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CLASS AA STATE TOURNAMENT PREVIEW: Royals take on Rochester Lourdes in quarterfinals


Class AA State Quarterfinals

No. 3 Watertown-Mayer vs. Rochester Lourdes

Wednesday, March 15 at Mariucci Arena, 8 p.m.

ABOUT THE TEAMS:

Watertown-Mayer Royals (Section 5AA Champions)

26-3 overall

13-1 conference record (Wright County Conference

9-1 in last 10 games

Path To State Tournament:

Section 5AA Quarterfinals: W-M 66, Maple Lake 32

Section 5AA Semifinals: W-M 85, Litchfield 59

Section 5AA Championship: W-M 55, Holy Family 44

KEY PLAYERS:

Kirstin Klitzke (Guard, 5’8, Senior) Klitzke comes into the state tournament with just 15 points away from 2,000 career points. Should she reach that milestone at the tournament, she would the third girl in program history, and the second one this season. Teammate Claire Killian reached that milestone against Eden Valley-Watkins back on Jan. 14.

Klitzke, who will be playing at the next level at MSU-Mankato next year, is a dual threat player on the offensive end. Not only does she knock down the three at at a 40 percent rate, she’s a tough guard as she can blow past her defenders and finish at the basket. She’s averaging 13.5 points per a game this season, and is the reason for the Royals’ up-tempo style. She has 137 assists this season, to just 65 turnovers.

Claire Killian (Guard, 5’9, Senior) – Killian, one of the two girls in program history to already reach 2,000 career points, is another tough matchup for opponents. With her size and quickness, Killian get to the rim easy and is a good fisher as well. She can also knock down the 3-pointer, as she leads the team in 3-pointers made with 56.

Killian, who will also be playing at the next level next year for the University of Nebraska-Omaha, has been quiet the past few games for the Royals by her standards. She’s averaging over 18 points a game, but was held to just eight points on 3-for-9 shooting in the Royals’ 55-44 win over Holy Family in the Section 5AA title game. Look for Killian to get back on track on the big stage tonight as the Royals look to reach the Class AA semifinals for the first time in school history with a win over Rochester Lourdes.

Monika Czinano (Forward, 6’2, Junior) – Czinano is a force to be reckoned with inside. Averaging a double-double with over 16 points a game to go along 10.2 rebounds a game, when Czinano gets position in deep, it’s game over for her defender.

Czinano, an Iowa commit, has been playing some of her best basketball of the season as of late. In the Royals’ Section 5AA semifinal game against Litchfield, Czinano had a team-high 25 points and 13 rebounds. She followed that up with a 22 points] and 18 rebounds performance in the title game against Holy Family. The offense runs through her, and if she gets going, that opens things up for players like Klitzke and Killian. If the big three are clicking, the Royals are a tough team to compete with.

X-FACTORS:

Emma Ragner (Guard, 5’4, Junior) Ragner is a tough-nosed guard who can make some key plays for the Royals. She also is a great passer, averaging over three assists per a game.

Grace Knutson (Guard, 5’6, Junior) For being 5-foot-6, Knutson plays big for her size. She’s not afraid to play hard in the post when asked. She’s averaging over four rebounds a game, and gives the Royals some good minutes off the bench.

TEAM OUTLOOK:

The Royals arguably are one of the most talented teams in the tournament. With three players on the roster heading to the Division one or two level, the Royals are a team that needs to be taken seriously. The Royals are making just their second state tournament appearance, with the first one coming in 2010. If the Royals hope to make a deep run for a shot at a state title, they’ll need their terrific trio along with key reserves to continue to play well, and to play together.

Rochester Lourdes Eagles (Section 1AA Champions)

21-9 overall

12-4 Conference Record (Hiawatha Valley Conference)

8-2 in last 10 games

Path To State Tournament:

Section 1AA First Round: Rochester Lourdes 79, La Crescent 31

Section 1AA Quarterfinals: Rochester Lourdes 60, Caledonia 48

Section 1AA Semifinals: Rochester Lourdes 65, Hayfield 49

Section 1AA Championship: Rochester Lourdes 67, Kenyon-Wanamingo 61

Megan Hobday (Center, 6’0, Senior) –Hobday is one of the top two scorers for the Eagles. She’s averaging over 11 points a game, and leads the team in rebounds as well, grabbing over eight a game. She’s shooting 37 percent from the field this season, and will be a key player for the Royals to contain.

Alyssa Ustby (Guard, 5’11, Freshman) Unlike the Royals who are an experienced bunch led by upperclassmen, the Eagles have some young talent. Ustby is the team’s leading scorer at 14.8 points per a game, and is just a freshman. She is also one of the top players in assists on team as well. How the freshman is able to handle the pressure of a state tournament will play a role if the Eagles can pull of the upset.

Wynter Bergner (Forward, 5’11, Junior) – Bergner is one of three players averaging double digit points per a game for the Eagles. She’s also the team’s best 3-point shooter, making 78 of them heading into the tournament.

TEAM OUTLOOK:

The Eagles came out victorious in a tough section as the No. 3 seed. With three players averaging 10 or more points a game, they will be a tough matchup for the third-seeded Royals.

For in-game updates and analysis throughout the game, follow Kip Kovar on Twitter.

Twitter: @Kovar_HJSports

 

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