SOUTH RIDGE — The Ely girls played their final game of the regular season on the road against South Ridge on Friday and tuned up for sectional tournament play with an easy 60-27 win.
Ely trailed in this game for all of 29 seconds, and a hoop by Amelia Penke gave the Wolves a lead they would never relinquish. The Panthers didn’t fade away in the first half, keeping within ten at 27-17 at intermission. But eight minutes into the second half, Ely had built the lead to 39-21, and they didn’t let up, breezing to the 33-point win.
Lydia Shultz led the way for Ely with another big night, scoring 23 while also collecting ten steals and six assists. Ruby Lowe also scored in double-figures with 13 points. Penke led the team in rebounds with eight.
The Wolves received the seventh seed in the Section 7A tournament and drew a home game on Thursday against No. 10 Carlton-Wrenshall. With a win, the Wolves would have advanced to quarterfinal play in Esko on Saturday.