Prep Girls Basketball: Menahga throttles Park Rapids Area in opener, 73-35

Park Rapids, Minn.—Tarah Cleveland lit up Park Rapids Area for 28 points as Menahga throttled the Panthers 73-35 during Thursday’s season-opening girls basketball game for both teams.

The Lady Braves used a 17-0 run in the first half to take a 39-19 lead at the break.

For the game, Menahga shot 35 percent (19 for 54) from the floor, but converted 29 of 40 free-throws. In all, 12 Lady Braves players ended up contributed in the scoring column.

Cleveland went 13 for 16 at the charity stripe and also registered eight steals and four assists during the victory. Arielle Pihlaja was the only other Menahga player to reach double figures with 12 points. She also added four rebounds and five steals. Alicia Ahlf had eight points and nine rebounds.

Defensively, Menahga forced the Panthers into 30 turnovers, which led to easy transition baskets. Beth Tormanen led the Lady Braves in steals with nine.

Park Rapids Area was led by sophomore Charity Ridlon’s team-high nine points. Megan Grimes added seven points and Hope Johnson five for the Panthers.

Menahga (1-0) travels to Hill City at 7:30 p.m. Friday

Menahga at Park Rapids Area on November 29
Lady Braves 73, Panthers 35
Menahga 39 34—73
Park Rapids Area 19 16—35
Menahga
Hannah Allebach 2, Shelby Pihlaja 5, Beth Tormanen 5, Arielle Pihlaja 12, Bradi Carlson 4, Morgan Clements 2, Shannon Skoog 2, Jenny Skoog 2, Tarah Cleveland 28, Maria Tormanen 1, Alicia Ahlf 8, Patrica Haataja 2
Park Rapids Area
Justine Rittgers 2, Hope Johnson 5, Megan Grimes 7, Caitlan Isaacson 2, Katie Klein 2, Amber Booge 2, Tori Lauderbaugh 4, Charity Ridlon 9, Katelyn Hilmanowski 2