Hawks End Lumberjacks Run With 70-46 Win

Dec 22

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

CLOQUET- It had been fifteen straight wins for Cloquet over the Hermantown Hawks boys basketball team, dating all the way back to 2004. In the last couple of seasons, the contests have been close with the Lumberjacks pulling out the win. The streak included playoff victories as well. That streak however, ended Tuesday as Hermantown defeated the Lumberjacks by a final score of 70-46.

The Hawks came out on a mission Tuesday, grabbing an early 11-0 lead in the first two minutes of the game. A quick timeout by Cloquet slowed the Hawks down for a while, but they continued to roll as the Hawks would win their fourth game of the season.

“We have played so many close games over the past few years” Head Coach Michael Pothast told Northland Sports Online, “It took us a little while to heat up, but the guys did a great job tonight.” Pothast added “Corey Anderson was the real catalyst with his defensive pressure, he lead us in the half court traps that we were able to convert into layups.” Pothast went on to say of Anderson, “Easily his best game of the year.”

Anderson not only got it done on the defensive side, but on offense as well as he and Kevin Folman led the Hawks with 18 points each in the Lake Superior Conference win. Cory Kucza added 12 points, Spencer Johnson pitched in with 10, Jake Lesar added 5, Brandon Schimmin, Steve Borndal, and Jeff Shade all had 2 points in the win.

The Lumberjacks were led by Zach Peterson and Dane Kiehn who each had 9 points in the loss. James Counselor added 7, Andy Wappes 6, Dillon Johnson 5, Trent Moe 4, Cody Stevens, Sean Ferrell, and Ben Vuicich all added 2 points in the home loss.

The Lumberjacks fall to 1-4 overall on the season and go to 0-1 in conference play. The Lumberjacks are back in action again on Tuesday and Wednesday when they host the Wood City Classic basketball tournament. Cloquet will face East Central on Tuesday and take on Blake on Wednesday night; the fourth team in the Wood City Classic will be the Esko Eskomos.

The Hawks move to 4-2 on the season, they also improve to 3-0 in the conference standings with the road win. Hermantown will next play in the Hibbing Holiday Tournament on December 28th, 29th, and 30th. The Eight team tournament will have Hermantown facing Mora in the opening round. Other teams playing include Hibbing, Mesabi East, Chisholm, Eveleth-Gilbert, Cambridge, and Duluth Marshall.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com