MID-AIR TIE-UP — Martin County West’s Liv Borchardt (11) and Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman/Martin Luther’s Olivia Mattson (21) each cling to the long rebound during Valley action Thursday night in Northrop. The Mavericks’ Thea Anderson (second from left), along with the Jaguars’ Brooke Grathwohl (far left), Mallery Geistfeld (12) and Katelyn Diegnau, watch the play. (Photo by Greg Abel)

NORTHROP — Jaguars post player Katelyn Diegnau scored a game-high 26 points to lead Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman/Martin Luther to a 59-40 Valley Conference basketball victory over the Martin County West Mavericks on Thursday night in Northrop.

The Jaguars completed a season sweep after defeating the Mavericks 54-45 in their previous matchup Dec. 14.

“It’s always good to get a win no matter what,” Jaguars head coach TJ Pytleski said.

Although the scoring would be distributed fairly evenly between the two teams in the first half, with the Jaguars claiming a 28-25 lead, the second half would be a different story as the home team outscored the Mavericks 31-15.

“We changed a couple things on defense (in the second half),” Pytleski said. “We were able to work the ball down low to Kate (Diegnau) and she did a good job.

“I thought our offense was a lot better in the second half with less turnovers.”

Along with setting the game-high point total, Diegnau collected five rebounds.

McKenna Benck scored 11 points for the Jaguars on the strength of two 3s, while Bethany Petrowiak came off the bench to contribute 11 points. Mallery Geistfeld grabbed a game-best seven rebounds for the Jaguars.

Emily Anderson scored 15 points for the second straight game to top MCW, going 5 of 5 from beyond the 3-point arc. Anderson also pulled down six rebounds.

“She shot well and her teammates were able to get her the ball in a position to score,” MCW coach Michael Slaba said of Anderson’s performance.

The Mavericks (5-9) travel to Blue Earth Area on Monday, while the Jaguars (9-7) host Madelia on Monday in Granada.

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Boys Basketball

New Ulm 71, Blue Earth Area 55 — Colton Benson and Charlie Osborne combined for 40 points to steer the Eagles to a Big South win over the Bucs on Thursday night in Blue Earth.

Benson netted a game-high 21 points, while Osborne produced 19 points, seven assists and five steals.

Ashton Lloyd produced a double-double performance of 16 points and 10 rebounds to complement three blocks for BEA.

Waylen Douglas tossed in 11 points, Gabriel Torres generated eight points and five assists, while Jack Norman and Abram Kokos each chipped in eight points for the Bucs.

Blue Earth Area (6-7) plays host to Windom Area at 2 p.m. Saturday in Blue Earth.