Cloquet Boys Pick Up First Win In Impressive Fashion

Wes Vork-NSO

Click here for the complete game box score

Please check back for our complete photo gallery

Dec 16, 2011

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

CLOQUET- With two games gone in the 2011-2012 season, the Cloquet Lumberjacks, who had played tough in their first two games were seeking their first win of the season and they did just that as the Lumberjacks defeated the Proctor Rails 92-63. The Lumberjacks produced their highest point total in several years as they finished with the 29 point win.

The first half saw the Jacks jump out to a 17 point first half lead at 46-29. Cloquet used balanced scoring and a strong inside presence from Adam Laine, and it was a good first half for the Lumberjacks. Laine scored 18 first half points and Zack Peterson dialed it in from downtown connecting on three 3-pointers in the first half.

Cloquet continued to add to their lead in the second half as they built a 34 point lead at one point. Cloquet finished with all five starters in double figures and the Lumberjacks out rebounded the Rails by a margin of 41-24. The Lumberjacks also shot 57% from the field compared to 37 % for Proctor.

“We have played some good teams pretty tough so far this season, and we were hoping to pick up the win,” Head Coach Steve Battaglia told Northland Sports Online. “The three seniors have been playing well for us and our two sophomores have been playing like seniors so far this season.” Battaglia added, “If we can cut down on our mental mistakes we can play with anybody.”

Laine finished with 25 points on the night, Trent Moe went off for 15, while Peterson added 13, Dillon Johnson and Sean Ferrell both added 12 in the Lumberjacks victory. Maxx Brenner added 4, Erik Swanson scored 3 points, and Tanner Louhela, Gavin Takkunen, James Councillor, and Nate Weets all finished with 2 points.

The Rails were led by Kaz Anderson, who finished with a game high 28 points for the Rails. Jacob White chipped in with 11, Tyler Schubert added 6, Charles Burns and Justin Radelat each added 4 points, while Brett Pinney knocked in 3. Dakota Thorstenson, Travis Carlson, and Alex Greene all finished with 2 points, and it was Jordan Carey closing the Rails scoring with 1 point on the night.

Cloquet improve to 1-2 on the season and they have a huge conference match-up Tuesday night at Hermantown. The Rails fall to 1-3 on the season and they will play at Greenway next Wednesday night.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com