Jacks open season with Victory

Photos by: Myrissa Laitinen

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

Jacks start Season 1-0

Adam Laine scored 33 points as they opened the season with a win for the first time under head Coach Steve Battaglia’s career as the Lumberjacks head coach. “Its kind of nice not having to open the season against Grand Rapids” Battaglia told Northland Sports Online.

The Lumberjacks used a 13-3 run over the last two minutes of the first half to pull away from the Bluejackets to give them an 11 point half time lead of 37-26. This coming off the Bluejackets cutting Cloquet’s lead to one point at 24-23.

Laine who finished 13-17 from the field also was 7-7 from the free throw line and grabbed 12 rebounds in the victory for the Lumberjacks. Maxx Brenner chipped in with 13 points including two 3-pointers.

Zach Gerlach finished with 9 points, Victor Foxx had 5, Nate Weets and Tim Paczynski each scored 3 points and Jake Bushey closed the scoring with 2 points for Cloquet.

The Bluejackets were led by Tyler Jerkovich who scored 20 points in the Hibbing loss, Dylan Takkunen added 8, while Colin Kemp finished with 5. Bryan Farden, Travis Caruth, and Andy Rudberg each added 4 points, and Andy Kolden ended with 3.

The Lumberjacks will try to make two straight wins Tuesday night when they will host International Falls. The Bluejackets will take on Eveleth-Gilbert in Hibbing on Tuesday night

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com