Esko Girls Remain Perfect With Win Over Grand Rapids

Wes Vork-NSO

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Jan 31

Wes Vork-NSO

ESKO – For the Esko girls basketball team, the second half of the season seems to produce test after test. One game after defeating the #1 ranked Barnum Bombers they faced the Class AAA perennial power Grand Rapids Thunderhawks. Esko passed this test with flying colors also, defeating the Thunderhawks by a score of 62-48 at home on Monday evening.

The first half was a tale of two runs, with the Eskomos coming out of the gate quickly, racking up a 12-0 lead which they extended to a 19-4 margin. After a timeout, Grand Rapids made some adjustments while Esko went through a time where the shots just wouldn’t fall. This allowed the Thunderhawks to make a 14-0 run of their own and cut the lead to a 19-18 margin. Another mini-run by Esko closed out the first half with the Eskomos up 29-24 at the break.

”They (Grand Rapids) started out in a zone, but switched to a man to man defense after we hit some quick shots.” Esko Head Coach Scott Antonutti explained. “Our shooting went a little cold for a while also.” He added.

In the second half the Eskomos resorted to what they do best and that is defense, scoring the first eight points of the half while not allowing the Thunderhawks a point for the first 2:34 of the half. Although the Thunderhawks worked hard at denying the pass into the post, Savannah Trapp had a huge game, leading all scorers with 22 points on the evening. Trapp’s inside game along with a pressure defense allowed Esko to control the half, extending its lead to as much as 25 points before settling in for the 62-48 win.

With a couple of one loss teams on the schedule before seasons end, the experience of a very physical game against Grand Rapids should serve the Eskomos well. “With all of the fans, the Barnum game certainly had a tournament atmosphere. But the physical aspect of this game created a real tournament feel also.” Coach Antonutti commented. Although there are several tough games remaining, a couple standout, including road trips to Pequot Lakes on February 7 and Braham on February 17. Both teams have only one loss each on the season.

In addition to leading all scorers with 22 points, Trapp added 6 blocks and 6 rebounds. Joining her in double figures was Keely Deadrick with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Marisa Shady scored 8 points and picked up 9 assists while running the offense. Lydia Pelletier scored 6, Alyson Glumac 5, and Bailey Mudek ended with 3 points. Every Eskomo scorer except Trapp had at least one three pointer.

Jessi Corrick was the only Grand Rapids player to reach double figures with 18 points. In a highlight for the Thunderhawks, Corrick hit 1000 career points on a difficult, contested shot with only 4.9 seconds remaining in the game. NSO would like to congratulate Corrick on this accomplishment.

With the win, Esko is a perfect 17-0 on the season. They will be back in action on Thursday when they travel to Cromwell to take on the Cardinals.

Wes Vork can be reached at wes@northlandsportsonline.com