Minnewaukan-Leeds took a step closer to another Region 4 Tournament berth. The No. 2 Lions defeated No. 7 St. John 54-28 in the first round of the District 8 girls basketball tournament in Cando on Feb. 11.

M-L outscored the Woodchucks 20-8 in the opening half and then erupted for 27 points in the third quarter to put the game away.

Allison Manley led the Lions with 16 points and Dorothia Santos added 14.

The Lions will face No. 3 Rolla-Rock Lake in the semifinal round on Feb. 12. St. John dropped into a loser-out game with No. 6 Rolette-Wolford.