Fillmore Central Punches Ticket To State Tournament

The Fillmore Central Lady Falcons saw an opportunity in front of them to get to the state tournament. The opportunity to become the first Fillmore Central basketball team, girls or boys, to be crowned Section 1A Champion.

It was a tall task, but the Lady Falcons were ready for it, and it showed right from tip-off. The Falcons played fast, played great defense, and defeated top-seeded and no. 9 ranked Blooming Prairie 69-56 to claim the Section 1A title and punch their ticket to the state tournament.

Fillmore Central played fast right out of the gate, forcing turnovers and creating opportunities on offense with their defense. The Falcons jumped out to an 18-8 and led the entire game.

Emma Breitsprecher and Kandace Sikkink were great for the Falcons as they sliced the Blossoms defense in the first half to help the lead increased to 12, 27-15, with just over five minutes to go in the half. The Falcons were able to carry that into a 36-24 lead at the break.

The talented Blossoms team was not going away easily, as they continued to battle and got Megan Oswald involved early in the second half to cut the lead down to six quickly at 43-37.

Fillmore Central responded with great offense and continued to attack the Blooming Prairie defense, to build the lead back up to double digits.

With just 3 minutes to go, the Blossoms cut the lead down to five after a Julia Worke 3. The Falcons did not hang their heads, they battled back and got some key free throws from Kassidy Broadwater down the stretch, and then a big three from Hope Sexton to seal the 69-56 win.

Sikkink led the way with 25 points, while Breitsprecher finished with 16 to lead Fillmore Central. Sexton had 12, on four 3's, while Broadwater and Mensink added 7. Oswald paced the Blossoms with 23 points, while Wordke added 12.

The win sends Fillmore Central to the Class A State tournament. They will play at the Maturi Pavilion in Minneapolis Thursday, with the time of tip-off and opponent still TBD. All of the Lady Falcons games will be broadcasted on 103.1 KFIL.