Pelican Rapids uses big second-half run to beat Pirate Boys Basketball

The Crookston Pirate Boys Basketball team had a solid first half, but Pelican Rapids used a 24-0 run over a seven-minute span in the second half to beat the Pirates 77-40 in a Section 8AA game played at the Pelican Rapids High School gaymnasium.

FIRST HALF –
Pelican Rapids started the game strong as they went on an 8-2 run with the lone Crookston basket coming from Reggie Winjum. Crookston settled down and had an answer as Tyler Michaelson made two free throws and Jack Everett made a three-pointer to bring the Pirates within an 8-7 deficit over three minutes into the game. Pelican Rapids answered with a basket before Crookston’s Hunter Nicholas came off the bench and scored five straight points to give the Pirates a 12-10 lead with 12:13 left in the half. Pelican Rapids answered with a basket before Rylan Lubarski made a free throw for a 13-12 lead. After a Viking basket, Crookston’s Nicholas scored inside for a 15-14 lead with 10 minutes left in the half. Pelican Rapids started to wear down the Pirates with their in-your-face full-court pressure and outscored Crookston 23-9 in the final nine minutes of the half to take a 37-24 into halftime.

SECOND HALF –
Pelican Rapids took a 44-26 lead in the first two minutes of the half before Matthew Contreras and Nicholas scored baskets. After a Viking three-pointer, Nicholas answered with a basket. Pelican Rapids answered with a Channing Russman basket before Crookston’s Nicholas scored another basket in the paint. The basket exchange continued as Pelican Rapids’ Grady Larson scored before Crookston’s Winjum answered with a basket. After two Viking free throws, Crookston’s Contreras added a basket to bring the Pirates within a 53-38 deficit with 12:15 to go in the game. Pelican Rapids’ full-court pressure finally physically and mentally wore down Crookston as the Vikings went on a 24-0 run while turning turnovers into easy points to take a 77-38 lead with five minutes remaining. Crookston’s Tyler Michaelson finally got the Pirates on the board with a basket with 4:03 left in the game. With running time, nobody scored in the game’s final four minutes, and Pelican Rapids won 77-40.

Crookston drops to 0-1 on the year and will travel to Warroad for another Section 8AA matchup on Friday, a game you can hear on KROX Radio. Pelican Rapids improves to 1-0 on the year.
J.V. – Pelican Rapids won 50-11

Reggie Winjum

Hunter Nicholas

Jack Everett

Tyler Michaelson

Carter Fee

Matthew Contreras