UPDATE: In an electrifying display of talent, Willmar Cardinals senior Telilie Lange reached a remarkable career milestone of 1,000 points during Friday’s Central Lakes Conference showdown against the St. Cloud Crush. The game, held at the Big Red Gym, concluded with a staggering score of 79-12 for the Cardinals.
Entering the game just eight points shy of the milestone, Lange quickly scored six points. However, the pressure mounted as she faced nearly six minutes without a basket. The breakthrough finally came midway through the first half with a layup, igniting a wave of celebration among her teammates and fans. “It was a lot of relief; I think the anticipation was getting to me,” Lange shared, reflecting on the emotional moment. “But once I finally got it, I got back into my rhythm.”
With this achievement, Lange becomes the 11th player in the history of the Willmar girls basketball program to reach the coveted 1,000-point mark, the first since Courtney Magnuson accomplished it in 2015. The atmosphere in the gym was electric, with fans waving signs and cheering as Lange celebrated with her family, including her parents, Amy and Ryan, and her sister, Ellary.
Following her milestone, Lange continued to dominate, scoring all 20 points in the first half, contributing to a commanding 54-5 lead by halftime. She also recorded seven steals and three assists during the game. Cardinals head coach Brendan Hedtke noted, “You could see after she got it, she just played free for the rest of the half. It was a little weight off of her shoulders.”
The Cardinals’ triumph was further bolstered by strong performances from teammates. Lyza Gustafson added 13 points and five rebounds, while Maddison Molacek posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Other contributors included Madelyn Swierenga with 12 points and Aliya Reiman with 10 points.
Looking ahead, Willmar will compete in the WildCard Holiday Tournament on December 26-27 at New London-Spicer High School, where they will aim to continue their winning streak and build on Lange’s historic achievement.
This exceptional performance not only highlights Lange’s individual talent but also sets a new benchmark for future athletes at Willmar, inspiring the next generation to strive for excellence on the court.
