Hermantown Boys Remain Perfect With Big Win

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Dec 16, 2011

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

The Hermantown boys basketball team remained perfect Friday night as the Hawks defeated the Vikings

of North Branch by a score of 83-53 at Hermantown High School. The Hawks continued to use their pressure defense and strong inside-outside game to take care of the Vikings by 50 points on Friday night.

“This was by far out best defensive effort of the season.” Head Coach Michael Pothast told Northland Sports Online. “It was nice to see us finally pressuring the ball and contesting shots,” Pothast added “we have been looking for all season for this on defense.” The Vikings 33 points were the fewest the Hawks have allowed all season.

The Hawks jumped out to a first half 55-16 lead and they outscored the Vikings again in the second half 28-17 for the 50 point win. The Hawks had three players in double figures and Spencer Johnson proved to be big as he nailed down a game high 26 points for the Hawks in the victory at home.

“Offensively Spencer Johnson was just great against their zone on the inside.” Coach Pothast added, “He really controlled the paint for us.” Pothast also stated “Corey Anderson, as usual, he was great on defense and really made his offense off his defense.” Anderson followed Johnson with 23 points in the win.

Following Johnson and Anderson, it was Cade Zacharias scoring 10 points, Justin Brendon added 8, Kevin Folman chipped in with 7, Kole Zuidmulder finished with 6 points, and Alex Comstock added 2 points and it was Parker Anderson rounding out the Hermantown scoring as he finished with 1 point on the night. The Hawks shot 23 free throws in the victory Friday night and they connected on 14 of them.

The Vikings were paced by Cody Knobbe who finished with 8 points on the night. Peter Kosovic put in 7, Tyler Knobbe added 5, Brandon Thauwald chipped in with 5, Brandon Thauwald added 4, Matt Blomquist finished with 3, Riley Jacobson and Matt Marin both finished with 2 points on the night.

The Hawks improve to 4-0 on the season and they are in action on Tuesday night when they will host the Cloquet Lumberjacks in a Lake Superior Conference battle. The Vikings fall to 1-3 on the season and they will be back in action again Tuesday when they host Concordia Academy of Roseville. The Vikings will host the Beacons at home Tuesday.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com