Cloquet Boys Fall To Rapids In Season Opener

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Dec 4, 2012

Kerry Rodd-NSO

Alex Illikainen was the difference maker on Tuesday night for the Grand Rapids boys basketball team in their 59-46 win over the Cloquet Lumberjacks. Illikainen, a post player, recorded 30 points and he also was a force on the boards with 19 rebounds in leading the Thunderhawks to the win.

While Illikainen was proving to be a force for Grand Rapids, Cloquet’s Adam Laine was almost equally as strong by providing his team with a 20 point, 13 rebound effort in the loss.

The Thunderhawks slipped out to a 29-20 halftime lead and then outscored Cloquet by four points in the second half to take the win.

Both A.J. Watland and Justin Gill finished with 11 points for Grand Rapids and were the only other players in double-digit scoring for the Thunderhawks. Cloquet did not have a player other than Laine finish in double-figure scoring.

Cloquet did hit six 3-point field goals compared to only two for the Thunderhawks, but because of the strong post game from Illikainen Grand Rapids was more than able to overcome the long distance shooting of the Jacks.

Marquez Evans finished with seven points for Cloquet, it was six points for Jake Bushey and Maxx Brenner, Nate Weets added four, Zach Gerlach contributed two points and Dillon Johnson hit a free throw for Cloquet in the loss.

Kerry Rodd can be reached at kerry@northlandsportsonline.com