DAWSON — Gunner Liebl put together a well-rounded and efficient performance for the No. 2 Dawson-Boyd boys basketball team as the Blackjacks opened their season with a dominant 88-54 win over Russell-Tyler-Ruthton on Tuesday night.

Liebl’s 25 points were a game-high, coming on efficient 11 of 13 shooting from the field and perfect 2 of 2 shooting from long range. His six assists also tied Brayson Boike for a team-high and his two steals tied him with Kade Solem, Jaxton Hastad and Boike.

Boike posted a double-double in the win, grabbing a game-high 13 total rebounds with three offensive boards as well as 20 points. He went 8 of 22 from the field and 3 of 5 from beyond the arc.

Drew Hjelmeland held down the defensive interior, tying Hastad with a team-high three blocks while Mason Bothun added another two. Hjelmeland also grabbed six rebounds and scored 17 points on 7 of 13 from the field with a 3-pointer.

Chase Christianson put together a valiant effort in the loss for RTR, scoring 19 points on 7 of 14 shooting from the field and 3 of 6 from 3-point range. His five rebounds also trailed only Juhl Drake’s six. 

Sean Griesse and Luke Schreurs also contributed 15 and 12 points respectively, with Griesse also making an impact on the defensive end with four steals, but no other Knights scored more than 4 points.

Hastad and Carson Stratmoen each contributed an additional 10 points for Dawson-Boyd.

The Dawson-Boyd Blackjacks (1-0) will have a tough early-season challenge on Saturday when they take on the top-ranked Cherry Tigers (1-0) in a potential Class A state championship preview at the Edina Community Center at 1:45 p.m. 

The Tigers graduated seven seniors from last year’s state championship run — most notably Isaac Asuma, who currently averages 5.8 points and 3.7 rebounds per game as a freshman at the University of Minnesota — but are again ranked as the state’s top team.

Russell-Tyler-Ruthton (0-1) will host Westbrook-Walnut Grove (0-0) for its home opener on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

TMB 80, Adrian-Ellsworth 45

ADRIAN — Alex Munson finished an assist shy of a triple-double on Tuesday night as the Tracy-Milroy-Balaton boys basketball team rolled over the Adrian-Ellsworth Dragons for a lopsided 80-45 win.

Munson’s 25 points on 10 of 22 shooting were a game-high, just ahead of teammate Trevor Smith’s 23 points on 9 of 15 shooting. Munson also dished out nine assists with one turnover while grabbing 13 total rebounds and two offensive rebounds.

As a team, TMB outrebounded Adrian/Ellsworth 39-31, including a 13-11 advantage on the offensive boards. Smith led TMB’s offensive rebounding efforts with three of his seven total rebounds coming on the offensive glass.

Smith and Munson each knocked down three 3-pointers, with Smith’s coming on six attempts and Munson’s on 11. As a team, TMB shot 32% on 25 attempts from beyond the arc while Adrian/Ellsworth shot 20% on 20 attempts.

Smith grabbed a team-high three steals to lead TMB to a 10-21 advantage in the turnover battle and tied Noah Knakmuhs for second on the team with five assists.

Munson accounted for TMB’s lone block of the game.

Aidan Tweet led the Dragons with 25 points on 10 of 19 shooting from the field while Kyler Kunkel dished out five assists for Adrian/Ellsworth.

Tracy-Milroy-Balaton (3-0) will host Minneota (0-0) for its home opener on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Edgerton 86, Canby 45

EDGERTON — The Canby boys basketball team couldn’t find its offensive rhythm on Tuesday night as the Lancers lost 86-45 to Edgerton.

Owen Peterson led the Lancers with 11 points on 4 of 10 shooting while Jack Abrahamson contributed another 9 points. Peterson also registered the Lancers’ lone block of the game.

Cayden peterson grabbed a team-leading seven rebounds while Will Abrahamson led the team with four offensive boards. Anderson also tied Casey Hoiland and Jace Rangaard with 7 points and dished out a team-high three assists.

Canby (0-2) will host next host Yellow Medicine East (0-1) on Friday at 7:15 p.m.

ACGC 76, YME 63

GROVE CITY — Despite Wakinyan GreyCloud’s team-high 22 points and Jacob Peterson’s 20-piece, the Yellow Medicine East Sting fell to Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City 76-63 in its season opener. 

GreyCloud shot 3-for-7 from the 3-point line, while Peterson made a pair himself in going 2-for-7. 

Overall, YME shot 36% from the field and 24% from the three. 

Gunnar Fagen had a team-high four rebounds, while GreyCloud also led with seven assists and six steals. 

Gavin Torvik had two blocks on the night as well. 

Yellow Medicine East will remain on the road to start the season when it takes on Canby (0-2) on Friday at 7:15 p.m.