Girls basketball: NLS Wildcats cruise back to state

MARSHALL — It was Dakota Rich’s night in the Section 3AA championship.

Rich scored 28 points in the New London-Spicer girls basketball team’s 80-40 victory over Windom on Friday at Southwest Minnesota State University’s R/A Facility. NLS was the top seed in the north and the Eagles were the second seed out of the south.

“We had a good streak going with shooting,” Rich said. “We played great defense and really hustled and played as hard as we could. It was good to see the rewards that came from that.”

The victory puts the Wildcats back in the state tournament for a second straight season and the 21st time in program history. NLS has also made Class AA state appearances in four of the last five seasons.

“It’s absolutely great,” Wildcats head coach Mike Dreier said. “It was a year that the state tournament might be a little bit more of a reach than it had been because we had such a good group last year.

“These guys have pretty much duplicated what last year’s group did or close to it anyway.”

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

Rich had it going early and often. The junior guard scored 26 of her points in the first half and drilled eight 3-pointers. She shot 8 of 11 from beyond the arc in the first 18 minutes.

“It was nice to get some confidence back because, obviously with my shoulder, it can be hard sometimes,” Rich said while sporting a brace on her left shoulder. “It was good to have a little confidence boost, and hopefully, we can keep it going.”

“Dakota definitely helps our team on a different level,” Wildcats sophomore guard Ayla Caskey said. “She’s an amazing shooter. Even with her injuries, she still seems to pull through it. I’m really happy for her.”

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

Rich’s effort offensively highlighted an explosive first half on both ends of the floor for the Wildcats. NLS had a 34-1 run within the first 18 minutes before taking a 55-19 lead into halftime.

“It went perfect,” NLS senior forward Delaney Hanson said. “We were making all our shots; we were playing amazing defense.”

The Wildcats’ fast start, where they also got 11 first-half points from Caskey and junior forward Ava Carlson, allowed Dreier to utilize all 17 of his players who were dressed in the second half.

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

Dreier’s starting five was subbed out before seven minutes had passed in the final 18 minutes.

“It’s so cool to have everyone get the rewards they deserve from working everyday in practice,” Rich said. “It’s just so nice to have everyone that works their butt off in practice get a chance on the court.”

The Class AA state quarterfinals take place at 6 or 8 p.m. Wednesday at Williams Arena or Maturi Pavilion on the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis. Coaches of the eight state tournament teams will seed to determine opponents.