Boys Basketball: Lake City captures HVL Blue crown

Jake Griebenow helped seal up the Hiawatha Valley League Blue Division for Lake City Tuesday against Zumbrota-Mazeppa.

The Tigers’ senior gave them a 66-63 lead on a 3-point play with 32 seconds left and Lake City held on for a 68-63 victory in Zumbrota.

The Cougars (12-9, 8-3 HVL Blue) had a chance to tie the game with 4.9 seconds remaining in the game as Cody Krueger was fouled in the act of shooting a 3-pointer. Krueger, who had 15 points on 5 3-pointers, missed the first two attempts and tried to force a rebound on the third but stepped over the line, giving the Tigers the ball. On the ensuing inbounds play, Ben Schramski received the inbounds play for Lake City and knocked down two free throws to pick up the victory.

Schramski finished with a team-high 20 points going along with five rebounds and three steals. Griebenow had 14 points and six rebounds while Brady Kuchinka provided 15 points and four rebounds for the Tigers (17-3, 10-1 HVL Blue).

Z-M was led by Kevin Niebuhr with 20 points and Nathaniel Rauen contributed 16 points and seven rebounds in the loss. The Cougars shot 50 percent from the field but made just 2 of 8 free throws.

Lake City held a 30-24 lead at halftime and established a 41-31 lead early in the second half. Z-M responded with an 11-0 run to garner its first lead since 11 minutes, 31 seconds of the first half. The Cougars led all the way until the 59 second mark, when a 3-pointer by Schramski tied the game at 63.

The win gives the Tigers’ their first conference championship since the 2004-05 season. The HVL Championship game will be played Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. as Lake City hosts HVL Gold champion and second-ranked (2A) Byron.

The Tigers next game is Friday on the road against La Crescent.

Tags: boys basketball, lake city, sports, prep, zumbrota, mazeppa