CROOKSTON BOY’S BASKETBALL TURNOVERS COSTLY IN LOSS TO PARK RAPIDS

The Park Rapids Panthers took advantage of Crookston turnovers to spark runs at the start of the game and in the middle of the second half to beat the Crookston Pirate Boys Basketball team 71-59 in a Section 8AA game played in Crookston. 

FIRST HALF –
Crookston scored the first points of the game when Jack Garmen scored on a layup just shy of two minutes into the game.  Park Rapids responded with several steals for layups to go on an 18-1 run for an 18-3 lead with 9:37 left in the half. “It wasn’t a good start that is for sure,” said Pirate Coach Greg Garmen. “We didn’t take care of the ball and it wasn’t so much Park Rapids getting steals as it was us turning the ball over.” Garmen stopped the Park Rapids runs with another basket and after Park Rapids scored two points, Hunter Nicholas swished a three-pointer from the top of the key to get within a 20-8 deficit with less than eight minutes to go.  Park Rapids scored the next four points before Garmen added five straight points.  Park Rapids responded with a 13-0 run that was capped by a Nick Michaelson dunk for a 39-13 lead.  Crookston finished the half on a good note as they scored seven straight points in the final 25-seconds which was capped by a couple of free throws after the half ended because Tanner Giese was fouled on a half court shot. Giese made two of three shots to bring the Pirates within 39-20 deficit.  “That gave us a little spark, that is for sure,” said Coach Garmen. “Jack had a solid first half, Isaac battled inside and Tanner made the play at the end of the half to get us going into halftime.”

SECOND HALF –
Park Rapids scored the first four points before Crookston’s Hunter Nicholas responded with five straight points.  After a Park Rapids three-pointer, Nicholas scored another basket.  The Pirates kept the offense going after a steal Reggie Winjum left a nice pass to Jacob Hesby for a layup.  After another Pirate steal, Garmen rattle home a three-pointer to get within a 46-32 deficit five minutes into the half. “We started moving the ball around better and we took care of the ball,” said Coach Garmen. “That was good to see and I thought we took much better care of the ball in the second half.” Park Rapids answered with an 11-2 run for a 57-34 lead.  “That hurt,” said Coach Garmen. “We turned the ball over a few times in that stretch and that hurt us.”  Crookston’s Nicholas scored in the paint and was followed by two Garmen free throws.  After a Park Rapids steal and layup, Crookston’s Hesby made a three-pointer from the wing.  Park Rapids answered with a three-pointer before Garmen scored after a Hesby steal and Winjum followed with another basket to get within a 62-45 deficit with 6:20 remaining.  Park Rapids went to the bench and played everybody in the final six minutes while Crookston kept their starters in and the Pirates finished the game on an 8-1 run to get within a 71-59 deficit and that is how the game would end.  
Crookston Freshman, Hunter Nicholas had a career high 15 points and 6 rebounds in the game. “He had a good game tonight and was tough in the post for us,” said Coach Garmen. “He gives you a heart attack once in a while, but he played solid tonight and hopefully he can keep it up.”

Crookston drops to 3-15 on the year and will host Sacred Heart on Friday.  Park Rapids improves to 12-4 on the year. 

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