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Playing six games each Wednesday night against two different opponents, Paynesville went 18-6 in the regular season and earned the top seed in its region with Ortonville, Swanville, and West Central Area.

The entire league contained 20 high schools, with Paynesville playing Ashby, Ortonville (twice), Royalton, St. John's Prep (twice), Swanville, and West Central Area. The league was highly competitive, said coach Phil Carlson.

In the regional playoffs, Paynesville defeated Swanville 56-32 and then West Central Area 42-41 on last-second free throws by Cory Nietfeld.

In the championship semifinals and finals at Perham, Paynesville lost to New York Mills 48-36. (New York Mills and Perham played for the title while Paynesville tied with Royalton for third place.)

"Thanks to all those players who partipated and made this an excellent experience," said Carlson.

The following players participated in the summer league for Paynesville: Mark Andrie, Sam Bayer, Aaron Braun, Harrison Fangmeier, Trent Hansen, Ted Hoffman, Mitchell Marlow, Matt Mergen, Ben Moser, Cory Nietfeld, Nathan Nietfeld, Colin Spooner, Derek Stanger, Alex Svejkovsky, Elliott Wall, and Jamison Wall. Braun, said Carlson, deserved a special thanks for making it to every summer league game.

If your son did not participate this summer, we will be doing this again next summer on Wednesday nights, said Carlson. Mark your calendars, he added.