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PHOTO GALLERY: Mankato West v. Mankato East boys basketball

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  • Mankato West's Alex Knutson (left) and Mankato East's Brett Olson reach for a loose ball during the first half Tuesday at Bresnan Arena. Pat Christman

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February 21, 2012

East beats West, Ziegler reaches 1,000 points

By Chad Courrier The Free Press

MANKATO — MANKATO — Brody Ziegler needed 18 points Tuesday to reach 1,000 for his career, but at halftime, he had only 5, which included three free throws.

However, in the locker room, Mankato East boys basketball coach Joe Madson knew he’d have to light a fire under his senior center.

“Sometimes, he’s too nice,” Madson said. “We need him to be aggressive, but we went to him and few times (in the first half) and he deferred.”

Ziegler reached the milestone, scoring 17 points in the second half, as East downed West 69-53 in a Big Nine Conference game Tuesday at Bresnan Arena. It was a much more competitive game than the first time the teams met, as the Cougars won that one 75-46.

“We knew they were going to come out hard at us,” Ziegler said. “We were taking too many outside shots, and once we were able to get the ball inside, we were able to pull away.”

Kennedy Maker’s third 3-pointer put the Scarlets up 17-15 with six minutes remaining in the first half when East’s Taylor Hayenga started to work the paint. He grabbed two offensive rebounds and was fouled, hitting both free throws, then converted a three-point play. Hayenga then took assists from Kowalski and Ziegler to convert consecutive baskets as the Cougars completed the 11-point run, leading 26-19 at halftime.

“He’s the epitome of a garbage man,” Madson said. “He’s our best offensive rebounder, and he hangs around the basket. He scores the not-so-pretty points.”

Ziegler dominated early in the second half, scoring 13 of East’s 18 points, as the lead was 44-36 with 10 minutes remaining in the game. His post basket at the 10:50 mark was his 1,000th point.

“Coach gave it to me pretty good (at halftime),” Ziegler said. “My sister did pretty well the game before us, so I didn’t want to let her get all the glory.”

Alex Knutson had 11 points, including a 3-pointer, and Maker made his fourth 3-pointer, as the Scarlets stayed within 49-43 with eight minutes to play. However, Brett Olson scored inside and hit a 3 to restore an 11-point lead.

“This is a year for growth for these kids, who are learning to play at the varsity level,” West coach Tom Boone said. “We did what we needed to do, now we have to do more of the same with more consistency from more kids.

“I thought we played well, except for that stretch at the end of the half. I was pleased with how we responded to their runs with patience and discipline.”

East finished the game on a 14-4 run, making the final margin more comfortable than the outcome.

Ziegler had 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Hayenga finished with 13 points and six boards. Olson made four 3-pointers for 14 points as only the East starters scored.

For West, Maker had 15 points on five 3-pointers, and Knutson totaled 13. Dan Wills, who didn’t play in the first game against East, had 10 points and five rebounds.

“West played hard, and that made it fun,” Ziegler said.

East (20-4, 13-3 in Big Nine) plays at home Friday against Faribault. The Scarlets (7-16, 4-12) travel to Owatonna the same night.

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