1/30/20: Aitkin

Dragon boys easily top Braham and Aitkin

• by Lancelot E. Furber sports@pinecitymn.com
 
• Feb 12, 2020 Updated Feb 12, 2020, Pine City Pioneer

Aitkin 60, Pine City 82

On Jan. 30, the Dragons would come away with their second win of the week at home against Aitkin.

“I love when we are able to create a fun environment at Pine City,” said Coach Allen. “We had a lot of fans, community members, students and others fill in on Thursday night. When you couple that with the pep band, it makes for a great night of basketball and a fun experience for our players. The gym is energetic, and we hope that our brand of basketball coupled with our own energy and excitement makes for a good experience for the fans as well.”

Pine City knew this was going to be a physical game coming in, and it did not disappoint. It was a fast-paced game where neither team was willing to back down. There were a lot of fouls called both ways and rightfully so.

The first half was a battle up until the last few minutes when the Dragons were able to go on a little run to end the half, giving themselves an 8-point lead at half. A great execution by the Dragon players set up an open 3-point shot for Seth Logan who was able to convert the shot.  

In the second half, Pine City was able to keep their composure and continue to keep the pressure on both ends of the court.

“Caleb Fromm, again, had a great game,” Coach Allen said. “A lot of what he does does not show up in the stat book. Tonight, however, he took four charges in the game, which is unbelievable.”

Seth Logan led the Dragons on the boards with nine total rebounds, followed by Duke Waxberg with seven and Christian Fromm with six. Koleman Lind did a great job of setting up other players with nine assists, but was able to balance that with his own scoring attack.

“If we can continue to have Koleman Lind, Konnor Jusczak and Duke Waxberg control the flow of offense like they have, we will be good on the offensive end,” said Allen.

Varsity: W (82-60)
JV: W
C-Squad: W

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1/28/20: @Braham

Dragon boys easily top Braham and Aitkin

• by Lancelot E. Furber sports@pinecitymn.com
 
• Feb 12, 2020 Updated Feb 12, 2020, Pine City Pioneer

Braham 54, Pine City 78

On Jan. 28, Pine City boys basketball traveled to Braham. There is so much history there, so much pride. It makes for a great atmosphere and a great game. They have the state championship banners hanging, Coach Vaughan’s Hall of Fame banner – a lot of good basketball has been played in their gyms.

“Coach Eklund and I chat quite a bit,” said coach Kyle Allen. “I really respect what he does over there, and I hope that feeling is mutual. We know each other’s systems, what we want to accomplish, and how we want to do it. It makes it fun. Now it is a chess match of strategies and execution.”  

It was a bit of a seesaw battle in the first half of play as the Dragons got off to a slow start, turning the ball over a few times in their first couple of possessions. Pine City got out to a lead; however, Braham battled back and made a bit of a run of their own.

The score was close at halftime, but the Pine City coaches felt like we could make the appropriate adjustments at halftime.

In the second half, Pine City extended their lead. Caleb Fromm did a great job of setting the tone on both ends of the court. Konnor Jusczak took over the pace and execution of the offensive end of the court, leading to a game-high seven assists. Kameron Jusczak came down with six total rebounds, only out-paced by Seth Logan who had 10. Dylan Petersen was able to pull in five total rebounds in a role off the bench. Christian Fromm scored all 11 of his points in the second half, finding the correct spot while guys did a great job of feeding him the ball.

Varsity: W (78-54)
JV: W
C-Squad: W

1/25/20: Youth Camp

1/24/20: Ogilvie

Boys basketball shoots over Rush City, Ogilvie

• By Lance Furber Sports@pinecitymn.com
 
• Feb 5, 2020, Pine City Pioneer

Pine City 97, Ogilvie 36

Pine City was able to keep the hot shooting up, on Friday, Jan. 24, against a very improved Ogilvie team. The Dragons made 18 three-pointers while shooting almost 40% from outside.

“I don’t worry about the offensive end very much; our kids work hard year round to be great on that end,” said coach Allen. “I know shots will go in as we continue to take the correct shots, I am much more aware and worried about the defensive end and rebounding.”

Ogilvie players are working hard for their young and hungry coaching staff, and it shows.

“They have some of the most athletic kids in the conference; I believe they had three dunk attempts making two of them,” said coach Allen. “That is not something you see everyday in a high school game in our area.”  

Seth Logan led Pine City on the boards with 11 points while also racking up seven assists.  All 13 Dragon players were entered in the game, with 11 in the first half.  Ten Dragon players scored in the game.  Cole Waxberg was second in rebounding with five.

“As a team, we had under 10 turnovers which is a game day goal for us.  We also had a season high 28 assists,” said coach Allen. “When we don’t care who scores, we are a scary team on the offensive end. “

The Pine City varsity boys basketball team will be hosting Mora on Monday, Feb.3, followed by East Central on Thursday, Feb 6, and Duluth Marshall on Friday, Feb. 7. 

Varsity: W (97-36)
JV: W

1/22/20: Northern Pines

1/21/20: Rush City

Boys basketball shoots over Rush City, Ogilvie

• By Lance Furber Sports@pinecitymn.com
 
• Feb 5, 2020, Pine City Pioneer

Pine City 75, Rush City 67

On Tuesday, Jan. 21 Pine City hosted Rush City for an exciting match up. Rush City has a lot of talent and athleticism on their team, with a lot of players who can contribute from freshmen to seniors.

“That is a great recipe for success,“said coach Kyle Allen. “Their underclassmen are playing like experienced varsity players and do not seem to shy away from the spotlight.

“The game itself was a game of runs.  I am just happy we were able to make enough runs to win the game,” said Allen. “Give credit to Rush, they hit some tough shots, did a nice job of getting to the free throw line, and never backed down.  Great conference game.”

Konnor Jusczak had 10 assists and is taking on that facilitating role on the court for the Dragons.  Overall, the Dragon rebounding numbers were low; Seth Logan lead Pine City with five followed by Konnor Jusczak, Duke Waxberg, and Dylan Petersen with four each.

“Rush is much longer and much more athletic than we are, something that we did not do a good enough job of neutralizing,” Allen said. “We did, however, hold them to seven offensive rebounds.”  

“We talk about it all the time, but shooting percentages is something that is only in our control to a certain degree.  We really focus on taking the correct shot,” Allen said. “ On Tuesday, those shots were falling from outside.  We shot almost 43% from 3, a great number for any team, making 14 3s.”  

Jason Thieman came in during the second half and gave the Dragons quite the spark.  He is really getting after it on the defensive end and in the full court.  Christian Fromm gave some very solid minutes in both halves as the Dragons fought some foul trouble.

Varsity: W (75-67)
JV: W
C-Squad: