CROOKSTON BOYS BASKETBALL GETS FIRST WIN BY BEATING FOSSTON

The Crookston Pirate Boys Basketball team had a solid all-around game as they had three score in double-figures and held an opponent to the lowest score so far this season in a 57-53 victory over the Fosston Greyhounds in a game played at the Crookston High School gymnasium.

FIRST HALF-
The game started as a three-point shooting contest, with Fosston’s Kelton Gray and Hudson Boushee making back-to-back three-pointers. Crookston responded with a Tyler Michaelson three before Fosston’s Ryne Duppong buried a long bomb, and the Greyhounds led 9-3 two minutes into the game.
Crookston answered with a 7-0 run behind two Hunter Nicholas free throws, an Isaac Thomforde three-pointer, and a Caden Boike layup for a 10-9 lead. Fosston responded with a 10-4 run over the next four minutes with four points each from Trevor Big and Will Christen and a basket from Kelton Gray for a 19-13 lead. Crookston, as they did all half long, had an answer with a Nicholas basket. Brannon Tangquist used his speed to get a steal, which led to a Winjum basket to bring the Pirates within a 19-17 deficit.
Fosston built a 25-19 lead with 4:43 left in the half, but Crookston finished the half with stellar defense and some pretty good offense. Winjum rattled home a three-pointer, Nicholas followed with a basket before Michaelson made a three-pointer with one second left for a 27-25 lead going into halftime.

SECOND HALF –
Crookston kept the momentum going in the second half as Isaac Thomforde scored the first points. The teams battled back-and-forth, and Crookston led 40-35 with 10 minutes left in the game. The Pirates pulled away a little more when Caden Boike scored four straight points, but Fosston responded with four points of their own to get within a 44-39 deficit. Crookston led 47-41 when Nicholas and Boike added two points apiece for a 50-41 lead. About a minute later, Crookston led 53-43 after a Michaelson three-pointer, and things were looking good for the Pirates with 3:40 left in the game. Fosston didn’t go down without a fight as they scored the next five points with a Will Christen basket followed by a Kelton Gray three-pointer to get within a 53-48 deficit. Crookston’s Winjum and Nicholas made one free throw each before Boushee scored three straight points to bring the Greyhounds within a 55-51 deficit with less than a minute left. Crookston’s Nicholas made two big free throws, and Crookston held on for a 57-53 victory.

Crookston improves to 1-5 on the year and will travel to Roseau on Wednesday, December 28. Fosston drops to 3-5 on the year.
J.V. – Crookston won 59-46

CLICK HERE for Crookston Head Coach Greg Garmen’s post-game comments.