Hayfield Boys Basketball Cruises to State Title Game

Behind Senior Ethan Slaathaug's 34 points the Hayfield Vikings rolled by Badger/Greenbush-Middle River 79-53 today in MSHSL Class A Semifinals action at the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis.

Slatthaug started the game much like he did last week.  Very efficient.  He poured in 20 first half points while the Vikings converted 14 Gators turnovers into 19 points en route to a 38-26 halftime lead.

Hayfield extended their winning streak to seven games and ended Badger's at eleven.

Slauthaag was 7 of 11 from the field in the first half with two 3 point baskets in 4 attempts.  The 6'3 senior was 4 of 6 from the free throw line.

The Gators got three 3 point baskets toward the end of the half to give them a 9-0 edge in points off the bench at halftime.

Slaathaug finished the game 11 of 16 from the field with three 3 point baskets in 6 attempts.  He cashed in on 9 of 12 free throws with 4 assists and 4 rebounds.  Junior Isaac Matti added 22 points with 4 three point baskets to lead the team.  Matti was 8 of 16 from the field.

Junior Easton Fritcher  pulled down 15 rebounds to go along with his 5 points and 3 assists.  Sophomore Ethan Pack tallied 11 points with 2 three point baskets.

Hayfield finished the game with 15 assists on 26 field goals.  They turned the ball over 5 times in the first half but added 12 more in the second half.

The Vikings shot 53 percent from the field for the game, 43 percent from three point range, going 10 of 23.  The Gators were 4 of 14 from beyond the arc and shot 37 percent for the game.  They were 11 of 17 from the free throw line while Hayfield was 17 of 24 from the charity stripe.

The Vikings scored 24 points off 20 Badger turnovers which the Gators got 15 points off the 17 total Hayfield turnovers.

Points in the Ziebell Law Office of Kasson paint were even at 28 apiece.

Badger/Greenbush-Middle River ends their season 20-4.  Hayfield heads to the championship game Saturday with a 20-4 mark.

In the other Class A Semifinals game the Hancock Owls defeated Sleepy Eye St. Mary's 65-53.  There was simply no answer for 6'7 junior Matt Thompson who finished the game with 20 points and 19 rebounds.  He was 7 of 11 from the  field, 6 of 9 from the free throw line.

Senior 6'1 Kody Berget added 18 points on 6 of 11 shooting from three point range to give the Owls a terrfic, inside, outside attack.  Senior 6'2 Preston Rohloff had 14 points and 6 assists for Hancock.

The Saints had a 34 to 29 lead at the half while outrebounding the Owls 13-11.  The game totals showed Hancock with a 6 rebound advantage.

Sleepy Eye St. Mary's shot a blistering 62 percent from the field at the half and finished the game at 43 percent after a 25 percent second half performance.

If the Hayfield Vikings can get their running game going I think they will be in good shape.

The MSHSL Class A Boys State Championship game is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. tip time.  KDHL 920 AM, 97.9 FM will be broadcasting and it will be available worldwide on the KDHL app.

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