Goodhue avenges early loss to Mountain Iron-Buhl in Class 1A title game

Spring ahead took on even more meaning Saturday afternoon in Goodhue. December is a distant memory.

The No. 2-ranked Wildcats avenged a regular-season beat-down by No. 1 Mountain Iron-Buhl, successfully defending their Class 1A state championship with a 73-51 victory over the Rangers at Williams Arena. Mountain Iron-Buhl throttled Goodhue 78-34 on Dec. 3.

"That game was in the back of our heads all of the time," Goodhue senior guard Mckenzie Ryan said. "It's an amazing feeling to be back-to-back state champions. Not too many people can say that."

Goodhue jumped on the Rangers at the outset, racing to a 16-6 lead in the first seven minutes. Senior guard Maddy Miller scored eight of her game-high 21 points during the quick start.

The Wildcats' 2-3 zone also pushed Mountain Iron-Buhl's offense farther out on the court than it preferred, limiting the Rangers to two field goals in their first 11 attempts.

"Goodhue really took it to us aggressively," Mountain Iron-Buhl coach Jeff Buffetta said.

The Rangers (31-2) needed to change the momentum and did so by picking up Goodhue with full-court pressure on defense.

Ryan quickly restored order for the Wildcats (28-4) with back-to-back three-point plays. Both plays were identical, hard-driving layups to the basket and one. Ryan wound up with 14 points as the Wildcats had four players in double figures. Goodhue led 29-22 at halftime.

"It gave us a lot of energy, a spark," Ryan said.

It carried over into the second half. Junior forward Sydney Lodermeier buried a three-pointer on the Wildcats' initial possession, and the celebration was drawing near.

She finished with a double-double (14 points and 14 rebounds). The Wildcats held a 45-22 advantage on the boards.

Senior guard Chelsea Mason led the Rangers with 16 points.