Cloquet Girls Notch First Win Against Central

Wes Vork-NSO

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December 15

Joe Vork-NSO

DULUTH – The last time the Cloquet and Duluth Central girls’ basketball teams squared off, a trip to the section final was on the line. Tonight, however, each team was searching for their first win of the season. Tuesday evening, Cloquet was the team who came out on top by a score of 56-46.

These two teams appeared to be evenly matched early on in the game, and it showed with multiple lead changes and neither team opening up a big lead. At the end of the first half Duluth Central attempted 23 shots from the floor, while Cloquet attempted 21.

Central led 14-10 midway through the first half when Sarah McMillen was fouled on a 3 point attempt. After making all three of her free throws, the Central lead was cut to a single point. McMillen also added another point by hitting one of her two free throws at the end of the first half to bring Cloquet within two points as they trailed at halftime by a score of 25-27.

Cloquet began the second half like a team on a mission, scoring the first ten points, while not allowing Central a second half basket until the 10:56 mark of the period. The quick start to the second half proved to be too much for Central to overcome with Cloquet going on to a 56-46 victory. Cloquet coach Jeff Ojanen told NSO, “The girls played a good first half and a great second half.” Cloquet dominated the rebounds 43-24, while their bench players outscored Central 15-8. Both were key factors in the Lumberjack victory.

Annabel Morrisroe led all scorers on the night with 18 points, while grabbing 11 rebounds. Kialee Kutter added seven points, Krista Schmitz and Sarah McMillen each chipped in six points, while Katie Pappas, Carri Zeadow, and Brianna Hennagin all added five. Hennagin also supplied seven assists on the night. Jenna Beaupre rounded out the scoring by scoring four points. Duluth Central was paced by Sami Vezina and Mary Von Rueden who scored 14 and 12 points respectively.

Cloquet is now 1-4 on the season and will be back in action on December 22nd when they host Lake Superior Conference rival Hermantown.

Joe Vork can be reached at joe@northlandsportsonline.com