Top-5 Girl’s Showdown in Plainview!

Last night, KFIL broadcasted the Three Rivers Conference girl's basketball game between Dover-Eyota and Plainview-Elgin-Millville. In front of a packed gymnasium, two top-five rated teams in Class AA faced off. The teams traded mini runs through most of the first half. The top-rated Bulldogs of PEM used a 13-0 run to grab a double-digit lead at 19-8. Later on, the fifth-ranked D-E Eagles, the defending AA state champions, scored 7 straight to cut the lead to six, and eventually it was an eight point lead for PEM at the break 35-27. After the Eagles scored the first bucket of half number two, PEM used an 11-2 run to take a 15 point lead at 46-31. The lead for the Bulldogs swelled to 21 before a late Eagles' run, but time was far too short for D-E. The Bulldogs take round one of their conference meetings 66-53. P-E-M grabbed 21 offensive rebounds in the contest. They will meet again on the final night of the regular season (Fri. Feb. 19), and we'll once again feature it on KFIL Sports!

Another 'treat' from last night was that the game featured two players committed to play Division I college women's basketball next season. They were both awarded  “Player of the Game” honors from last night's game. For Dover-Eyota, it was Madison Nelson. The University of Denver recruit led the Eagles with 16 points, and added 6 steals, 5 blocked shots, and 3 assists. For Plainview-Elgin-Millville, the award winner was Sarah Hart. Hart tied for a team and game-high 17 points, dished out 6 assists, and had two steals. Sarah is committed to play at St. Bonaventure University in New York. (Note: with keeping all my own stats, I do not always have individual rebounds- these two had plenty!)

The “Game Ball” was awarded to Hayley Dessner of P-E-M. The sophomore is averaging double-digit points coming off the bench, and was a major contributor. She matched Hart with 17 points, going 5-6 from the free throw line, and I'm positive that she had double-digit rebounds as well. Dessner also swatted away three Eagles shot attempts.

We wrap up our January coverage Friday night with Three Rivers boy's basketball. The Kingsland Knights visit the Chatfield Gophers. Pregame scheduled for 7:15 on KFIL & kfilradio.com.

Basketball Photo credit: Rick Madonik, Getty Images

Gym photo credit: Devon Krueger