Wood City Classic: All Tournament Team

Pine City had one player named to The Wood City Classic All-Tournament Team this year after going 1-1; losing in the opening round to Duluth Denfeld (3A) by 3 and then beating The Blake School (3A) by 3 on day two.

This year, Jake Lunceford (Junior) was picked by the tournament committee as an All-Tournament player.

Jake drew the assignment of guarding Blake's Jack Moe on day two and did a great job of neutralizing the offensive threat.  So much so, that it very much impressed the tournament committee.

Congratulations to Jake!

12/28/16: The Blake School (@Cloquet)

Pine City found themselves playing The Blake School on the second day of The Wood City Classic for the third year in a row and the result would be the same as the previous two.  The Dragons would hold on to win 61-58.

A very sloppy first half found PC in the same position they were just a day earlier, down 1 at half.  A huge charge taken by senior Austin Hansmann helped turn the tide back towards Pine City for a stretch, allowing PC to keep the game in the first half.

In the second half, The Dragon's offense and intensity both picked up as they were able to stretch their lead to 10 for most of the second half against a very scrappy and dangerous Blake team.  In the final minutes, PC held off a late run by Blake to find the win.

Again, even scoring helped The Dragons as eight players scored in this game as well.  The team was lead by Nick Hansmann (13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists) and Jake Rademacher (13 points, 9 rebounds).

Jake Lunceford (4 points, 2 rebounds) and Quentin Miklya (2 points, 4 rebounds) drew the challenge of guarding Blake's Jack Moe; a preseason "Breakdown top 75 junior" in the state.  The combo held Moe to 9 points.

Next up: @Milaca on Tuesday 1/3/17.

12/27/16: Duluth Denfeld (@Cloquet)

Pine City found themselves with a chance to send this game to overtime but were unable to execute on their final chance, falling to Duluth Denfeld 58-55 in the opening round of The Wood City Classic in Cloquet, MN.

A very tight game throughout, it was a one point game at halftime in favor on Denfeld (29-28).  This continued throughout the second half as neither team was ever able to fully pull away for any long stretch of play.

Pine City had very even scoring from their team on the night with eight different players scoring; the leading scorer, Nick Hansmann, had 11.

Jake Lunceford (9 points, 5 rebounds) lead the team on the glass followed by Jake Rademacher (7 points, 4 rebounds).

It would be a quick turnaround as The Dragons would have to turn around and take on The Blake School on Wednesday.

Secret Santa

Members of the Pine City Varsity team decided to start a new tradition this year: Secret Santa.

Each player drew another players name and had to buy them something for under $5.  It was a very funny and memorable experience for a new tradition to say the least!

Alumni Game 2016

In a game that featured some ugly calls by the refs, the younger alumni defeated the experienced alumni 72-63.

After the game, a pizza social was had where current players, alumni, and their families got to catch up and enjoy each others company on the hardwood once again!

2016-17 Varsity Hype Video

A HUGE thank you goes out to Ryan Blake (RB3) for the filming and creation of the hype video this year!

12/22/16: @MLWR

In a game where Pine City stepped up their defense for most of the night, The Dragons were able to walk away from Moose Lake-Willow River with a 71-51 win on Thursday night.

The 3s were falling early for PC at MLWR on Thursday, as both Clay Logan (16 points, 5 rebounds) and Austin Hansmann found the bottom of the net early.  Pine City was able to extend their lead before allowing a run before half cutting their lead to just 7 going into the break.

In the second half, Jake Rademacher (11 points, 9 rebounds, 5 steals) and Seth Logan (6 rebounds) continued to lead PC on the boards and showed toughness grabbing defensive rebounds.  Adams Seals and Riley Palmer again came in and gave some big minutes in the contest, helping extend the lead in the second half.

Next up, Pine City travels to Cloquet for their Holiday Tournament.  They will play Duluth Denfeld on Tuesday and The Blake School on Wednesday.

JV: L 47-51
C: L 32-37

Winter Break Schedule

12/26
-Alumni Tournament
-C/JV/V Practice from 5-7 PM @ Elementary

12/27:
-Varsity Shoot-A-Round (9-10 AM) @ Elementary
-Varsity Tournament @ Cloquet

12/28:
-Varsity Shoot-A-Round (1030-11 AM) @ Cloquet
-Varsity Tournament @ Cloquet

12/29:
-C/JV/V Practice (9-11 AM) @ Elementary

12/30:
-C/JV/V Practice (9-11 AM) @ Elementary

1/2:
-C Practice (3-530 PM) @ Elementary
-JV/V Practice (3-530 PM) @ High School

2016 Alumni Game (12/26)

12/20/16: North Branch

Pine City was able to have a come-from-behind victory at home against North Branch on Tuesday night with a final score of 62-52.

The start of the game could not have gone much worse for The Dragons as they found themselves down 21-3 halfway to halftime.  However, spurred by active team defense lead by Jake Rademacher (5 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists), a great charge taken by Austin Hansmann, and coupled with hot shooting from Seth Logan (21 points, 4 rebounds) who ended the first half with 17 points, gave PC a 2 point lead heading into half, 29-27.

North Branch came out on a 5-0 run to start the second half before Pine City took the lead back and never gave it up.  Clay Logan (17 points, 4 steals) was able to find some openings on the offensive end and gave Pine City some crucial free throws down the stretch with fellow junior Jake Lunceford (8 points, 4 rebounds).   Another junior, Riley Palmer, came in a gave some tough minutes, helping push the lead further with 4 points and 3 rebounds.

Next up, PC travels to Moose Lake-Willow River.  V/JV at Moose Lake (545/715 start times) and C-Squad at Willow River (545 start time).

JV: W 49-45
C: L 32-43