Lady Warriors now two games away from State Tournement - P10

THIEF RIVER FALLS -The Red Lake Lady Warriors (17-3) made history again on Saturday, March 8, 2014 by taking down the Fosston Greyhounds 67-59 in their Sub-Section 8A East semifinal game at the Ralph Engelstad Arena (REA).

They are now one game away from winning the Section 8E Tournament Championship, and yet another win would give them the chance at winning the Section 8 Tournament and advancing to the State Tournament.

The win on Saturday was the furthest the Lady Warriors have made it. Last year they were eliminated by Fosston, but it was still a historic year because they had never won a game in the Section Tournaments.

On Friday the Red Lake Boys team captured their 8A Championship by beating Northern Freeze 70-67 and a state berth. The boys have never won a State Tournament, and the last time they made it this far, was in 2003.

The Lady Warriors (#1 Seed in 8E) will face Clearbrook-Gonvick (#3 Seed) at 7:45 PM on Tuesday in the Sub-Section 8A East Final. They have won 13 of their past 14 games and will take a 17-3 record into the contest. The Bears upset Walker-Hackensack-Akley (#2 Seed) also on Saturday 55-51. Red Lake has not played Clearbrook-Gonvick this season

Right from the tip off it was close all the way, with neither team able to put together a lead. Two Red Lake players, Grace White and Avery Holthusen both were in foul trouble early in the first half with 3 each, and were pulled from the game for about 8 minutes in that half. Fosston led 31-30 at halftime

The Warriors outscored the Greyhounds 37-28 in the second half, however, and once they lead by 5 late in the second half, Fosston was forced to play catch up ball.

Grace White led the Warriors with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Averi Holthysen scored 18, 10-12 at the free throw line, Sam Roy had 13 and 4 rebounds, Sara Mountain added 7 and 6 rebounds and Seleasha Roy hit for 5 points.

Fosston was led by Abby Swanson, who scored a game-high 22 points and 9 rebounds, Emily Curfman 10 points/7 rebounds, Tara Viken 6 points/6 rebounds, Kali Schmidt 4 points (off the bench), Morgan Wilson 4 points and Katie Nelson 2 points/6 rebounds.

In the other Section 8A East semifinal, Clearbrook-Gonvick edged Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 55-51. W-H-A led Cleabrook 29-25 at halftime but Clearbrook used a big second half by Madison Stenzel to help rally for the win. Stenzel scored 15 of her game-high 24 points in the second half to help the Bears get the win.

In the Sub-Section 8A West semifinals, Win-E-Mac beat Stephen-Argyle 42-32 and Red Lake Falls beat Sacred Heart 67-55. Win-E-Mac and Red Lake Falls will play at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, also at the REA in Thief River Falls.