by Scott DCamp
Sports Editor
Thief River Falls outscored East Grand Forks 23-16 over the final 18 minutes to claim a 49-47 win at the Lincoln High School Brickhouse. It was the first of two regular season between the two Section 8AA girls basketball teams.
“I thought we had a good defensive plan against EGF,” said Thief River Falls Head Coach Paula Praska. “The girls ran the press well and got back on defense and did a good job keeping them out of the paint.”
The Prowlers started fast in front of a loud home crowd, but the Green Wave gained control in the final 10 minutes of the half, and they took a 31-26 lead into the locker room.
The Prowlers tightened things up defensively in the second half and ultimately overtook the Green Wave to improve to 3-0.
“We just moved a few people around on the press that probably helped hold them down,” Praska said. “I think we also just rebounded well and didn’t give them second chances. We also made a couple of adjustments to the offensive that helped with time management.”
Thief River Falls was led by its seniors, with Avah Waldal scoring a game-high 25 points and Josie Peterson adding 13. Waldal scored 14 of her 25 points on field goals, with an 11-for-14 free throw shooting effort accounting for the final 11 points.
“Avah was a really nice presence to have in the middle,” Praska said. “She took the cuts away and hit the boards hard. She also was also tough on the offensive end. They didn’t seem to have an answer for her. Josie had a great game as well. She is long on the press, which causes problems for the opponent. She did a really good job reading where the ball was going on the press, which turned into steals for us. I thought all the girls contributed/played their role well.”
The Green Wave were led by Tatem Votava, who scored 19 points, including nine from beyond the three-point line. Also in double figures for the Green Wave was Ellie Marcot with 11 points.
Berg vs. Bergh battle ends in a draw
Both Thief River Falls and East Grand Forks have a Taylor in their respective starting lineups and their last names are pronounced the same way – sophomore Taylor Berg for Thief River Falls and senior Taylor Bergh for East Grand Forks. The first Berg vs. Bergh battle of the 2024-25 season ended in a draw with both players scoring two points.
Thief River Falls improved to 3-0 with the win, while East Grand Forks fell to 2-2.
The Prowlers were back in action Tuesday night against Fosston.
Scoring
1 2 T
East Grand Forks 31 16 47
Thief River Falls 26 23 49
East Grand Forks – Kelsey Spilde 3, Mac Fizpatrick 3, Skyla Rustad 5, Taylor Bergh 2, Karlee Walsh 2, Ellie Marcott 11, Tatem Votava 19, Lanee Hams.
TRF – Braylee Wienen 2, Aniyah Fields 2, Piper Greene 2, Avah Waldal 25, Taylor Berg 2, Josie Peterson 13, Jerry Lunsetter 3.
Section 8AA
Overall QRF
W L
Thief River Falls 3 0 50.6
Barnesville 3 2 45.4
Pelican Rapids 3 1 44
Menahga 3 0 42.4
Wadena-Deer Creek 3 0 42.3
DGF 2 2 34.3
Frazee 3 2 30.2
East Grand Forks 2 2 28.9
Perham 1 2 22.6
Park Rapids Area 1 2 21.8
Crookston 1 2 19.1
Roseau 1 2 15.9
Hawley 1 3 15.7
Warroad 0 4 2.8