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Perham Boys Complete Successful Section Tournament Run with Win Over DGF

By Jason Groth, 03/21/22, 12:15PM CDT

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The Perham Yellowjackets boys’ basketball team completed its run through the Heart O’Lakes Conference gauntlet on its way to a 54-40 victory over the Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Rebels in the Section 8AA Championship game on Friday night in Detroit Lakes.

The Yellowjackets received 16 points from Jacob Daniels and another strong defensive performance in earning the 14-point win. The Yellowjackets held their opponents to 43.25 points per game during their run to the Section 8AA Championship.

After missing a couple of early 3-point looks, the Yellowjackets caught fire from beyond the arc. The Yellowjackets hit six 3-pointers in the first half, accounting for 18 of their 22 points.

However, DGF had an answer in the form of junior Owen Leach. Leach was dynamic throughout the first half, hitting from the outside and knifing his way through the Yellowjackets defense. Leach scored 18 of his 27 points in the first half.

The Yellowjackets eventually took control of the second half, using their familiar method of success, patient offense and strong defense. The Yellowjackets outscored the Rebels 32-18 in the second half and closed out the game at the free throw line.

Daniels hit a team-high four 3-pointers and added a pair of late baskets when the Yellowjackets were able to break the Rebels’ full-court pressure late. Micah Thompson finished with 15 points, working on the interior against the Rebel defense.

The Yellowjackets throughout their run to the Section 8AA Championship used patient and effective offense, working the clock and getting consistent good looks at the basket. That continued to be the trend in the championship game. Soren Anderson hit a pair of second half 3-pointers and Daniels added another. For the game, Perham hit nine 3-pointers.

Anderson finished with 11 points, while Chas Melvin finished with five points. Alex Ohm added seven points, hitting several key free throws late in the game.

The Yellowjackets opened the postseason by holding Crookston to just 37 points in a 68-37 win. After its opening round win, the Yellowjackets worked their way through three conference rivals.

The Yellowjackets won the rubber match against Hawley with a 67-59 victory in the quarterfinals. The Nuggets scored the most points against the Yellowjackets during the Section 8AA Tournament.

The Yellowjackets avenged a pair of defeats to Heart O’Lakes Conference Champion Pelican Rapids in the semifinals. The Yellowjackets clamped down and held the high scoring Pelican Rapids Vikings off the scoreboard for much of the game. However, the Yellowjackets had to hold off a furious rally from the Vikings in the 43-37 victory.

The victory over the Rebels was the third straight playoff win against an HOL rival and it was another rubber match win. Both teams won on their home court during the regular season.

The Rebels recorded points from just three players in the game. Leach led the way with 27, before fouling out late in the game. Drew Sheeley finished with three and Logan Bitker added 10 points to account for the scoring for the Rebels.

The Yellowjackets have now won five straight games and will be making their fifth overall appearance at the Class AA Tournament. The championship win is the Yellowjackets fifth overall and first since 2019.

Perham will open state tournament play at 6:00pm Tuesday night at Target Center against number two seeded Caledonia.