Boys Basketball: West Subsection 5A Pigtail: Pihlaja, Aho help Menahga bombard Verndale 87-65

Derek Pihlaja posted a game-high 28 points and Marlin Aho added 27 to help sixth-seeded Menahga bombard the No. 11 Verndale Pirates 87-65 in the West Subsection 5A pigtail Monday night.

Menahga shot 52 percent (26-for-50) from the floor, connected 55 percent (six-for-11) from outside and converted 17-of-33 (52 percent) from the charity stripe to advance to Thursday’s first-round game with No. 3 Nevis.

Pihlaja had three of the Braves’ six treys and Aho also collected a team-high eight boards in the victory.

Menahga raced to a 44-26 lead at halftime. Tom Gruchow also posted double figures for the Braves with 17 points.

Verndale was led by Caleb Burczyk with 21 points. Zack Meidinger added 16 for the Pirates as they end the season 2-24. The Pirates also hit six treys in the loss, with Meidinger nailing three.

Menahga (15-10) heads to Nevis at 7 p.m. Thursday.

West Subsection 5A Pigtail
No. 6 Menahga vs. No. 11 Verndale on March 8
Braves 87, Pirates 65
Verndale 26 39—67
Menahga 44 43—87
Menahga—Derek Pihlaja 28, Marlin Aho 27, Tom Gruchow 17, Ben Skoog 6, Sean Dormanen 5, Brandon Junes 2, Tanner Schwartz 1, Markus Tolkkinen 1.
Verndale—Caleb Burczyk 20, Zack Meidinger 16, Dustin Motchenbacher 9, Dallas Ehrmantraut 6.