The Pine City Dragons basketball team clinched the Great River Conference title for the 2nd year in a row by winning 2 more conference games in convincing fashion.
Pine City 106
Ogilvie 46
The Dragons played a very fast paced first half by running the fast break to perfection multiple times. "We were able to control the boards and our defense was able to get a number of turnovers where the kids were able to finish the play. It was a very good all around effort by all of our kids." The Dragons made an amazing 42 out of 58 two point field goals in the contest, which is over 72%. They made 49 total field goals in the game, which according to the Minnesota state records as listed on the Minnesota girls basketball hub, is tied for the 8th most field goals made in a game in Minnesota girls basketball history! Needless to say it was a good shooting night for the Dragons. The Dragons were led in scoring by Sophie Lahti who had a tremendous game with 34 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals. Ellie Hasz also had a double double with 25 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals. Karly Jusczak also had a big game with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals. Kloey Lind was also in double figures with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 5 steals. Maddie Berglund had 6 points. Amazingly, Ella Sell had of everything, 3 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Carissa Nascene has 2 points, 2 assists and 5 steals. The win on Tuesday assured the Dragons of no worse than a share of the conference title.
Pine City 70
Rush City 39
The Dragons played some of their best basketball of the year, especially in the second half of this one as they pulled away from the Tigers. The Dragons quickness, athleticism, and length were just too much for Rush City on this night. The Dragons took a 29-17 lead into half time. A 20-4 run to begin the second half, had the Dragons up 49-21 and that all but put the game away for Pine City. "The kids really brought the energy to start the second half. It seemed that we were getting our hands on everything, making good decisions and cashing in when we got defensive stops. It was a really good stretch of basketball for our team." Ellie Hasz had a very good night with 28 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 4 steals. Sophie Lahti had yet another double double with 16 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Maddie Berglund had 8 points and 3 rebounds, Karly Jusczak had 8 points and 4 rebounds, Carissa Nascene had 6 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals. Kloey Lind had 2 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals. "We have great things happening right now. Our kids have made great strides this season. We are still not playing our best basketball yet and that is very exciting. We have kids that are starting to do the little things, and playing their roles to perfection. This is a team game and our kids are really doing a great job of understanding what makes a great team."
The win on Friday night clinched back to back conference titles for the Dragons. The Dragons have not lost a conference game in over 2 years.
