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Otters fall short in title game
Published 02:20 a.m., December 31, 2009
The Fergus Falls gymnasium was rocking with a large turnout of Holiday Classic basketball fans and, other than the final score for the Fergus Falls girls basketball team, it registered no disappointment.
The band was playing, the Men of Note kicked off the game with a rousing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, the Jamestown gymnastics group put on a nice half-time show and the fans were treated to two very good girls basketball teams going at each other with all they had.
In the end, Fargo North took home the championship trophy with a 65-57 win over the Otters.
Many fans commented on the high level of intensity and play from both teams and felt they got their money’s worth in basketball entertainment.
The Otters came out with the same intensity carried over from the previous night, utilizing a full court press and good offensive movement to keep the game even at the outset.
However, at about the 8-minute mark in the first half, the Otters and senior co-captain Kathryn Walvatne were dealt a severe blow when she re-injured her knee and was unable to play the rest of the game.
“Kathryn is a prime player for us with both her scoring and rebounding and so well liked by all the other girls that it took a little wind out of our sails when she went down”, said coach Josh Mohagen.
The Spartans then opened up a nine point lead, which they carried to halftime.
Tana Teschendorf tacked up nine first-half points to lead Fargo North, while Sydney Schultz put in two 3-pointers and a pair of 2-pointers to lead the Otters with 10 points in the break.
In the second half, the Spartans stretched their lead to 15 points mid-way through the half, but the Otters never quit, keeping up the pressure with their full court man-to-man press.
Mariah Monke canned 12 second half points while Schultz added nine and Anna Monke seven to help the Otters climb back into the game.
The rally fell short, however, as Fargo North had too many players to throw at the Otters, with seven Spartans scoring six or more points.
Angie Waller led the Spartans with 13 points, while Alyssa Dehne and Tana Teschendorf each added 11.
Mariah Monke and Schultz led the Otters with 19 points apiece. Both Mariah Monke and Schultz were named to the all-tournament team.
Two factors in the Otters’ loss was their 25 turnovers to 17 for Fargo North, an eight possession difference.
Also, North made 16 of 23 free throws while the Otters only shot 10 of 15.
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