Eskomos Finish 2nd In Coaches Classic

Wes Vork-NSO

For Additional Photos Click Here To View Our Photo Gallery

Dec 19

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

ESKO – The Esko Eskomos dropped their first game of the season Saturday to the Floodwood Polar Bears 66-57 in the championship game of the 30th Annual Esko Coach’s Classic.

These two teams met earlier in the year, with
Esko winning the nail biter in Floodwood. This time, the Eskomos entered the championship game shorthanded, having only seven girls available for play due to various reasons. The annual Esko Coach’s Classic is held in the memory of former coach Jack Johnson.

The Eskomos came out somewhat flat and fell behind early as the Polar Bears jumped out to an early lead. Floodwood had leads of 12 to 14 points at various times early in the first half. The Eskomos struggled offensively, with Floodwood holding Esko without a field goal until the Keely Deadrick scored at the 5:30 mark of the first half. Esko’s first 11 points came on free-throws.

Deadrick’s basket would light a fire for the Eskomos as they made a run at Floodwood and fought back to tie the game at 24-24 late in the first half. Floodwood answered right back though as Alissa Autio and Mia Rauvola scored a combined eleven points in the final few minutes to take a seven point, 35-28, lead heading into the locker room at halftime.

Floodwood continued with their run in the second half, building a lead of 18 points to stretch their lead to 48-29. Esko battled back, cutting the lead down to seven at one point late in the second half. However, being shorthanded, the Eskomos wore out in the end. The Polar Bears finished with the nine point 66-57 win.

The Eskomos were led be Keely Deadrick, who poured in a game high of 30 points for the Eskomos. Julianne Carley scored 11, Katie Tonner scored 10 points and Lydia Pelletier added 4, while Alyson Glumac finished with 2.

The Polar Bears were led by Rauvola who scored 24, Autio added 19, and Brea Durovec scored 9. Rounding out the Polar Bear scoring was Sammy Johnson with 8, Molly Johnson with 4 and Emily Tamminen finished with 2.

Esko falls to 7-1 on the season and will have some time off for the holiday break. They will be back in action on January 4th when they host the Wrenshall Wrens. Floodwood raises its record now to 7-2 on the season and are also off for the holidays. Their next game will be January 5th in Barnum.

The Esko Coach’s Classic all-tournament team (selected by coaches and others in attendance) included Lindsey Kingsbury of Nashwauk-Keewatin, Lydia Pelletier of Esko and Floodwood’s Mia Rauvola, Brea Durovec, and Alissa Autio. The tournament MVP was Keely Deadrick of Esko. Deadrick scored 49 points in two games for the Eskomos.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com