PARK RAPIDS SCORES 64 FIRST HALF POINTS AND CRUISES PAST PIRATE BOYS BBALL

The Park Rapids Panthers scored 64 first-half points and cruised to a 92-59 victory over the Crookston Pirate Boys Basketball team in a Section 8AA matchup at the Crookston High School gymnasium. 

FIRST HALF-
Crookston jumped out to a 4-0 lead with two offensive rebounds leading to baskets from Jack Everett and Hunter Nicholas. Park Rapids countered with an 16-2 run that started with a Blake Morris three-point play, a Noah Hanson three-pointer, and Ryan Carroll basket for an 8-4 lead. After a pair of Nicholas free throws, Park Rapids scored the next eight points, with Caroll scoring six and Noah Morris getting a layup, and the Panthers led 16-6 five minutes into the game.
Crookston stopped the run with a Jack Everett three-pointer and a Nicholas basket to get within a 16-11 deficit. Once again, Park Rapids responded with a run, this time a 10-2 run with five points from Noah Morris for a 26-13 lead. Park Rapids continued to dominate offensively as they led 42-25 with 3:50 left in the half. The Panthers ended the half on a 22-4 run behind Noah Morris’ eight points as Park Rapids took a 62-29 lead into halftime.
Park Rapids averaged over 3.5 points per minute and only had five three-pointers.

SECOND HALF-
Crookston started the second half with a Tyler Michaelson three-pointer before Park Rapids made back-to-back three-pointers for a 68-32 lead. Park Rapids took an 84-45 lead with over 11 minutes left in the game. Park Rapids went to the bench while Crookston kept the starters in for a while longer, and running time started with nine minutes left because the Panthers led 86-51 (35 points). With five minutes left, the Panthers led 86-54, and both teams went deep to the bench and played everybody that dressed. The highlight for Crookston was an offensive rebound and basket from Matthew Contreras, and a bit later, he buried a three-pointer for five points and a loud cheer from the Pirate crowd.
Park Rapids won the game 92-59. Noah Morris led Park Rapids with 29 pointsRy
Crookston made 12 of 15 free throws, with Hunter Nicholas making 10 of 11.

Crookston drops to 4-14 on the year and will travel to Wadena-Deer Creek on Friday for another Section 8AA game. Park Rapids improves to 13-6 on the year.
V – Park Rapids won 72-38      C-Squad – Park Rapids won 62-11

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