PIRATE BOYS BASKETBALL PULLS AWAY FOR A WIN OVER WAO

The Crookston Pirate Boys Basketball team used a 13-3 run in the second half to build a big lead and slowly pulled away for a 68-47 victory over the Warren-Alvarado-Oslo Ponies in a game played at the University of Minnesota Crookston’s Lysaker Gymnasium.

WAO took a 2-0 lead after a Gunner Jorgenson basket. Jorgenson is the son of former Crookston High School Principal Lon Jorgenson (now WAO Schools Superintendent. Crookston answered with a 6-0 run with a Walker Winjum steal and layup, a Caden Osborn offensive rebound and basket, and the sixth point was scored after a Nick Garmen rebound and outlet pass to Winjum who had a nice bounce pass to Osborn for another basket and a 6-2 lead.  WAO answered with a three-pointer and after a Nick Garmen free throw, the Ponies’ Brandon Miller converted a three-point play for an 8-7 lead.  Crookston regained the lead with a Brady Butt offensive rebound and three-point play. “We had some turnovers early and didn’t get many shots off,” said Pirate Coach Greg Garmen. “We had some kids that were taking some shots they probably shouldn’t have.” The teams were tied at 10, 13 and 18 before the Pirates went on a 7-0 run with a three-pointer from Jack Garmen and four points from Nick Garmen for a 25-18 lead with six minutes left in the half. “That was a big stretch,” said Coach Garmen. “The Ponies were right there, but we were fortunate to build a little lead there.”  WAO battled back with five straight points, but Crookston answered with a 9-3 run with seven points from Nick Garmen and two points from Jaden Lubarski and the Pirates led 34-26.   Crookston took a 36-28 lead into halftime.  “I thought we played better as the half went along and started pushing the ball up the floor,” said Coach Garmen. “We had some things we needed to improve on in the second half.”

Crookston led 40-35 a couple minutes into the second half when they went on a 13-2 run with five different players scoring.  In the run, Josh Bernia had five points, Nick Garmen also added five, Caden Osborn had a basket and Chris Kazmierczak added a free throw for a 53-37 lead halfway through the half.  Crookston continued to pull away as they seemed to wear down the Ponies and both teams were able to play their benches.  “It was good to get them in the game and get some varsity time,” said Coach Garmen. “We didn’t have a junior varsity game tonight so we were able to get some guys some minutes tonight and that was good.” One of the highlights towards the end of the game was Crookston’s Carter Bruggeman scoring his first varsity points on a layup and Crookston cruised to the 68-47 victory.  “We played better in the second half and it is always nice to get a win,” said Coach Garmen. “We told the kids it is fun to win.  That isn’t the most important thing, but it sure is fun to win.”
Crookston improves to 3-3 on the year and will travel to Roseau on Thursday, December 27.  Warren-Alvarado-Oslo drops to 0-6 on the year.