CROOKSTON GIRL’S BASKETBALL CRUISES TO A WIN OVER THIEF RIVER FALLS

The Crookston Pirate Girl’s Basketball team, without two starters, continued their outstanding defense and shutout the Thief River Falls Prowlers for over 12 minutes of play in the first half and cruised to a 59-21 victory in a Section 8AA matchup at the Crookston High School gymnasium.  

FIRST HALF – 
Crookston scored the first points of the game on a Dani Boyle three-pointer, but Thief River Falls answered with six straight points and took a 6-3 lead with 14:43 left in the half.  “Offensively we weren’t in a rhythm out there,” said Pirate Coach Darin Zimmerman. “We had a hard time getting things going early.”  It looked like the Prowlers meant business to start the game, but that was before Crookston picked up the defensive pressure.  Crookston applied suffocating full-court pressure and it forced the Prowlers into turnover after turnover and the Pirates kept Thief River Falls scoreless for 12:21 and led 23-6 with three minutes left in the half.  In the 20-0 Pirate run, six different players scored (Kasey Cwikla, Dani Boyle, Jenna Coauette, Hayden Winjum, Halle Winjum, and Abby Borowicz). “When we are playing well we are playing good defense and we settled into the game and upped our play on both ends,” said Coach Zimmerman. “It was nice to have the balance we had.  Kasey and Dani got us going hitting some outside shots.  Abby gave us a spark off the bench too.” The teams exchanged baskets the rest of the half and Crookston took a 29-11 into halftime. “It was a good first half,” said Coach Zimmerman. “To hold a team scoreless for 12 minutes is always good and to hold them to 11 points was great.”

SECOND HALF – 
Crookston continued to tough defense and started the half on a 14-3 run behind five points from Hayden Winjum to lead the way to a 43-14 lead.  “Hayden had a solid game for us,” said Coach Zimmerman. “She was aggressive to start the second half and helped set the tone for us.” Crookston continued to turn Prowler turnovers into quick points and with about seven minutes left the Pirates took a 35 point (54-19) lead and the clock ran the rest of the game.  Crookston emptied the bench and coasted the rest of the way for a 59-21 victory. “We picked up our physicality and played with a little more aggression, especially on the boards. Everybody has stepped up with Emma and Gretchen not able to play.”

Crookston improves to 18-4 on the year and travel to Hawley on Tuesday.  Thief River Falls drops to 4-17 on the year.
C Squad – Crookston won 34-26