Spartans have Cards' number again

WILLMAR - The budding rivalry between Rocori and Willmar added another chapter Thursday night as the Spartans took down the Cardinals 55-41 at Willmar High School.

The game was circled on the calendar for many of the Cardinals after they saw their football season come to an end at the hands of the Spartans in October.

Rocori neutralized Willmar's star guard Noah Slagter and played staunch team defense on Thursday, holding the Cardinals to only 19 points in the first half. The Spartans took the 27-19 lead into the half and kept pace in the second half, outscoring the Cardinals 28-22 to close the game.

Derek Thompson was the star of the night with 20 points with 13 rebounds for the Spartans. For Willmar, Noah Streed led the way with 10 points which included a pair of three-pointers.

The Cardinals will play again on Tuesday when they travel to Sartell to take on the Sabres.

Rocori 55, Willmar 41

Rocori 27 28 - 55

Willmar 19 22 - 41

ROCORI - Scoring: Derek Thompson 20, Sam Olson 13, Will Matuska 7, Connor Schoborg 6, Mason Primus 4, William Huls 4, Eli Backes 2 ... 3-point shots: Thompson 1, Olson 2 ... Rebound leader: Thompson 13 ... Assist leader: NA ... Steal leader: Olson 2, Huls 2

WILLMAR - Scoring: Noah Streed 10, Ty Roelofs 9, Noah Slagter 5, Noah Getz 5, Drey Dirksen 5, Dalton Rambow 3, Adam Roux 2, Cameron Murphy 2 ... 3-point shots: Streed 2, Roelofs 1 ... Rebound leader: Slagter 6 ... Assist leader: Slagter 2, Dirksen 2 ... Steal leader: Roelofs 2, Dirksen 2

1/12: Briana Sanchez / Tribune Dalton Rambow, Willmar, attempts to gain possession of the ball from down the court during the game against the Rocori Spartans Thursday night at Willmar.

2/12: Briana Sanchez / Tribune Drey Dirksen, Willmar, attempts to make a shot during the game against the Rocori Spartans Thursday night at Willmar.

3/12: Briana Sanchez / Tribune Dalton Rambow, Willmar, attempts to make a shot during the game against the Rocori Spartans Thursday night at Willmar.

4/12: Briana Sanchez / Tribune Noah Stagter, Willmar, goes for a lay-up during the game against the Rocori Spartans Thursday night at Willmar.

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