EGF STARTS GAME ON 36-4 RUN AND CRUISES PAST CROOKSTON BOYS BASKETBALL

The Crookston Pirate Boys Basketball team didn’t know what hit them until halfway through the first half as the East Grand Forks Green Wave started strong and never let up as they cruised to an 88-52 victory in the first round of the Section 8AA tournament played at East Grand Forks Senior High School gymnasium.

FIRST HALF
East Grand Forks came out ready to play with a lot of energy and intensity on both sides of the floor, and they had their shooting eyes locked in and loaded as they jumped out to an 18-2 lead in the first five minutes of the game. The Green Wave used solid defense, tremendous shooting, and amazing ball movement to build the lead. They were led by Chase Lindgren, who scored eight points, four points apiece from Austin Rusling and Carson McDonald, and a basket from Drew Carpenter. Crookston finally scored the second basket of the game when Hunter Nicholas had an offensive rebound and putback, only to have EGF respond with an 18-0 run. The run was sparked by Lingren scoring the first five points, Rusling added five more, Jezrael Jones and Carson McDonald added four points each for a 36-4 lead. Crookston’s Isaac Thomforde stopped the run with two free throws, and after a Green Wave basket, Nicholas added two free throws. EGF scored four points before the Pirates’ Michaelson responded with five points to get within a 42-13 deficit with 4:22 left in the half. The teams played even the rest of the half, and EGF took a 51-21 lead into halftime.

SECOND HALF
East Grand Forks started the second half by scoring the first five points, with three different players scoring for a 56-21 lead. Crookston responded with baskets from Michaelson, Nicholas, and Winjum to get within a 56-27 deficit early in the half. Crookston trailed 64-34 before EGF went on a 12-2 run with four different players scoring to take a 76-36 lead with 8:58 remaining, and running time started with the Green Wave leading by more than 35 points and less than nine minutes left in the game. Both teams went to the bench late in the game, and EGF cruised to an 88-52 victory. 

Crookston’s season ends at 5-22 on the year, and they say goodbye to seniors Isaac Thomforde, Caden Boike, Brannon Tangquist, and Jaylin Lamb. East Grand Forks improves to 15-11 on the year and will travel to Barnesville on Saturday for the Section 8AA quarter-finals at 7:00 p.m.

CLICK HERE to listen to Coach Greg Garmen’s comments.