1/28/21: @EastCentral

 Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/v/2EzT4u

Varsity: L (69-51)

JV: W

STAFF REPORT SPORTS@PINECITYMN.COM

EAST CENTRAL 69, PINE CITY 51 

The Dragons suffered their first conference loss since January 2018. “Hats off to East Central; they have a great group of players led by a ton of seniors and Coach Fogt has them playing with great effort and confidence,” Allen said. “While our poor shooting did not help our cause, our defensive breakdowns were what led to our demise. We were unable to create many consecutive defensive stops in the first half, gave up a season high of creations on the defensive end, and gave up an incredible amount of offensive rebounds and second chance points. “We talk a lot about how a ‘season is a lifetime’ and each season brings on not only its own challenges and growth, but also has to evolve and develop at its own pace,” he said. “The lack of an offseason and preseason, something that everyone is dealing with, has been a new obstacle for us as we attempt to gel and create our identity.” Kameron Jusczak led the team on the boards with 16, followed by Caleb Fromm, Cole Waxberg, and Colton Blaisdell with seven each. Jusczak also took the team’s two lone charges on the night.

1/26/21: Braham

Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/v/2Eyi5t

Varsity: W (67-62)

JV: L

C-Squad: L

STAFF REPORT SPORTS@PINECITYMN.COM 

The Dragon boys basketball squad continues to build their skills as they build an impressive record of wins.

PINE CITY 67, BRAHAM 62 

“Coach Eklund does such a nice job with his team and program over at Braham,” said Dragon Coach Kyle Allen. “He can out-coach anyone. His teams are always very prepared and disciplined, and when you add in it is a conference foe; it makes for a great night of basketball.” The Dragons put themselves in a hole in the first half. “Braham came out and hit some tough shots; but also worked hard to get open looks,” Allen said. “They were able to knock them down and we were unable to achieve our goals. We found ourselves down double digits at halftime, but knew we were not out of the game yet. “I was really proud of how our boys dug in during the second half,” he said. “We started to play more like a team in the second half instead of 5 individuals on the court.” Kameron Jusczak led the team on the boards with 10 followed by senior Caleb Fromm with nine and Dylan Petersen with eight. Fromm (6), Jason Thieman (5), and Petersen (4) led the team in deflections on the defensive end. Fromm, Petersen, and Cole Waxberg each took a charge in the contest as well. Luke Wilson (3) led in assists in the game.

JV/V Games: Live Streaming Links (January 25-30)

JV @545PM

V @ 715PM

1/26 Boys Basketball vs Braham
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmMdg4Z8siU&feature=youtu.be

1/28 Boys Basketball @ East Central
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ4R1jSXXqw&feature=youtu.be

1/22/21: @Ogilvie

Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/v/2EyEZR

Varsity: W (90-44)

JV: W

Boys basketball takes road victory in Ogilvie 

BY MIKE GAINOR SPORTS@PINECITYMN.COM 

The Dragon boys varsity basketball team quickly kicked into gear and earned a decisive victory in Ogilvie, their first road game of the year. 

PINE CITY 90, OGILVIE 44 

“Every year, when our first road game comes around, I am a nervous wreck,” said Coach Kyle Allen. “Because of the way we do things, we bring so much equipment with us. Our managers are rockstars; I tell them every year, we couldn’t do what we do without them. When you add in a COVID year, it was even more nervewracking and our managers stepped up and were again, rockstars.” Allen said that the coaches are throwing a lot at the players right now, and are asking them to learn their roles and improve their play. “Our guys are doing a great job of taking a lot on their plates and trying to put it into action on game days,” Allen said. “We are lucky to have a basketball system that these players have run for years at Pine City. By the time they get to JV/varsity, we are building around our concepts that they already have and know. It really helps to have a system in place.” Allen said that the team was able to string together several defensive stops in both halves. He pointed to a number of players who stepped up to help earn the win. “Jason Thieman really came to play,” Allen said. “He led us in rebounds with eight, second in assists with five, and tied for first in steals with five. His motor is always going and he is really trying to concentrate on what is important to us as both a coaching staff and a program.” Allen said that Dylan Petersen (7), Kameron Jusczak (6), and Colton Blaisdell (5) continued to crash the boards, while Jusczak (7) and Luke Wilson (5) did a great job distributing the ball for shots and setting their teammates up for success. “Wilson led us on the offensive end trying to create offense,” Allen said. “He led us in both paint touches and passes to a shot. “Caleb Fromm continues to lead us in the right direction,” he added. “As the lone senior, he knows my system and the goals of what we are trying to accomplish. He has been down this road before and has the experience to see what is coming.” The Dragons will continue to be tested as they face perennial rival Braham this week.

JV/V Live Streaming Links (January 18-23)

 1/22 boys basketball @ Ogilvie:  https://youtu.be/HOurYghBPu8

JV@ 545PM

V@715PM

1/16/21: Esko

Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/v/2EwPA8

Varsity: W (81-71)

JV: L

C-Squad: L

Dragon Boys C-Squad vs Esko GAME:

https://youtu.be/LM2JQan7TGM

Pine City Pioneer

Boys basketball takes down #14 Esko 

STAFF REPORT SPORTS@PINECITYMN.COM 

PINE CITY 81, ESKO 71 

The next challenge for the Dragons was taking on a highly-rated Esko squad, who were ranked at #14 in the state in the MN Breakdown Basketball preseason poll. 

Allen said the Dragons haven’t played Esko in several years during the season. 

“Their head coach, Coach Anderson, is a college teammate of mine,” Allen said. “We bounce things off of each other all the time and have gotten together more in the offseasons over the last few years. We knew this was going to be a good matchup, but also a great measuring stick for us early in the season.” Allen pointed out that with the shortened offseason and short start to the year, many teams are scrambling to get their systems in place. 

“We are lucky in that fashion that our system has been in place for years and we teach it at sub-varsity levels,” he said. “I told the boys leading up to games this year that we were ‘ready’ to walk out and play any team; the question would be are we ‘prepared’ to do it. 

The Dragons got off to a quick start and were soon up 10-0, but they knew that Esko wasn’t going to just go away. 

“They have gone to state seven of the last eight years; something that we are still trying to achieve in my tenure, their pedigree alone speaks to their reputation,” Allen said. “I was really proud of how our boys fought through the ups and downs of the game. Both teams had times of great runs, but our boys always dug their heels in and responded. As a team, we had 50 rebounds; we will win a lot of games if we can continue to rebound like that against great competition.” 

He said the players are doing a good job of shaking off the rust from the offseason. 

“I was really proud of our senior Caleb Fromm stepping up to the line and continuing to shoot free throws with confidence,” Allen said. “Kameron Jusczak led us on the boards with 14. Fromm (8) and Dylan Petersen (9) also did a great job of crashing and finishing rebounds. Luke Wilson and Petersen lead us in assists with three each. Jusczak and Colton Blaisdell each took a called charge in the game.” 

Allen said he is very impressed by how Pine City High School and Activities Director Rick Engelstad have attacked the COVID situation to make team sports possible again. 

“Being able to be back in the gym, see our athletes, be together again, it just brings some normalcy to our lives right now,” Allen said. “We talk all the time how our program is family; the amount of time we spend together in a normal year is astronomical, so not seeing each other for as long as we have felt like not seeing family for that long.” 

Allen noted that all basketball games will be streamed. The links can be found by either going to the boys basketball blog (www.pinecityboysbasketball.blogspot.com) or the school’s activity website. People can also join their text message updates by texting: @pcbb to: 81010