1/14/21: Onamia

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

Varsity: W (76-26)

JV: W (51-36)

Pine City Pioneer

Boys basketball takes down #14 Esko 

STAFF REPORT SPORTS@PINECITYMN.COM 

Dragon boys basketball players may have had jitters as they stepped onto the floor for their first games this past week, but they quickly came together as a team and were able to take apart some formidable opponents. 

PINE CITY 76, ONAMIA 26 

Coach Kyle Allen said that being able to get back on the basketball court, “felt weird, exciting, and crazy all at the same time.” 

“I know people are looking at our team and knowing we lost six seniors who played a lot of minutes last year,” Allen said. “People are probably a little down on us. We don’t mind that. We like being the underdog; we like it when people count us out. We know what we are capable of, we know how purposeful we are when building our program and putting our athletes in a position for success. These players stepping up this year have been groomed for this, just like those before them and those that will come after them.” 

Onamia lost conference player of the year Josh Perrow to graduation last year, and the Dragons were able to come out and take control on both ends of the court. 

“Kameron Jusczak led us on the boards with 11, something we will expect from him night in and night out,” Allen said. “He was joined with our lone senior Caleb Fromm (6) and Dylan Petersen (5). Jason Thieman (4), Luke Wilson (4), and Cole Waxberg paced us on offense in distributing the basketball for assists. 

Jusczak took our lone charge, but guys were working to get to the right spots all night. It is a slow process and something that takes time to recognize our defensive principles and positioning.”