Hawks Play Grand Rapids Tight But Fall In Section Semi-Finals

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Mar 13, 2012

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

The Hermantown Hawks battled the four time defending Section 7AAA champion Grand Rapids Thunderhawks tooth and nail for one half Tuesday night, but in the end it was the Thunderhawks defeating Hermantown 68-47 and advancing to the section finals for the fifth consecutive season.

Hermantown and Grand Rapids battled very tightly in the first half, with neither team being able to create a situation where they could look at making a huge run. Head Coach Michael Pothast told Northland Sports Online “Our first half was intense and competitive and we went in only down one.” The Hawks trailed Grand Rapids 31-30 at the break.

The second half started the same way as the first half did, with both teams battling and fighting for control. Pothast mentioned “In the second half, it was a 6 point game with 10:25 left and then we went cold.” The Hawks could only score 17 second half points whereas the Thunderhawks scored 37 second half points.

“It was a great game for about three quarters of it.” Pothast added. When Hermantown went cold Coach Pothast stated, “Our guys executed the game plan to perfectly on both ends of the floor, then fatigue set in and their defense took over.” Grand Rapids hit ten 3-pointers and the second half saw the Thunderhawks pull away and move into the section championship game.

The Hawks were led by Spencer Johnson who finished with 16 points, Kole Zuidmulder and Corey Anderson each scored 11, Kevin Folman added 6, Justin Brendon ended the Hawks scoring with 3 points as the Hawks season ends with a 18-10 overall.

Grand Rapids was led by Austin Pohlen with 24 points, Mark Laughlin scored 15 points with all of those coming on three point baskets, Alex Illikainen added 10, while Mike Spoden finished with 9, Reed Bender scored 7, and rounding out the Thunderhawks scoring was AJ Watland who scored 3 points.

Grand Rapids advances to the Section 7AAA championship game against Duluth Denfeld at 7:00 Friday night at UMD. The game was originally scheduled for Thursday night in Cambridge, but moved because both teams are from the Northland. The Thunderhawks have defeated the Hunters twice earlier this season, as they are looking to make their fifth straight state tournament appearance.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@Northlandsportsonline.com