THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018
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THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018
ROAD TO STATE
A special supplement to the AUSTIN DAILY HERALD
Stops along the way Lyle-Pacelli’s 2017-18 run had several memorable games — these are just a few By Rocky Hulne
sports@austindailyherald.com
W
hile it has a current conference win streak of over 90 games, the Lyle-Pacelli girls basketball team beefed up its non-conference schedule this season to prepare for a possible run to state. That schedule paid off as the Athletics were able to improve with each week on their way to their first state tournament berth since 2015.
LP 55, Hayfield 39, July 16
Although summer games can often be disorganized and teams don’t always have their full roster, this Athletics team really began its journey to the Minnesota Class A State Girls Basketball Tournament when it won the Breakdown Tournament in mid-July. LP picked up wins over Hayfield, and state qualifiers Sleepy Eye and Ada-Borup in that tournament, which gave it plenty of confidence headed into this season.
LP 56, Zumbrota-Mazeppa 41, Nov. 25
The Athletics started their season out with a bang when they won the Dover-Eyota Early Bird Tournament, picking up a big win over Zumbrota-Mazeppa, which advanced to the Section 1AA semifinals this season. LP was led by Kristi Fett in that win as she scored 16 points.
LP 64, Cromwell-Wright 53, Dec. 9
The Athletics showed they could handle a little adversity after they saw a 20-point lead shrink to 58-51 with five minutes left in the game in the win. Fett had 30 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks in the win for LP and Brooke Walter added 15 points, eight assists and seven steals.
Cresco, Iowa 65, LP 55, Dec. 16
The Athletics faced their toughest competition of the season and possibly in head coach Justin Morris’s six years with LP, when they lost to the eventual Iowa Class AAA state champ. LP had an 18-14 lead early on, but it couldn’t keep pace. Abby Bollingberg, Fett and Walter all scored 14 points for LP.
LP 50, Goodhue 44, Feb. 10
If there is a team that has been a roadblock for LP over the past few years, it would be Goodhue, which ended LP’s season on its way to back-to-back state titles in 2016 and 2017. This time, the Athletics showed they were up for the fight as they closed the game on a 9-2 run after Goodhue had taken a brief 42-41 lead with 5:40 left in the contest. Olivia Christianson had 17 points, nine rebounds and three steals.
Kendal Truckenmiller readies to pull the trigger on a three against Goodhue during a big Feburary showdown in Lyle. Herald file photo
A special supplement to the AUSTIN DAILY HERALD
ROAD TO STATE
A family affair
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018
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Nelsen family finding a connection on the court as grandfather helps coach granddaughter By Rocky Hulne,
sports@austindailyherald.com
O
ne way or another, Lyle-Pacelli sophomore Rachel Nelsen was probably going to end up being around and hearing about basketball for much of her high school years. Her grandfather Terry was a long-time Pacelli head coach who led the Shamrocks to three state tournaments and her father Jake was a member of the 1992 state champion Pacelli boys basketball team. Rachel was a little reluctant, but she’s starting to learn to embrace the sport that her family holds near and dear. “I was always thrown into basketball stuff and my brother Samuel always enjoyed it way more than I did,” Rachel said. “Then I got into middle school and high school and I started to realize this was something I could be interested in. Grandpa and dad were big factors and they helped me out.” Terry has served as assistant coach for Lyle-Pacelli over the past four years and he probably has as good a perspective as anyone as to what it would mean if LP was able to capture a state title this season. Terry’s teams made it to state in 1979, 1980 and 1981. In 1980, the Shamrocks lost an all-state player in the last minute of the semifinals, before falling in the finals to Albany. Terry was also an assistant coach on the LP team that finished fourth in state in 2015. “We’ve got second, third and fourth place taken care of. We need to get number one and I think that would be one of the most fabulous things that could happen for the Pacelli and Lyle communities,” Terry said. “We’ve been number one for a long time [this year]. It’s hard to be number one, but it’s even harder to stay number one. With the bullseye on our back, These kids have been resilient and they’ve worked really hard at playing possession by possession.” LP head coach Justin Morris said that Terry’s experience has been very valuable to the team and he also sees Rachel, who spent most of her time on JV this season, playing a much bigger role on next year’s team. “[Terry] has perspective and he has a passion for the game. These kids really love him,” Justin said. “[Assistant coach] Brad [Walter] and I are very intense and Terry just brings that likability and that good-hearted nature. He’s been there. He’s won and he’s had success. Rachel
Lyle-Pacelli sophomore Rachel Nelsen, left, and her grandfather Terry Nelsen, right, are both a part of this year’s LP girls basektball team. Rachel has provided a push off the bench and in practice and Terry, who once led Pacelli to three state tournaments, is an assistant coach. Rocky Hulne/sport@austindailyherald.com
Lyle-Pacelli assistant coaches Brad Walter, left and Terry Nelsen, observe practice in Lyle. RIGHT: Rachel practices in Lyle Tuesday. Rachel is the granddaughter of her assistant coach and former Pacelli coach Terry Nelsen and her dad Jake Nelsen was on the 1992 state championship Pacelli boys basketball team.
“They’re winners because they do what losers won’t do. They put in the time, they put up shots and they would come in here on Sundays.” Terry Nelson has so much potential. Her athleticism is off the chart and she’ll have a big role on next year’s team.” Terry said this LP team picked up its toughness over the summer against some
tough competition and he’s enjoyed watching the team put together such a successful season. It’s made it even better for him to have his granddaughter on the roster.
“Basketball was always a big thing in our family,” Terry said. “We’re really happy to have Rachel become a part of it and her brother Sam was able to dress for the varsity boys team this year.
Isaac, the sixth-grader, plays too so it’s like everybody in our family loves basketball.” While she hasn’t played a lot of postseason minutes, Rachel is embracing being a part of LP’s state run. She’s
worked her hardest in practice to push the starters and she has her eyes on making a much bigger impact next season. “Next year I’ll have more of an opportunity to participate a little more outside of practice. I’ve got to stick with it and work as hard as I can,” Rachel said. “[Going to state] hasn’t really sunk in at all yet. Right now we’re trying to get through practice and then I think I’ll be more excited. We’re all a big family. All of the girls are super close and there are no cliques. We can all go somewhere and there’s no big fights or anything.” Terry credited Morris and Walter with changing the basketball culture in LP over the past six years. He also gave credit to the workload his team puts in. “They’re winners because they do what losers won’t do,” Terry said of the team. “They put in the time, they put up shots and they would come in here on Sundays. We were fortunate to get Justin in here. He’s the man of a million sets and he’s one of the best strategists I’ve ever been around and I’ve been doing this for 51 years. Everything kind of fell into place.”
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ROAD TO STATE
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018
A special supplement to the AUSTIN DAILY HERALD
Minnesota Class A State
Girls Basketball Tournament Quarterfinals Thursday, March 15
Semifinals
Heritage Christian Academy (19-10)
Thursday, March 16
11 a.m. at Williams Arena
No. 1 Lyle-Pacelli (29-1)
Noon at Target Center No. 5 Menahga (30-0) 1 p.m. at Williams Arena
Championship
No. 4 Minneota (25-4)
Noon at Target Center
Saturday, March 17
Stephen-Argyle (27-3) 3 p.m. at Williams Arena
No. 2 Mountain-Iron-Buhl (28-2)
2 p.m. at Target Center Sleepy Eye (26-4) 5 p.m. at Williams Arena
No. 3 Ada-Borup (27-2) Lyle-Pacelli point guard Brooke Walter
The Class A Breakdown Heritage Christian Academy
Record: 19-10 Points per game: 65.0 Points per game allowed: 54.6 QRF Ranking: 6 How they got to state: Beat Mayer Lutheran 71-58
Lyle-Pacelli
Record: 29-1 Points per game: 68.3 Points per game allowed: 36.7 QRF Ranking: 3 How they got to state: Beat Hayfield 75-63
Menahga
Record: 30-0 Points per game: 69.7 Points per game allowed: 37.8 QRF Ranking: 7 How they got to state: Beat BelgradeBrooten-Elrosa 56-52
Minneota
Record: 25-4 Points per game: 67.0 Points per game allowed: 47.7 QRF Ranking: 8 How they got to state: Beat Southwest Minnesota Christian 82-74
Stephen-Argyle Central
Record: 27-3 Points per game: 61.7 Points per game allowed: 40.8 QRF Ranking: 12 How they got to state: Beat Red Lake 56-49
Mountain Iron-Buhl Record: 28-2 Points per game: 77.6
Third Place 11 a.m., March 17, Concordia University
Consolation 10 a.m. March 16, Concordia 9 a.m. March 17, Concordia
Points per game allowed: 43.0 QRF Ranking: 1 How they got to state: Beat Bigfork 54-46 Noon, March 16, Concordia
Sleepy Eye
Record: 26-4 Points per game: 64.6 Points per game allowed: 45.7 QRF Ranking: 10 How they got to state: Beat St. Clair 59-41
Ada-Borup
Record: 27-2 Points per game: 62.8 Points per game allowed: 38.7 QRF Ranking: 4 How they got to state: Beat Underwood 64-48
StephenArgyle Mountain Iron-Buhl AdaBorup Menahga
Heritage Christian Academy Minneota
Minneapolis
Sleepy Eye LylePacelli
A special supplement to the AUSTIN DAILY HERALD
ROAD TO STATE
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018
A matter of trust LP’s success has come on the shoulders of the team
than your own, that’s when you’re in a special place. That’s where we are right now. They’ll do anything in the world for each other and trust is so important. I’m not sure how we got there, but I’m sure glad we did.” If LP wants to bring home the first state title in program history, it will have to win three games in three days against the best completion in Class A. Fett said the Athletics are ready for that challenge. “The biggest thing for us is hunger,” Fett said. “The hunger is fueled by excitement and motivation for doing it for everyone who’s come before us. Winning a state championship is not just a team goal, it’s a community goal and they deserve it just as much because they’ve supported us.”
By Rocky Hulne sports@austindailyherald.com
If the Lyle-Pacelli girls basketball team has one surefire strength headed into the Minnesota Class A State Girls Basketball Tournament, it would be the trust the team has in each other. While senior and Minnesota State University commit Kristi Fett is the focal point of LP’s offense on most nights, Fett is more than willing to pass it out to Kendal Truckenmiller or Abby Bollingberg for an open three-pointer when defenses sink in. Sophomore forward Olivia Christianson can also create offense in a big way when she gets the chance. LP senior Brooke Walter, who is a 1,000-point scorer, said the Athletics talked about trusting each over the summer and it has paid off for a team that now has the No. 1 seed in the state tournament. Lyle has never won a team state title in any sport in school history and Pacelli has never won a girls basketball state title. Walter, who is not going to play college basketball, is hoping to wrap up her playing days on a high note. “It’s obviously exciting for our team to get there, but we’re focused and we have bigger things to accomplish like a state championship,” Walter said. “And I think we’re ready to do that. We have three games left and we have to put everything
Lyle-Pacelli’s Abby Bollingberg looks for outlet against the Goodhue press in Lyle. Herald file photos
“They’re so committed to each other. There’s really no ego on this team and it’s the most selfless team we’ve had.” Justin Morris
Lyle-Pacelli’s Kristi Fett reaches for a rebound.
Head coach on the line. After we finish that, then we can rest.” LP head coach Justin Morris said the trust LP has as a team has been crucial to the success the Athletics have found this season. “They’re so committed to each other. They’re so
connected,” Morris said. “There’s really no ego on this team and it’s the most selfless team we’ve had. All they care bout is winning and the success of each other. When you get to the point where you care more about the success of your teammate
Lyle-Pacelli’s Olivia Christianson is interrupted off the break by Hayfield’s Emma Holst during the second half in the Section 1A championship in Rochester. Herald file photos
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ROAD TO STATE
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018
A special supplement to the AUSTIN DAILY HERALD
Winning
456492-1 A SEASON OF Herald file photos
photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Lyle-Pacelli’s Lucy Nelson looks insid against Randolph in Pacelli earlier this season.
Lyle-Pacelli’s Kendal Truckenmiller pops a three-point shot from the corner during the first half against Kingsland in the Section 1A quarterfinals.
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Kayla Christopherson holds down the defense. LEFT: The team poses with the trophy after winning Section 1A in Rochester.