ROCHESTER – The top-seeded Southland boys basketball team is on a mission to make a big playoff push and the Rebels showed they meant business as they pounded No. 8 Faribault Bethlehem Academy (11-15 overall) 75-38 in a Section 1A quarterfinal in Mayo Civic Auditorium Monday night.
The Rebels (26-1 overall) cruised from the start and the game was in running time with nine minutes left.
Southland was led by the junior trio of Ethan Schammel, who posted 15 points and three blocked shots, Henry Wiste, who scored 22 points, and Tate Goergen, who racked up 20 points, four rebounds and five assists.
“It’s a team game every time we play, and defense wins games. That’s our main thing,” Schammel said. “We’re ready for the next one. It’s going to be fun.”
After taking an early 16-6 lead, the Rebels closed out the first half on a 32-10 push as their defense controlled the tempo from the opening whistle.
Southland head coach Scott Koenigs credited his team for coming out with intensity.