Closing time: Superlarks knocked off by Goodhue in coach Queensland’s final game
Published 9:27 pm Thursday, March 6, 2025
Grand Meadow’s Lauren Queensland controls the ball against Grand Meadow during the first half of the Section 1A title game Thursday night in Mayo Civic Center. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Grand Meadow’s Naomi Warmka drives against Goodhue during the first half of the Section 1A title game Thursday night in Mayo Civic Center. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Grand Meadow’s Aspen Kolling drives against Goodhue’s Mackenzie Lodermeier during the first half of the Section 1A title game Thursday night in Mayo Civic Center. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Grand Meadow’s Lauren Queensland drives against Goodhue’s Natalie Thomforde during the first half of the Section 1A title game Thursday night in Mayo Civic Center. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Grand Meadow’s Gracie Foster drives against Goodhue’s Avy Agenten during the first half of the Section 1A title game Thursday night in Mayo Civic Center. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Grand Meadow’s Rylee Schaufler brings the ball up the court against Goodhue during the first half of the Section 1A title game Thursday night in Mayo Civic Center. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Grand Meadow’s Aspen Kolling controls the ball at the top of the key against Goodhue’s Aubrey Christianson during the first half of the Section 1A title game Thursday night in Mayo Civic Center. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Grand Meadow’s Rylee Schaufler pressures Goodhue’s Natalie Thomforde during the first half of the Section 1A title game Thursday night in Mayo Civic Center. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Grand Meadow’s Naomi Warmka drives off the wing against Goodhue during the first half of the Section 1A title game Thursday night in Mayo Civic Center. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Grand Meadow’s Gracie Foster dumps a pass over Goodhue’s Aubrey Christianson during the first half of the Section 1A title game Thursday night in Mayo Civic Center. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Grand Meadow head coach Ryan Queensland hugs his daughter Lauren as she comes off the court for the last time toward the end of the Super Larks loss in the Section 1A championship against Goodhue Thursday night at May Civic Center. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
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ROCHESTER – The No. 3 seeded Grand Meadow girls basketball team left it all out on the floor, but they couldn’t keep pace with top-seeded Goodhue in a 46-27 loss in the Section 1A title game in Mayo Civic Center Thursday.
After trailing by as many as 16, GM staged a late comeback as Aspen Kolling knocked down a three-pointer to cut the lead to 33-23 with 7:32 left in the game. Goodhue (24-5 overall) had an answer when Kendyl Lodermeier swished a three to make it 36-23. Lodermeier added an inside finish to push it to 41-23 with 4:12 left.
The game was the final contest for GM head coach Ryan Queensland at the helm.
“I don’t know if it’s really sunk in; there are so many emotions with this team and I’m so proud of this team and what they’ve accomplished all year long,” he said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever coached a team that has come so far in one year. We exceeded so many people’s expectations. Nobody gave us a shot to get here, and nobody gave us a shot to even hang with (Goodhue). They’re a good team and they’re a deep team. All year, our girls wanted to be the hardest working team on the floor and whatever happens, happens. They did that tonight.”
Lauren Queensland finished with 17 points and four rebounds for GM (25-3 overall), which had won 17 games in a row.
Every possession was a challenge for GM as Goodhue brought constant ball pressure. Still, Queensland and the Larks were able to limit turnovers.
“They’re a good team. They bring lots of pressure and they play tight man defense,” Lauren said. “They’re very disciplined and they get out on you. They’re a handsy team in a good way, and they’re not dirty. They’re a very scrappy team.”
The Superlarks grabbed an early 4-3 lead when Gracie Foster hit two free throws, but GM didn’t score for the next 10 minutes as the Wildcats used a 13-0 run to go up 16-4.
“It’s darn near impossible to replicate what Goodhue does when we’re in practice, but our girls gave us 100 percent effort,” Ryan said. “Our girls don’t get to go very deep, but they did a good job of battling through fatigue for the most part.”
Ryan led the Superlarks to three Section 1A title game appearances in his tenure and he surpassed 200 career wins. GM won at least 20 games in three of the last four seasons.
Lauren, who is one of three of Ryan’s daughters to play for him, has been alongside for the start of her dad’s journey.
“He’s done an insane amount. The program has grown with all of the time he’s put in,” Lauren said. “I just remember being a little girl when my oldest sister Riley was just starting. I’m very grateful for all of the time and work he’s put in. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him and the program wouldn’t be where it is without him. I think we proved a lot of people wrong this year and we showed what we can do while working together.”
GM 12 – 27
Goodhue 23 – 46
GM scoring: Lauren Queensland, 17; Gracie Foster, 4; Naomi Warmka, 3; Aspen Kolling, 3
Goodhue scoring: Ava Wallaker, 16; Kendyl Lodermeier, 11; Aubrey Christianson, 5; Natalie Thomforde, 4; Ashlee Barton, 4; Ashlee Barton, 4; Ruby Schafer, 4; Lola Christianson, 2
