Hermantown Holds Off Jacks For Last Second Win in Thriller

Wes Vork-NSO

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Dec 18, 2012

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

CLOQUET- Maxx Brenner’s shot as time expired went in and out of the Lumberjacks basket as the Lumberjacks were trying to pull out a last second victory. The shot put up by Brenner was halfway down then came right back out as the Lumberjacks fall to the Hermantown Hawks Tuesday night by a score of 61-60 at Cloquet High School.

The Lumberjacks started fast Tuesday night by opening up an early first half lead of 12 points at 18-6 behind some penetration from Marquez Evans that led to a few easy layups . Adam Laine also scored inside for the Lumberjacks, who had the early momentum. Hermantown fought right back Tuesday night; two quick three pointers by Zach Goplin and Chase Hren cut Cloquet’s lead in half.

The Hawks managed to cut the Lumberjacks lead down to two points at 20-18, but Cloquet managed to build up a five point 28-23 lead at halftime. Hermantown used a 15-4 run to start the second half as the Hawks quickly gained the momentum from Cloquet and went on to the victory Tuesday night in this Lake Superior Conference contest.

“We can play very well in stretches” Head Coach Michael Pothast told Northland Sports Online. “We still need to be more consistent and continue to work hard on both sides of the ball.” Pothast added “This game was a tight game; we knew coming in that Cloquet was going to give us fits trying to match up.”

The Hawks managed to twice build up seven point leads, only to see the Lumberjacks come right back and cut the margin down to a one possession game. The Lumberjacks made late runs at Hermantown, who struggled down the stretch from the free throw line and saw Cloquet pull within one point when Dillon Johnson connected on a three pointer from the top of the key with 10 seconds remaining.

A quick foul sent Hermantown to the line, and with two missed free throws, Cloquet had an opportunity to win the game. Cloquet pushed the ball into the front count and Brenner had to dribble away from two Hermantown defenders and put up a shot which most times would swish right through; but on this occasion the ball came back out of the hoop as time expired to give the Hawks the one point road victory.

The Hawks who now improve to 4-0 on the season, were led in scoring by Zach Goplin, who finished with 17 points on the night, Kevin Folman added 15 points, and it was Spencer Johnson chipping in with 12 including a thunderous dunk to help lead Hermantown, who will be back in action again Thursday night when they will host Eveleth-Gilbert in a non-conference battle.

The Lumberjacks had four players in double figures including Adam Laine, who led all scorers with 19. Dillon Johnson finished with 14 points, and it was Marquez Evans and Aaron Johnson both finishing with 10 points for Cloquet, who now falls to 1-3 on the season. Cloquet will be on the road Thursday night when they travel to Minneapolis to take on Minneapolis Southwest.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com