Starr R 2.
TRF – Ali Yuska 2, Kendra Mehrkens 4, Maren Espe 12, Kendal Rantanen 7, Vanessa Thibert 1, Avah Waldal 20, Avery Koop 2, Josie Peterson 16,Jerlyn Lunsetter 8, Breanna Myers 11.
Scoring
1 2 T
Crookston 24 18 42
Thief River Falls 20 26 46
Crookston – Abby Borowicz 13, Isabelle Smith 7, Halle Winjum 13, Libby Salentine 5, Chloe Boll 2, Joey Nesseth 2.
TRF – Maren Espe 7, Kendal Rantanen 10, Avah Waldal 15, Josie Peterson 12, Breanna Myers 2 .
Section 8AA playoffs
• First round, Thursday, March 2 – Perham 64, Warroad 26; Fergus falls 79, Roseau 44; Park Rapids Area 71, Barnesville 54; Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton 50, East Grand Forks 34; Thief River Falls 83, Red Lake 39; Crookston 52, Menahga 38; Pelican Rapids 62, Frazee 54; Wadena-Deer Creek 57, Hawley 43.
• Quarterfinals, Saturday, March 4 at high seeds – Perham 77, Fergus Falls 52; Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton 64, Park Rapids Area 40; Thief River Falls 46, Crookston 42; Wadena-Deer Creek 48, Pelican Rapids 47.
• Semifinals – Tuesday, March 7 at Detroit Lakes HS – Perham vs. Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton 6 p.m.; Thief River Falls vs. Wadena-Deer Creek 7:30 p.m.
• Championship – Friday, March 10 at Detroit Lakes 7 p.m.