Spring AAU: MN Select

2/24/22: Chisago Lakes

Dragon Boys Basketball take win over Chisago Lakes

By Heidi Burger editor@pinecitymn.com

On Wednesday, February 23, the Dragon boys basketball team took on the Chisago Lakes Wildcats at home. The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but due to weather, it had to be rescheduled. Coach Kyle Allen and the Dragons were grateful that Chisago Lakes was able to reschedule for the day after. 

 Senior Dylan Peterson put in the first point of the game. He made one of his  free throws after being fouled on a drive to the basket. It was five minutes into the game before the Dragons scored again. Senior Colton Blaisdell received a pass from Peterson and put up a nice baseline three pointer.  The score was 4-2, Dragons had the lead. The Dragon boys kept the lead and grew it to ten later in the first half.  The Chisago Lakes Wildcats put in a few baskets of their own and at half-time; the Dragons were up 32-27. 

Coach Allen stated, “This was an aggressive game, a lot of foul calls both ways. Both teams were in double bonus early in the first half. And lots of free throws.”  

This led to Coach Allen proving his theory of using rotation and having depth on the bench.  The Dragons had a high number of fouls, but no player fouled out due to the depth of their bench.

The second half started very similar to the first with Peterson going to the free throw line after being fouled under the basket. However, this time his shot went in and he went to the free throw line for one free shot. Peters had an excellent game working hard under the hoop. Senior Kameron Jusczak took a nice charge for the Dragons, in which the team and crowd responded with enthusiasm. The Dragons went on a nice run at the beginning of the second half, but Chisago Lakes fought back and brought the score to within three points. 

Lamont Sydney went to the free throw line after being fouled and put in both his free throws to make the score 54-49 with eight minutes left in the game. The Dragons kept their lead, pulling ahead by ten points. They had a strong finish and the game ended 76-66. 

Coach Allen said, “Coming off the Mora game, we really had to have a look in the mirror on how we were rebounding the basketball. I was really happy with how we came out and focused on it. We had almost fifty rebounds in the game.  Kam had fourteen, Lamont had eleven, DP had seven, and Wilson had five. Those are winning numbers right there.”

Looking forward to the next few weeks, the Dragon boys head up to play Esko on Tuesday, March 1. Coach Allen is looking forward to these next few weeks.  He commented, “We want to play for as long as we can, and  take this as far as it will go. If we can take care of rebounding, then everything else kinda flows. This was a good game for us. The crowd was great, the student section came out. It was a fun atmosphere, our energy was rejuvenated.  Hopefully we can carry this on to the next game against Esko.”

Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/v/2H2NCz

V: W (76-66)

JV: L

C: W

2/19/22: Youth Camp

We celebrated our last winter youth camp for our K-2nd graders on Saturday!

2/17/22: @Mora

Dragon Boys Basketball take Conference championship yet again

By Heidi Burger editor@pinecitymn.com

Pine City, 46 - Mora, 74

On Thursday, the Dragon boys traveled to Mora to play the big rival Mustangs. Coach Allen stated, “Mora is one of the best teams in our section. Mora has some big guys, and any team who plays them has to be prepared.

The Mustangs hit a three-pointer at the beginning of the game. They scored seven points before the Dragons hit a three from Jusczak. Jusczak was then fouled putting up a shot under the hoop. He went to the free-throw line and put in both his free-throws. Freshman Charlie Ausmus hit a three-pointer to put the Dragons ahead by one point, 8-7. It would remain close the first half, and ten minutes into the game the Dragons were still leading 18-15. They kept the lead, but with 1:30 left in the first half, the Mustangs tied the game. They then hit another two-pointer to take the lead going into the second half. 

Coach Allen commented, “This game really came down to one thing, rebounding for us. In the first half, we played really well. It was a close game and the half. And the lack of rebounding kinda caught up with us in the second half. So our inability to stop possessions on the defensive end, and our inability to add possessions on the offensive end, kind of led to the demise and the loss.”

The Dragon boys couldn’t quite recover the second half, and the game would come to an end with the Dragon’s taking the loss, 46-74. “They are a heck-of–a-team. It’s a rivalry game for us and them. We hope to get another chance at them in the playoffs. We feel we can make the proper adjustments,” stated Coach Allen.

The Dragons just may get another chance to verse the Mora Mustangs. But first, they will host Chisago Lakes on Wednesday, Feb. 23. This is the rescheduled time from Tuesday, Feb. 22.

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

Varsity: L (74-46)

JV: L

C-Squad: L