MVL runs past Nicollet behind Holzhueter's 17

By JEREMY BEHNKE

Journal Sports Writer

MANKATO -- Sometimes you have to be careful of what you wish for.

After Nicollet's quarterfinal win over New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Tuesday night at the Pepsi Holiday Basketball Tournament, Nicollet's Jeff Zimmerman wanted to play Minnesota Valley Lutheran, and perhaps gain some revenge on the Chargers.

Zimmerman got his wish to play MVL, but the result was the same as the Chargers defeated the Raiders 60-45 in the semifinals at Bethany Lutheran College.

The Chargers (7-2) face Maple River for the championship at 8:30 tonight.

Sophomore guard Greg Holzhueter led the Chargers with 17 points, including five free throws in the final quarter.

"Greg's our leading free throw shooter, and that's what makes it nice is your point guard is your free throw shooter," MVL coach Craig Morgan said. "When he drives or when he gets fouled late in the game, you can count on his free throws going in. He's really matured fast, and he's starting to see the floor well."

Ben Ziesemer scored 15 points, all from three-point range. After the game, he talked about the shootout with Zimmerman. The Chargers held Zimmerman to 10 points one night after he scored 22. Mike Rosin led the Raiders with 19 points and eight rebounds.

"It's a big rivalry," Ziesemer said. "The thing is, you have to get out on both Zimmerman and Rosin. They're big for them. You may be able to hold those guys, but you're never going to be able to stop them."

"Zimmerman had a big game against New Richland, and he did the last time we played them, so we said we're not going to let him get the ball," Morgan said. "We had good team defense with [Jake] Unke and [Jason] Costello, and then Phil Holz fills in a little bit."

The Chargers led 17-10 after the first quarter, and they were sparked by Holzhueter's eight points in the second quarter to take a 35-22 lead at the break.

"Greg's been doing a nice job of running the offense and setting it up," Ziesemer said. "When our offense gets running in its motion, its a whole lot more fun to watch."

The Chargers also got a lift off the bench from Sam Siemers, who scored 12 points and grabbed five rebounds.

"Sam played real well, and he's from Nicollet so he wants to play tough against the home team," Ziesemer said. "That was real huge having that extra factor coming in off the bench and provide spark on both ends."

"Sam had to step up, because he's been playing tentative lately, so we needed him big time," Morgan said.

In the third quarter, Holzhueter's pull-up jumper and a three-pointer from Siemers gave the Chargers a 46-30 lead. Nicollet trimmed the lead to eight on a basket from Andy Emich, but the Chargers called a timeout and managed to pull away the 15-point win.

The Chargers play in the championship tonight, and Ziesemer said it doesn't matter who they face.

"With Loyola, we beat them here last year, so it would be nice to play them, and Maple River's a real tough team -- they have some size," Ziesemer said.

"Either team's going to be real tough and they both deserve to be there, and both of them probably deserve to be in the championship."

Jeremy Behnke can be reached at jbehnke@nujournal.com.

Maple River 62,

Mankato Loyola 45

MANKATO -- Maple River entered the half with a nine point lead, and outscored Mankato Loyola 23-11 in the third quarter en route to a 62-45 victory in the Pepsi Holiday Tournament.

Maple River was led by guard Mitch Drager, who torched the Crusaders with five three-pointers, and finished the game with 18 points. Jeremy Peterson also finished in double-digits, scoring 11 points.

For Loyola, Jon Miller had 11 points.

The Crusaders play for third place tomorrow when they face the Nicollet Raiders.

Maple River (7-1) will play for the championship at 8:30 p.m. tonight against defending tournament champion Minnesota Valley Lutheran.

NRHEG 61, St. Peter 60

MANKATO -- New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva weathered a furious third quarter rally by St. Peter to hang on to a 61-60 victory in the Pepsi Holiday boys basketball tournament Wednesday.

After trailing 37-29 at the half, the Saints came back to take a 46-40 lead into the fourth quarter. But NRHEG's Bjorn Peterson scored seven of his 17 points in the final quarter to help the Panthers take back the lead and the game.

Also in double-figures for NRHEG was Matt Mangskau, who had 12 points.

St. Peter was led by Matt Knutson, who finished with 18 points, while Ben Miller and Aron Mayo each finished with 10.

Free throw shooting proved to be the difference in the game, as NRHEG shot 22-of-33 from the line, while the Saints shot only 13-of-23.