FERTILE-BELTRAMI ROLLS PAST CROOKSTON BOYS BASKETBALL

The Crookston Pirate Boys Basketball team started what might be their toughest week of the season as they got behind early, and the Fertile-Beltrami Falcons cruised the rest of the way for an 81-42 victory in a game played in Fertile. Fertile-Beltrami is 10-1 and and beat #3 ranked Nevis on Saturday and will be ranked in the top 10 in Class A on Wednesday. The next game for Crookston will be hosting #7 ranked and undefeated Red Lake County on Thursday.

FIRST HALF-
Fertile-Beltrami started the game strong as they scored the first eight points of the game, with 6’5 sophomore Preston Hanson scoring the first two baskets, Derek Sorenson and Caiden Swenby (a UMC Men’s Basketball commit) adding two points apiece for an 8-0 lead. Crookston finally got on the board with a Hunter Nicholas basket over three minutes into the game. Fertile-Beltrami continued to build on their lead, taking a 16-5 lead when Crookston’s Nicholas scored his seventh point of the game, all the points for the Pirates, and they trailed 16-7. Fertile-Beltrami answered with a 9-0 run with a Sorenson three-pointer followed by six points from Cody Opdahl for a 25-7 lead with seven minutes left in the game. Fertile-Beltrami continued their outstanding passing, shooting, and defense and outscored Crookston 20-9 the rest of the half and took a 45-16 lead into halftime.

SECOND HALF-
Fertile-Beltrami started the second half by scoring the first four points with Hanson and Sorenson adding two points apiece for a 50-16 lead in the first minute of the half. Fertile-Beltrami led 52-22 when they forced Crookston into several turnovers and went on a 13-2 run. Opdahl, Swenby, and Sorenson scored two points apiece, and after a Crookston basket, the Falcons responded with a basket each from Swendby and Bryer Strem, and a three-pointer from Sorenson for a 65-24 lead. As the clock hit nine minutes remaining, running time began with Fertile-Beltrami leading 65-29. The Falcons played all 15 players with 11 scoring as they coasted to an 81-42 victory.

Crookston drops to 3-9 on the year and will host #7 ranked and undefeated Red Lake County (Red Lake Falls/Red Lake County Central0 on Thursday. Fertile-Beltrami, who will be back in the top 10 in the rankings on Wednesday improves to 10-1 on the year.
J.V. – Fertile-Beltrami won 42-34    C Squad – Fertile-Beltrami won 48-37

CLICK HERE for Crookston Coach Greg Garmen’s post-game comments.

For Fertile-Beltrami Coach Neil Steffes’ comments CLICK HERE.