3/5/21: East Central

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

C: W

JV: W

Varsity: W (73-55)

Dragon boys meet the moment, get shot at conference title

Staff report 

Coach Kyle Allen said that going into this week, the Dragon boys basketball squad understood that it was now or never. 

“We knew we would have to have as close to a perfect week as possible to be able to put ourselves in a position to achieve one of our goals: earn a conference title,” Allen said.

And that is exactly what they did, earning three victories to go on and take a shot at that title this weekend.

Pine City 73, East Central 55

Allen noted that the Dragons walked out of East Central earlier this year with a loss. 

“They are good, really good, ranked in the top 10 in the state for 1A,” he said.  “They had taken revenge on Rush City the night before, avenging a loss (their only loss coming into the game) earlier in the season. We knew that it would be a tough task for us to avenge our own loss from earlier in the year.”

The Dragons got out to a quick lead, 13-0, to start the game. Allen said he was proud of how the boys came through with great excitement and execution. 

However, East Central came roaring back before the end of the half and cut that lead to just three points. 

“Most of the second half was a back and forth battle,” Allen said. “We were never able to get more than a five point lead until we were able to pull away at the end and finish with free throws from both Kameron Jusczak and Caleb Fromm.”

Jusczak led the Dragons in both points (31) and rebounds (15). 

“He was unstoppable for most of the game,” Allen said. “His leadership on the boards continued to shine bright.” 

Jusczak was followed on the boards by Petersen with seven. Petersen took the lone charge on the night.