February 2025
Pushing himself pushed Brennan Kern past 1,000 points
St. James Area boys basketball has surprised several teams during the backside of their 2024-25 schedule, recently knocking off a 15-2 Cedar Mountain team. Brennan Kern is the team’s leading scorer and early in that February 3rd game he achieved the distinction of scoring his 1,000th point.
Wrestling season wraps up for SJM girls
Girl wrestlers from dozens of schools descended upon Redwood Valley High School for the combined state-qualifier for Sections 3 and 4 on February 7th and 8th. Hazly Lopez-Baltazar recorded the best finish, placing 4th at 100 pounds.
Malmgren doubles 1,000 rebound club
Madelyn Malmgren smashed the 1,000 rebound barrier against Cleveland on February 6th, pulling down a career-high 22 boards. The achievement was first reached in 2005 by Leah Kern and remained exclusive before Malmgren’s entrance to the club.
SJM wrestlers get big win over Worthington
St. James-Madelia avenged an earlier loss to Worthington in convincing fashion on February 6th with a 42-30 decision. The triangular at Worthington included a loss to a tough Adrian team.
Rally falls short At Pipestone
The Saints made up ground in the final half but eventually dropped a 76-71 Big South Conference game at Pipestone on February 7th. Wyatt Haler continued his hot shooting, leading St. James Area with 22 points with Brennan Kern and John Boelke adding 15 points each.
Saints win over Arrows makes it 10 straight
Overturning a one-point halftime lead for Pipestone, St. James sealed the top end of a 10-game winning streak with the 66-53 win at Pipestone on February 7th. Reese Malmgren’s 18 points was tops for St. James Area as she made all six free throws attempts and both shots from three point land.
Balanced Saints offense defeats Clippers
The St. James Area boys basketball team finished off a home doubleheader sweep of Cleveland on February 6th. Wyatt Haler led a quartet of double-figure scorers that included Brennan Kern, John Boelke, and Danon Sawatzky.
Saints cut Clippers down to size
The St. James Area girls basketball team followed a 18-point, 22 rebound effort by Madelyn Malmgren to a 78-50 victory over Cleveland on February 6th. Jacey and Journey Swanson, along with Laila Romsdahl, all hit double figures and Malmgren broke the 1,000 rebound mark during the contest.
Saintettes complete season finale at Montevideo
The St. James Area danceline competed with ten other teams for state-qualifying spots at the Section 3A Meet in Montevideo on February 8th. The host school, along with Yellow Medicine East, and Lac qui Parle Valley/Dawson-Boyd grabbed the tickets to state, ending a successful season for the Saintettes.