Sometimes legs are a bit tired on the final day of a state tournament, but the Wall Eagles looked like they were ready for the start of track season on Saturday afternoon.

The Eagles set the tone with their speed and athleticism and ran past Freeman 79-67 in the fifth place game of the Class B State Boys’ Basketball Tournament at Wachs Arena.

“It goes back to our defense, and forcing turnovers and shooting transition layups, and knocking down the open shot,” said Wall coach Ryan Kjerstad. “We’ve done it all year. I’m glad that we finally got to experience what we knew we were capable of at the state tournament.”

To put things in perspective, the Flyers shot 58 percent from the field and yet lost by double-digits as Wall harassed Freeman into 25 turnovers on the day.

“We’re just trying to wrap our head around it,” said Freeman coach Lance Friesen, “because we full-court press for about 6-8 weeks, so in 20-30 minutes in practice we’re getting after each other like that. Obviously, they’re really good at it.”

After a tight first quarter, Wall’s lightning fast quickness began to take a toll as the Eagles opened up a 12-point halftime cushion, led by 11 second-quarter points from Teelan Kjerstad.

There were multiple times in the game where Wall scored less than 10 seconds after a Freeman score.

“They’re the quickest team we faced all year. We’ve never faced that type of intensity,” said Freeman’s Oliver Waltner. “At halftime our coach tried to calm us down and take it slow, but they were just too quick.”

The Eagles looked to push the tempo every chance they had, even after Freeman made baskets.

“They get it out so quick, it’s so hard to stop,” Waltner said.

That transition basketball is something the Eagles learned from former standout Josh Mueller, who helps the squad with summer programs.

“We just transition a lot. Josh Mueller taught us a lot and the transition,” said Wall’s Trevor Schulz. “Basically, every single time we get the ball out of the net we just throw it; just find the point guard.”

It’s a style that has served the team well, and Freeman was never able to fully stop it. The Flyers sliced a 20-point deficit down to in half, but was never able to make a serious run at the Eagles.

“I think we’re just very disciplined and we can just stick to our game,” Schulz said. “We just like to push the ball. We play really good defense if can create turnovers, and I just think that’s what made us win the game.”

The speed and quickness not only led to a fast-paced game, it allowed Wall to win nearly every 50-50 ball throughout the contest as the Flyers had a tough time securing those extra possessions.

“Frankly, when you’re playing with passion, that doesn’t happen,” Friesen said. “When you’re ready to go, when you’re in a stance, when you’re full invested, you’re focused. You’ve got to create those breaks. That’s what (Wall) did. They wanted it.”

Tate Sorensen led Freeman with a game-high 27 points. Waltner came off the bench to provide a career-high 10 points and eight rebounds.

“I don’t get a ton of playing time during the season, but David Walter was out with sickness, so I had to step up,” Waltner said. “I knew I had to and I got prepared before the game and I did that.”

Wall placed four players in double figures led by Teelan Kjerstad with 26 and Emmet Dinger 25. Schulz contributed 13, and Jace Mohr followed with 11.

“I’m really proud of our team right now,” Schulz said.

Both squads are young and hope to return to the state tourney in the years ahead.

Freeman, which finished the campaign at 20-6, will return four starters next season.

“It was fun. First time in a big arena like this with a big crowd, good environment,” Waltner said. “Next year for sure we’ll be back. We’re preparing in the off season, so we’ll be here.”

Friesen said it was important that his team experienced success at the tournament, winning at least one game.

“The experience in itself, no matter what place we got, was going to be positive,” Friesen said. “It was important to get one win.”

Wall finished the year with a 19-7 record and returns all but one player for next season.

“We’re happy about the future we have ahead of us,” coach Kjerstad said. “We’re going to enjoy this, but we’re certainly happy with what’s laying in front of us.”

FREEMAN (20-6): Tayden Kerrigan 5 0-0 10, Luke Miller 1 0-0 2, Luke Peters 3 0-1 8, Tate Sorensen 11 3-3 27, Christopher Aasen 2 1-2 6, Oliver Waltner 4 2-4 10, Tannen Auch 1 0-0 2, David Waltner 1 0-0 2. Totals 28-48 6-10 67.

WALL (19-7): Emmet Dinger 10 2-3 25, Jace Mohr 3 5-8 11, Teelan Kjerstad 10 4-4 26, Trevor Schulz 5 0-0 13, Austan Kjerstad 2 0-0 4. Totals 30-58 11-15 79.

Freeman 15 30 47 67

Wall 18 42 63 79

3-point field goals – Peters 2, Sorensen 2, Aasen; Dinger 3, T. Kjerstad 2, Schulz 3. Total fouls – Freeman 17; Wall 9. Rebounds – Freeman 28 (Waltner 9); Wall 24 (Dinger 6). Turnovers – Freeman 25; Wall 14. Assists – Freeman 11 (Sorensen 3); Wall 14 (Mohr 7). Blocked shots – Freeman 1; Wall 1. Steals – Freeman 8 (Sorensen 2, Aasen 2); Wall 14 (Mohr 6, Dinger 4).