Esko Wins Coaches Classic Tournament

Wes Vork-NSO

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Dec 17, 2011

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

The Esko Eskomos once again captured the Esko Coaches Classic basketball tournament at Esko High School over the weekend. The 32nd annual event was won by the Eskomos as they defeated the Hermantown Hawks in the championship game by a score of 44-34.

The Eskomos who reached the championship game had defeated Warroad 59-42 on Friday night; came in Saturday and picked up the 10 point win. Hermantown on Friday night defeated South Ridge 68-43 to advance to the championship game.

The Panthers entered the tournament on Friday as a last minute replacement for Mora, who was originally scheduled but were unable to play in the tournament due to a school tragedy.

With South Ridge unable to play both nights of the tournament, Northwood’s school of Orr Minnesota was the replacement on Saturday and played Warroad in the first game on Saturday afternoon and the Grizzles remained perfect on the season as they defeated Warroad by a score of 70-35.

The Eskomos and the Hawks battled in the first half with the Eskomos holding a four point 25-21 lead at halftime. The first half saw both teams struggling to make runs against the other; the largest lead in the first half was Esko by eight at the 10-2 point of the first half.

The Eskomos started the second half on a 13-3 run and would hold on to a lead from between eight and 15 points throughout the second half. Savanna Trapp had another huge game as she scored 23 points to go along with 5 rebounds and 8 blocked shots. Her totals for the tournament were 37 points, 14 rebounds and 11 blocked shots all of which made Trapp the Coaches Classic MVP.

Following Trapp’s 23 points Saturday, it was Brooke Schramm who had a great all around game, adding 8 points to go with 4 assists and 4 rebounds. Marisa Shady finished with 6, Kallyn Knutson chipped in with 3, Steph Bandelin and Megan Reuer each added 2 in the Eskomos win Saturday.

The Hawks were led by Carmen Bergstedt who finished with 9 points, Katie Thun, Melissa Madison, and Rachel Hoium all ended with 7 points. Nicole Kucza and Caitlin Windus both ended the Hawks scoring with 2 points each.

Selected to the all-tournament team along with the tournament MVP Trapp was: Marisa Shady and Brooke Schramm from Esko, and Katie Thun and Rachel Hoium of Hermantown. Shady and Trapp were also on the 2010 all tournament team.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com