The Crookston Pirate Girls Basketball team fought hard but could not overcome an early deficit to the Thief River Falls Prowlers, who won 71-49 in a Section 8AA matchup at the Crookston High School gymnasium Thursday night.
FIRST HALF –
Crookston started off behind the eight ball as the Prowlers jumped out to a 13-2 lead to open the game. Crookston had early points from Chloe and Grace Boll to keep themselves in it, but the Pirates struggled to get good shots. The shots the Pirates had weren’t dropping, and those of Thief River Falls did. Both teams struggled with fouls, as each team was in the bonus for the final few minutes of the half. As a team, the Pirates went 10 of 17 from the free throw line in the half, whereas the Prowlers were 9 of 13 in the opening half. Defensively, the Prowlers forced multiple turnovers that resulted in a couple of big scoring runs. Crookston’s first half answers were limited, as they only made four field goals in the half, and faced a 50-20 deficit at halftime.
SECOND HALF –
The Pirates came to life offensively in the second half, and matched TRF shot for shot coming out of the locker room. Crookston was better at the free throw line in the second, and big halves from Chloe Boll and Joey Nesseth kept the energy up for Crookston. On the defensive end, the Pirates won more rebounds, as Madi Bruggeman, Nesseth, Boll, and Naomi Johnson found success in the paint. The Pirates outscored TRF 29-21 in the half, and The Prowlers lead proved to be insurmountable. Both teams let their reserves finish the game, as Thief River Falls rolled to a 71-49 victory.
Crookston is now 5-9 on the year and will face Menagha on the road on Saturday. Thief River Falls is now 10-3 on the season.
J.V. – TRF won 47-45
1st | 2nd | Final | |
Thief River Falls | 50 | 21 | 71 |
Crookston | 20 | 29 | 49 |
For Crookston | Points | Rebounds | Assists/steals |
Chloe Boll | 21 | 8 | 3 assists/1 steal |
Joey Nesseth | 13 | 5 | 1 assist/1 steal/1 block |
Madi Bruggeman | 6 | 7 | 1 assist |
Grace Boll | 5 | 3 | 2 assists |
Brooklyn Waldal | 2 | 1 | 2 assists |
Nora Groven | 2 |
For Thief River Falls | Points |
Josie Peterson | 20 |
Anayah Fields | 11 |
Taylor Berg | 11 |
Piper Greene | 10 |
Jerlyn Lunsetter | 9 |
Karena Bakken | 6 |
Braylee Weenen | 2 |
Livia Thibert | 2 |







