ML-WR Boys End Carlton’s Win Streak

Jan 14

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

WILLOW RIVER- Thursday night the Carlton basketball team knocked off the Moose Lake-Willow River Rebels in a girl’s matchup. Friday was a different story as the boys took care of the Carlton Bulldogs in a Polar League game by a score of 66-37.

The Rebels jumped out to a 17-0 lead to start the game and that was going to be all the Rebels would need as they went on to win this contest by 29 points. The Rebels used a very balanced scoring attack as twelve players scored for the Rebels in the win at home.

“It was a good win; the guys did exactly what they needed to do.” Head Coach Neil Dickinson stated to Northland Sports Online. “Carlton is a scrappy team and they never quit battling.” Dickinson added “it was nice to have a lot of players see action and get that varsity experience.”

The Rebels led at halftime 30-16, after starting the game on the wrong end of that 17 point run, the Bulldogs did not quit. They fought their way back into the game and had cut the Rebels lead down to seven points. The Rebels closed out the half on a nice run to have the 14 point advantage at the break.

The second half saw the Bulldogs score the first basket of the half but again it was the Rebels who went on to dominate the inside and pick up the Polar League win. The win puts the Rebels atop the Conference standings tied with Esko with two big conference games this next week.

Nick Tokar and Trevor Nummela led the Rebel attack with 12 points each Friday night, Caleb Koecher and Jake Disterhaupt each had 8, Mike Bennett, Adam Johnson, Ryan Adamczak, Taylor Mattison, and Jeff Hansen all had 4 points for the Rebels. Eric Adams led all scorers for the night as he had 14 points in the Bulldogs loss.

The Rebels improve to 11-2 overall on the season. They will play Monday at Two Harbors in the first of seven straight road games. The Rebels will play at Esko on Friday night in a game that could well decide the Polar League Champion.

The Bulldogs fall to 2-10 overall, ending a two game win streak for Carlton. The Bulldogs are back in action on Monday night when they travel to Wrenshall to take on the Wrens in the game for the little brown jug.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com