Lakeville Sports Roundup: South Hoopsters Take SSC Lead

The winter sports season drew closer to its conclusion as the Lakeville gymnasts and wrestlers competed in their respective sectional tournaments, while the North and South basketball teams neared the end of their regular seasons with the Cougars taking a one-game lead in the conference with two to play.

North Gymnastics: Blake Qualifies For State; Panthers Third In  Sectional

North's Kelly Blake qualified for the state Class AA gymnastics meet after finishing third in the vault with a score of 9.45 at Section 3AA championships at Park High School in Cottage Grove on Saturday.

The Panthers took third in the team competition with a 142.250.

South competed in the Section 1AA championship meet on Saturday. Results from that competition were not yet available.

North/South Wrestling: Panthers, Cougars Compete In 2AAA Team Meet

The North and South matmen both competed in the Section 2AAA team tournament on Saturday at Chanhassen High School.

While the Cougars were nipped, 34-34, in their opening round match, the Panthers defeated Chanhassen/Chaska by the same score in the quarterfinals before losing, 51-15, in the semifinals.

Grapplers from both squads will compete in the 2AAA individual tourney on Feb. 25 at Prior Lake High School.

North Boys Hockey: Panthers 5, Rosemount 0

The North boys hockey team shutout Rosemount, 5-0, at on Saturday in its regular-season finale.

Blake Winiecki scored twice for the Panthers, with teammates Conner Hyden, Johnny Domina and Ben Counters each chipping in one goal apiece as Charlie Lindgren made 26 saves for the clean sheet in net.

North completed the regular season with a 10-14-1 overall record and a 7-11 mark in the South Suburban Conference as the Panthers now prepare for the Section 1AA Tournament, set to begin this coming week.

South Boys Basketball: Cougars 70, Jefferson 46

The South boys basketball team topped visiting Bloomington Jefferson, 70-46, to take a one-game lead in the South Suburban on Saturday night.

Alex Richter was the only one of 12 Cougars players to score in double digits, but recorded a game-high 25 points to lead South to the win.

With the victory and an Eastview loss, the Cougars (17-5 overall) improved to 12-2 in the conference as South prepares to play at Bloomington Kennedy on Tuesday at 7:15 p.m.

A win at Kennedy clinches at least a share of the conference title for South, no matter what happens against Eastview in the regular-season finale on Friday night.

North Girls Basketball: Panthers 70, Burnsville 22

A 70-22 win at Burnsville on Friday improved the North girls basketball team to 22-2 overall and clinched the first-ever South Suburban championship for the Panthers, who have a 16-0 conference mark with two circuit games to go.

North teammates Apiew Ojulu and Jaya Perkins shared the game's scoring lead with 12 points apiece, with Rachel Banham scoring 10 points.

North travels to Bloomington Jefferson on Tuesday night at 7:15 p.m.

North Boys Basketball: Burnsville 52, Panthers 43

The North boys basketball team could not dig their way out of a 29-11 halftime hole and despite a valiant second-half effort, lost by a 52-43 score to visiting Burnsville on Friday night.

While the Cougars battled back to out-score the Blaze, 32-23 in the final 18 minutes, but could not draw even as Devin Shockley paced North with a 10-point night.

North, now 9-13 overall and 7-7 in the South Suburban,  hosts Bloomington Jefferson on Tuesday night at 7:15 p.m.

South Girls Basketball: Jefferson 61, Cougars 33

A 61-33 loss at Bloomington Jefferson on Friday dropped the South girls basketball team to 1-23 overall and 0-16 in the conference.

The Cougars were led by Kelsey Thulien's 14 points in the loss as the team moves into the final week of the regular season with a Tuesday night home game against Bloomington Kennedy at 7:15 p.m.

Results were not available from an invitational swimming and diving meet involving teams from both Lakeville North and South on Saturday.