sively and defensively in the second quarter and let them get back into the game."
• It was a three-point battle to start out the third quarter with the Pheasants making two and Groton one as the lead was trimmed to two, 32-30. Another three-pointer by the Pheasants late in the quarter made it a one-point game, 38-37, but Groton powered in to straight baskets to lead, 42-37, at the end of the third quarter.
• Groton was not going to be denied the win as the Tigers held an 18-point lead, 58-40, and went on to win, 58-43.
• Groton Area had a balanced scoring attack from the big three--Reilly Ell with 16, Kasey Kurtz with 15 and Mason Madsen with 14. Adding to the tally were Wyatt Lone with six, Spencer Knecht four and Lucas Sternhagen three.  Groton showed off its depth on the bench, but Kjellsen said it can even go deeper. "When we get Kyler Ell back we'll be able to go a little deeper," he said.
• Groton, now 3-0, will travel to Oakes on Saturday. "I don't know much about Oakes," Kjellsen said. "They had a really young team last year so they should be much improved."
• Groton made 49 percent of its field