WILLMAR -- For a while, New London-Spicer had more turnovers than field goals. Fortunately for the Wildcats, it didn't matter too much because Duluth Central couldn't find its shooting touch.
In the end, a second-half surge helped the Wildcats upend Duluth Central 60-44 in the semifinals of the Willmar Bremer Bank Holiday Classic Wednesday.
New London-Spicer (5-2) will now face Willmar (6-2) in the final today at approximately 7:45 p.m. It will be the seventh time in 11 seasons the two will meet in the championship. The Wildcats won last year's meeting.
Two minutes after Duluth Central (5-3) took a 2-0 lead, Austen Hadley put the Wildcats ahead 4-3 with a layup. After that the Trojans never found themselves in front again. The Wildcats gave Duluth Central plenty of opportunities, but the Trojans' shooting woes hindered any chance of a comeback.
Skylar Wachter netted 10 of his team-high 17 points in the first half behind an assortment of moves to give NLS a 30-22 lead at halftime.
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Jordan Radel, who dished out six assists, nailed a three-pointer from the left wing seven minutes into the second half to spark a run that eventually saw the Wildcats take an 18-point lead.
"We didn't really play intelligently down the stretch, but we did what we had to do," said NLS coach Matt Cordes. "That's the way we've been this year, trying to figure out how to get a win. Our wins are not always pretty."
NLS 60, Duluth Central 44
Duluth Central (5-3) 22 22 -- 44
NL-Spicer (5-2) 30 30 -- 60
DULUTH CENTRAL - 16-50 FG (4-8 3 pt); 9-17 FT; 19 rebounds; 17 fouls ... Scoring: Montclair Chapman 2, Trevon Taylor 24, Tom Schneuer 3, Vince Ohaju 2, Andy Stukel 2, Robb Correia 11 ... 3-point shots: Taylor 2, Schneuer 1 ... Rebound leaders: Correia 5, Taylor 4 ... Assist leaders: none ... Steal leaders: Correia 2, Taylor 2
NEW LONDON-SPICER - 24-42 FG (4-9 3 pt); 8-15 FT; 24 rebounds; 15 fouls ... Scoring: Austen Hadley 7, Sam Steffl 2, Jackson Wright 10, Jordan Radel 9, Wade Elton 2, Skylar Wachter 17, Jacob Reiter 4, Kolt Therkilsen 2, Wade Powers 7 ... 3-point shots: Wright 2, Radel 1, Wachter 1 ... Rebound leaders: Wachter 6, Powers 4 ... Assist leaders: Radel 6, Wachter 4 ... Steal leaders: Radel 3, Wright 2
