The Pine City boys basketball team hosted Hinckley-Finlayson on Thursday night.
This was a rematch from the beginning of the season in which the Jags won 88-77. It wasn't quite the shootout it was then but Thursday night's game still had a bunch of intrigue.
Both sides got out to a quick start, with Pine City getting on the board first. Early on before the Jags were able to get things rolling themselves, it looked like the Dragons might be able to pull out in front early and rely on the offense to keep them in front. But the Jags got on the board and it looked like we were in for a shootout type of game. The lead changed hands a plenty and neither team could pull away. But the scoring was soon slowed, mainly on the side of the Dragons. Hinckley-Finlayson would hold Pine scoreless for a several minutes and take the lead, this swayed momentum in their favor. Fouls on both sides piled up and each side had their fair share of chances at the free throw line. The Dragons would not go into the half easily, as they crept back within 3 of the Jags lead at half 38-35.
Scoring was at more of a premium in the 2nd half, the defenses made the impact as the offense couldn't find a rhythm. The Jags held onto the lead throughout the rest of the game, but Pine City put up a fight and battled hard. The Dragons got within three of the lead late in the game, despite nearly trailing by double digits up to that point. But that's as close as they could get as the Jaguars held them off and came away with the win 63-56.
Hinckley-Finlayson improves to 6-9 on the year and gets their second win over Pine City. They'll host Crosby-Ironton tonight.
The Dragons fall to 2-12 on the season. Their next chance for victory will be next Tuesday at Duluth Marshall.
Scoring:
Hinckley-Finlayson
Griffin Stiel 31
Trey Visser 11
Ty Westrum 6
Seth Olson 5
Chase Klar and Grady Ausmus 4
Isaac Westrum 2
Pine City
Sawyer McDaniel 12
AJ Ostensen 10
Jace Peterson 8
Bryer Willert 7
Austin Wiener and Charlie Ausmus 6
Grant Larson 3
Daniel Milliman and Eli Fromm 2
