Tiger girls end 2015 season at state tourney
The Springfield Tiger varsity girls basketball team ended their 2014-15 season at the Minnesota State Girls Basketball Tournament last week in Minneapolis. The Tigers battled hard in the opening half of play, shooting 50 percent from the field, but trailing 33-38 to undefeated Ada-Borup at the break. The second half saw the Tigers fall behind by 20 plus points and go on to drop the game to Ada Borup 71-53, who went on to win the Minnesota State Class A Tourney and end their season at 32-0.
With their loss to Ada-Borup, the Tigers ended their season with a fine 24-5 record; Tomahawk Conference champion; sub-section champion; section champion; and State Class A participant for a super 2014-15 season. Head Coach Paul Arnoldi wishes to thank the Tiger fans for all their support throughout the season, his staff and Assistant Coaches Tiffany Thedens and Brandon Wilhelmi. Coach Arnoldi especially wants to thank his players, starting with his seniors: Joeli Arnoldi, Jordyn Menage, Jenny Thoreson, Amy Davis, Mariah Hoyt, Hailey Wester and Taylor Milbrath; juniors: Natalie Timm, Kaelyn Platz, Kylee Wells, Micheala Leonard and Bridget Fenger; and sophomores: Vishe Raab and Callie Wersal. Coach Arnoldi thanks the Tiger seniors for their leadership as well as their fine play throughout the season.
Tigers 53 Ada-Borup 71
The Tiger girls won a spot in this year’s Minnesota State High School Girls Basketball Tournament with their super 54-53 victory over Mankato Loyola in the section championship game at Mankato on March 13.
The Tigers faced state ranked Ada-Borup (29-0) in the opening round of the Class A tourney at Mariucci Arena on the University of Minnesota campus in the Twin Cities on Thursday, March 19.
The Tigers stayed close throughout the first half with good outside shooting. The second half was Ada-Borup starting out fast with a 20 point lead and going on to the second round with the Tigers not qualifying for second round action. Ada-Borup would win two more games, defeating number 1 ranked Maranatha, for the Class A state championship at Williams Arena Saturday afternoon.
Leading the way for the Tigers against Ada-Borup was Vishe Raab with 24 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 5 steals. Teammate Joeli Arnoldi had 12 points, 1 rebound, 5 assists and 3 steals with Jenny Thoreson getting 10 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist. Taylor Milbrath had 5 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals with Kaelyn Platz getting 2 points and 1 rebound. Tiger players who played but did not score were Amy Davis, Bridget Fenger, Jordyn Menage, Mariah Hoyt, Kylee Wells, Callie Wersal, Hailey Wester and Micheala Leonard.
Congratulations to Head Coach Paul Arnoldi, Assistant Coaches Brandon Wilhelmi and Tiffany Thedens and the entire Tiger team on their fantastic 2014-15 season!
Ada-Borup 38-33—71
Tigers 33-20—53