Lady Jays outlast St. James on Senior Night

It was Senior Night for the Waseca High School girls' basketball team.

They were appropriately honored.

The Bluejays battled St. James to the finish and — thanks in no small part to the seniors — emerged victorious 52-47 in a Big South Conference game at Waseca Friday, Feb. 10.

"It was great to get a win on Senior night, and even better against a good team," said Waseca coach Joan Conway. "I was proud of our defensive effort against a team that really does score a lot of points."

The Bluejays, who won their pod in the Big South East at 5-1, bettered their record to 14-7 overall and 6-4 in the conference. The Saints dropped to 12-10 overall and 5-8 in the Big South.

The game was back and forth all night, with many lead changes. It was 22-22 at halftime.

The Bluejays made 17 of 39 two-point field goal attempts and 5 of 20 threes, compated to 14-for-34 and 5-for-16 for the Saints. Waseca outrebounded St. James 37-33 and committed 16 turnovers to the visitors' 19. St. James blocked five shots.

Senior Sam Azure led the Bluejays in scoring with 16 points, adding 2 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. Avery Madsen, a 6-foot senior forward, had a big night with 13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal.

Another senior, Kloe Wadd, put up 12 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 2 blocks.

Others: Mia Kanewischer 6P, 6R, 1A, 1S; Megan Kanewischer 5P, 6R, 3A; Callie Dufault 2R, 2S; Addie Wiesler 2A.

St. James' Madelyn Malkmgren led all scorers with 17.

Megan Kanewischer is a senior, as is the Bluejays' Ella Dufault.

After hosting Belle Plaine Thursday, Feb. 16, the Bluejays travel to Windom Saturday for the Big South Final Four against St. Peter or Marshall.