2/9/21: Mora

Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/v/2F2uNF

C: L

JV: L

Varsity: L (60-46)

Dragon boys battle back after Mora loss

Staff Report Sports@pinecountynews.com

Pine City’s varsity basketball squad fell this week to a highly-ranked Mora team, then responded with a dominating win over Isle. 

Mora 60, Pine City 46 

Coach Kyle Allen noted that coming into the game, Mora was ranked #3 in state – and deservedly so. 

“They have a great group of seniors to go along with a 6’8” junior,” Allen said. “They play well as a team and really stick to their strengths as both individuals and as a group.”

Allen said the first half showcased what the Dragons can do as a team this year. The team found themselves down by just three points going into the break.

“Our energy was great, our execution was good, and I was excited for the second half of the game,” Allen said. “Unfortunately, our energy at the start of the second half was poor and our execution was even worse.”

Mora went on an 11-0 run to start the second half, and though the Dragons were able to cut it to single digits many times in the second half, that lead proved to be too much to overcome.

Allen said he was very proud of how the boys picked themselves up after that terrible start to the second half and continued to compete from that point on.

“We never gave in and kept fighting,” Allen said. “I am proud to coach any team that refuses to give in.” 

He noted that Kameron Jusczak and Dylan Petersen led the Dragons on the boards with nine apiece. Petersen and Luke Wilson each took a charge in the game.

“We asked Caleb Fromm and Jason Thieman to guard on the perimeter, something we often ask of them,” Allen said. “I thought both were up to the task and both continued to execute and lead on that end of the court. Cole Waxberg got hot from deep in the second half, a nice jump start to what we needed, and our guys did a great job of finding him in those spots.”