2/5/21: Paynesville

Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/v/2F1txN

Varsity: W (79-76)

JV: L

C-Squad: L

STAFF REPORT SPORTS@PINECITYMN.COM

PINE CITY 73, PAYNESVILLE 70 

Coming into the game, Payesville was ranked #20 in 2A by the QRF according to MN Scores. “We were excited to add such a highly ranked team to our schedule this year,” Allen said. “We have never played Paynesville in my Pine City tenure.” In the first half, the Dragons found themselves in foul trouble. Paynesville went into halftime up by a single point. “We knew coming into the game that Paynesville had a very talented scorer (Corbin Froelich) who was averaging close to 30 points per game,” Allen said. “He was surrounded by a talented group of juniors and seniors who were going to be physical and aggressive. The team turned to reinforcements in eighth grader Charlie Ausmus and junior Micah Overtoom. “Both had just played a full and tough fought JV game, so for them to be able to come in and give us some minutes in the first half was huge,” Allen said. He said the team stuck with the game plan, and found success. “This continued into the second half where we got a great boost from some fresh legs. Caleb Fromm stepped up to the free throw line down the stretch and continued to do what we expect from him; knock down big shots. He went 13/16 on the night. “I was really proud how Caleb Fromm, Luke Wilson, and Colton Blaisdell helped hold the ship in the first half as we were battling some foul trouble,” Allen said. “Cole Waxberg came in and gave us some great energy in the second half after sitting early with foul trouble. In the second half, Mason Charles came off the bench to try his hand at our ‘tandem’ role; it was the first time we have asked him to do this and he was very successful in allowing us to continue our game plan. Allen said the atmosphere at those games was electric “One of those Friday night games that would have had The Den rocking with a full house,” he said. “While we miss our fans, we appreciate our JV and C-Squad players, along with our player’s parents/guardians, coming in and helping to give us the juice we need to compete at a high level with great energy” Dylan Petersen led the Dragons on the boards with eight followed by Kameron Jusczak with seven. They were able to take five charges on the night; Jusczak had two while Petersen, Jason Thieman, and Luke Wilson each had one. Wilson led in assists with six.