Esko Wins A Squeeker at Wood City Classic

Wes Vork-NSO

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Dec 28

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

Jared Harms made two free throws with 26 seconds remaining and Blake missed a shot at the buzzer in the game against the Blake Bears to come from behind and win 48-47. The win keeps the Eskomos unbeaten on the season as they pick up their sixth straight win to start the season as they move into Wednesday’s game against East Central in the Wood City classic.

The Eskomos led from the opening tip of the game, but the lead was short lived as the Blake Bears came charging back and would take an eight point 30-22 lead at halftime. Esko, who initially led 5-4, saw the Bears go on a 22-9 run to take a thirteen point lead with a little less than three minutes remaining in the half. Jackson Lindquist nailed a three-pointer before the break to cut the Blake lead to eight points.

The second half saw the Eskomos fight their way back into the game as Adam Eskuri and Jake Stainbrook continued to hit shots that helped Esko cut the Bears lead down. Several Blake Turnovers and a steal by Lindquist, which he converted into a lay-up, gave the Eskomos their first lead since early in the first half as Esko led by one with four minutes remaining.

With the Eskomos leading 44-43 Blake’s Paul Blake nailed a jump shot to give the Bears a one point lead again at 45-44. An Adam Eskuri basket gave Esko the lead back with 51 seconds remaining. Blake again nailed a jump shot to give the Bears a one point 47-46 lead. Stainbrook would then fire up a three-pointer which missed and Harms rebounded, on the put back he was fouled and Harms converted both free-throws for the Eskomos win.

Adam Eskuri led all scorers with 14 points on the night for Esko. Stainbrook added 13 points, Harms and Lindquist ended with 8 points each on the night, and Andrew Wendland closed out the Esko scoring with 5 points. Paul Blake and Benton Graham led the Bears in scoring, ending with 11 points apiece in the loss.

The Eskomos move to 6-0 on the season and will face East Central at 3:00 pm on Wednesday afternoon at the Cloquet Middle School. The Bears fall to 4-3 overall on the season and will face the tournament host Cloquet Lumberjacks at 7:00 pm Wednesday night.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com