Hibbing Boys Come From Behind To Beat Lumberjacks

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Mar 2, 2012

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

CLOQUET- Hibbing Bluejacket Nick Milani gave Hibbing their first lead of the game at 2-0 to start the contest Friday night with Cloquet, and he later scored to give Hibbing their final lead midway through the second half as the Bluejackets came from behind to defeat the Cloquet Lumberjacks by a score of 51-44.

The Lumberjacks jumped out early in the first half lead behind inside play of Adam Laine and Trent Moe, building their way to a 16-7 lead in the first half. Following a Hibbing timeout, the Bluejackets turned up their defensive pressure and became more physical inside as Cloquet started to struggle offensively.

The Bluejackets, with the defensive and physical style cut into the Lumberjacks lead, and by the end of the first half it was a four point 27-23 lead entering the break. Cloquet made it a seven point lead to start the second half when Dillon Johnson buried a 3-pointer, but that was the largest lead of the second half Cloquet would see.

The Bluejackets defense, along with Cloquet suddenly turning in a poor shooting performance saw the Bluejackets fight back and Milani made a basket down low to give Hibbing their first lead since the start of the game. Hibbing controlled the contest down the stretch and connected on eight straight free throws as Hibbing wins their final regular season game of the year.

The Lumberjacks who shot 54% from the floor in the first half could only manage to connect on 37% for the game. Cloquet shot only 6-27 in the second half from the floor. Cloquet also was out-rebounded in the second half by a 28-9 margin after Cloquet had led in rebounds in the first half by a 17-11 margin.

The Lumberjacks were led by Trent Moe and Adam Laine, who both finished with 12 point. Dillon Johnson connected on three log range bombs for 9 points, Zach Peterson chipped in with 5, Sean Ferrell added 4 points and it was Jake Bushey finishing the Lumberjack’s scoring Friday night with 2 points.

Hibbing was led by Nick Milani and Conner Perry, who both finished with 13. Chris Hanson added 11, Jake Erickson added 8, and it was Ryan Schimer who finished with 4.

Hibbing finishes their season 15-11 overall and they will face Zimmerman next Friday night in the opening round of the section 7AAA playoffs at Zimmerman High School.

The Lumberjack’s end their regular season with an overall record of 9-17 and they will face the Hunters next Friday night in sectional play at Duluth Denfeld High School.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com