WADENA – The Nevis girls basketball team avenged a loss to Browerville-Eagle Valley during the regular season to advance to the Section 5A West championship game.
Nevis overcame a 28-21 halftime deficit to eliminate the No. 2 seed with a 60-51 victory at Wadena.
B-EV took a 26-15 lead despite two jumpers and a 3-pointer by Kayli Bessler and three baskets by Ava Isaacson. A layup by Addison Lindow and a jumper by Marley Mitchell led the Tigers to close out the first half.
Three baskets by Bessler and a jumper by Mya Stacey put Nevis in front 31-30. Isaacson turned two rebounds into baskets, Bessler hit a 3-pointer, Stacey hit a jumper and Isaacson scored on a layup as the Tigers led 42-38. After a jumper by Isaacson, two putbacks by Mitchell, a layup by Lindow and a 3-pointer by Stacey kept Nevis in front 54-47, the Tigers made six straight free throws in the late going to ice the win.
Bessler’s double-double of 21 points and 14 rebounds along with Isaacson’s 18 points, nine rebounds and three steals led the Tigers. Mitchell grabbed 11 rebounds and Lindow had four assists as Nevis advanced with a 17-8 record. B-EV defeated the Tigers 59-34 on Jan. 17.
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Alyah Abrahamson’s 15 points and seven steals, Anna Myers’ 10 points and Lauren Schnettler’s 10 rebounds led B-EV, which ended the season at 19-8.
B-B-E defeated PR-B 58-41 in the other West semifinal game. Nevis and B-B-E will play for the Section 5A West title at 7 p.m. at Wadena on Wednesday (March 9).
“In the first meeting, Ava got in foul trouble early and ended up playing only about 18 minutes. She not only didn't get in foul trouble this time around, she also played a really good game. Kayli also had a super game,” said Schroeder. “Those two performances, along with our steady defensive team play, was enough to get us the win against a quality team.”
