The Crookston Pirate Girl’s Basketball team used its stellar defense and solid shooting and started the game on a 32-0 run and they cruised the rest of the way for a 71-24 victory over the Red Lake Falls Eagles in a game played in Crookston. Crookston has started the last two games by outscoring their opponents by a 60-2 score in the first nine minutes of each game.
FIRST HALF –
Crookston’s Emma Osborn had a steal and a layup to set the tone for the game and a 2-0 lead. Ally Perreault followed with a basket in the paint to force a Red Lake Falls timeout one minute into the game. After the timeout, Abby Borowicz scored on a no-look wrap-around pass from Halle Winjum. Halle would follow up the beautiful pass with a three-pointer of her own and then a layup for an 11-0 lead. Osborn followed with a three-pointer, Halle Winjum had a steal that led to a three-point play and a 17-0 lead to force Red Lake Falls into another time out with 14:38 left in the half. After the time out, Hayden Winjum followed with a basket, Perreault added two more points. Osborn, Hayden Winjum, and Jenna Coauette added back-to-back three-pointers including a bank shot from Coauette. The run wrapped up with a Perreault basket and a 32-0 lead. “That was a great way to start the game with good shooting, good defense, good ball movement,” said Coach Zimmerman. “It was great team basketball with multiple kids doing different things and it was our best transition we have played so far this year.”
Red Lake Falls finally got on the board when Brooklyn Cardinal made a free throw with 8:46 left in the half. Crookston played all the players that dressed in the half and took a 45-11 lead into halftime. “We wanted to have the girls continue to play solid basketball,” said Coach Zimmerman. “We wanted the girls to defend the ball up and down the court. The girls played well and it was by far the best half we have played this year.” Crookston only committed one turnover to Red Lake Falls’ 22 turnovers in the half.
SECOND HALF –
Crookston started the second half on a 9-0 run with a Halle Winjum three-pointer, and a basket each from Perreault, Abby Borowicz, and Halle Winjum for a 54-11 lead. “It was nice to have some good intensity to start the second half,” said Coach Zimmerman. “It is key to start each half playing well and executing to get the momentum in your favor right away.” After a Red Lake Falls basket, Crookston answered with another Halle Winjum three-pointer, two Hayden Winjum free throws, and an Osborn free throw for a 69-13 lead four minutes into the half. Crookston went to the bench the rest of the game and running time started with Crookston leading 66-24. Only seven points were scored in the final seven minutes of the game and Crookston held on for a 71-24 victory. “I thought both teams did a good job of running through our offense and we both had some shots that didn’t fall,” said Coach Zimmerman. “It was our best game of the year so far and it was a complete team effort.”
Crookston improves to 2-1 on the year and will host Warroad on Friday. Red Lake Falls to 1-3 on the year and will host Warren-Alvarado-Oslon on Thursday.
| 1st | 2nd | Final | |
| Red Lake Falls | 11 | 13 | 24 |
| CROOKSTON | 45 | 26 | 71 |
| For CROOKSTON | Points | Rebounds | Assists/Steals |
| Halle Winjum | 16 | 2 | 4 assists/5 steals |
| Emma Osborn | 15 | 2 | 3 steals |
| Abby Borowicz | 10 | 2 | 2 assists/2 steals |
| Hayden Winjum | 9 | 3 | 4 assists/6 steals |
| Ally Perreault | 8 | 4 | 2 steals |
| Jenna Coauette | 4 | 2 | |
| Amelia Overgaard | 3 | ||
| Libby Salentine | 2 | ||
| Bailey Cameron | 2 | ||
| Ellie Neseth | 2 |
| For Red Lake Falls | Points |
| Brooklyn Cardinal | 8 |
| Gabby Casavan | 6 |
| Shandi Nelson | 2 |
| Alexis Swendra | 2 |
| Savannah Nelson | 2 |
| Hailey Broden | 2 |
| Grace Harmoning | 2 |
