CLIMAX-FISHER GIRLS BASKETBALL FALLS TO KCC IN SECTION TOURNEY

The #5 seed Climax-Fisher Knights had too many turnovers in a 74-45 loss to the #1 seed Kittson County Central in a Section 8A quarterfinal game played at the Ralph Engelstad Arena in Thief River Falls.

FIRST HALF
Kittson County Central (KCC) scored the first five points of the game as Morgan Turn and Lily Peterson made the first two shots of the game. Climax-Fisher’s Peyton Hoffman scored the first Knight points of the game with a basket in the paint before KCC responded with baskets from McKinley Folland and Turn for a 9-2 lead three minutes into the game. The teams exchanged baskets and Climax-Fisher trailed 17-13 with 10:29 left in the half. It was this point in the game KCC started forcing Climax-Fisher into turnovers which led to easy Bearcat points. KCC went on a 13-1 run while taking advantage of several Knight turnovers. Turn scored nine of the 13 points for a 30-14 lead.
KCC later led 32-17 when they went on a 9-0 run with four points from Greta Kuznia, three points from Aliyah Vig, and two points from Hannah Warnke for a 41-17 lead with three minutes left in the half. Climax-Fisher’s Hoffman stopped the run with a basket, and the teams exchanged baskets the rest of the half as Kittson County Central took a 52-25 lead into halftime.

SECOND HALF
KCC started the second half strong with a 12-3 run behind five points from Kaydence White for a 64-28 lead. Climax-Fisher’s Hoffman stopped the run again with three points to get within a 64-31 deficit. Climax-Fisher turnovers continued to hurt them as KCC went on a 7-0 run with three different players scoring for a 71-31 lead. 30 seconds later, running time started and over the final nine minutes of the game, both teams played everybody on the bench and KCC coasted to a 71-45 victory. 

Climax-Fisher’s outstanding season ended with a 15-13 record and the first playoff win in over a decade. The Knights say goodbye to four seniors – Cambree Solheim, Ava Larson, Halle Reitmeier, and Ella Paulsrud.  KCC improves to 23-4 on the year and will advance to the semi-finals on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. You can hear the game on KROX Radio or watch the game on KROX TV.

CLICK HERE for Climax-Fisher coach Guy Finstrom’s comments.