The Crookston Pirate Girls Basketball team used a 9-0 run to start the second half to build a double-figure lead and held on the rest of the way to beat the Virginia Blue Devils 56-43 in a game played at the Crookston High School gymnasium.
FIRST HALF –
Crookston started the game on a 7-2 run with three points from Kasey Cwikla and a basket apiece from Emma and Abby Borowicz. “We came out and executed right away,” said Coach Zimmerman. “We made some stops and were playing solid defense, and that helped get us going.” Virginia battled back to get within a 9-7 score six minutes into the game. Crookston responded with an impressive 15-4 run with Halle Winjum scoring five points, a three-pointer from Gretchen Theis, a basket from Emma Borowicz, two free throws from Cwikla and a free throw from Jenna Coauette for a 24-11 lead. Virginia scored the final four points of the half, and Crookston took a 27-19 lead into halftime. “We picked up our play on the offensive end and attacked their zone,” said Coach Zimmerman. “We had sharp, clean passes, and we finished in the half.”
SECOND HALF-
Crookston had a great start to the second half with a 9-0 run that was sparked by a Theis three-pointer, and Crookston led 36-19 with 11 minutes left in the game. “We didn’t execute very well on the offense to start the half,” said Coach Zimmerman. “The good news was we picked up our intensity on the defensive end and shut them down.” Virginia slowly chipped away at the deficit, but they never got closer than nine points (52-43), and Crookston held on for a 56-43 victory. “It was a good win. Virginia hit some shots late, and they got the ball to their big kid, and she made some shots,” said Coach Zimmerman. “Our girls had to work hard inside tonight, and Kasey Cwikla had a fantastic game on the defensive end, and Halle Winjum was a difference-maker every time she touched the ball tonight.”
Crookston improves to 11-2 on the year and will host Cass Lake-Bena on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. Virginia falls to 9-4 on the year.
J.V. – C Squad – Crookston won 49-9
| 1st | 2nd | Final | |
| Virginia | 19 | 24 | 43 |
| CROOKSTON | 27 | 29 | 56 |
| For Crookston | Points | Rebound | Steals/Assists |
| Halle Winjum | 13 | 5 | 2 steals |
| Kasey Cwikla | 11 | 4 | |
| Hayden Winjum | 10 | 4 | 3 steals |
| Gretchen Theis | 10 | 3 | 2 steals |
| Emma Borowicz | 6 | 3 | 2 steals |
| Abby Borowicz | 5 | ||
| Jenna Coauette | 1 |
| For Virginia | Points |
| Rian Aune | 14 |
| Lexi Trugg | 12 |
| Kelsey Squires | 8 |
| Halee Zorman | 3 |
| Anna Fink | 2 |
| Kaylee Iverson | 2 |
| Erin Haerer | 2 |
