The Crookston Pirates Boys Basketball team traveled to Roseau on Tuesday afternoon for a game against Section 8AA opponent the Roseau Rams. The game was played in the Roseau Elementary Gym. Both teams were looking for a much-needed win, but it was the Pirates that used a hot start and big first-half run on their way to a 67-47 victory. “I thought we were able to get a few guys going early, and then other guys were able to step up,” said Pirates Head Coach Greg Garmen. “There was a lot to like and one of the keys to the game is making shots, and we were able to do that.”
FIRST HALF –
The teams traded a few baskets in the first couple of minutes of the game before the Pirates went on a 20-2 run to take a 27-7 lead, never looking back. The run included a few three-pointers from Jack Garmen and baskets from Jacob Hesby and Isaac Thomforde. Jack Garmen was in a groove the entire first half, scoring 19 points as he continued to help build the Crookston lead to 39-9 with just a few minutes remaining until halftime. The Rams responded with a 7-0 run of their own before a Reggie Winjum three at the buzzer gave the Pirates a 42-16 lead heading into halftime. “I had a good look at that shot, and it looked like it was going to go in the whole way,” said Pirates Head Coach Greg Garmen. “That was a big shot to help swing the momentum back our way.” The Pirates played seven players in the first half, and all of them found the scoreboard.
SECOND HALF –
Crookston came out and started the second half on a 15-8 run to build their largest lead at 57-24 with 11:42 remaining in the game. Crookston continued to share the basketball well and racked up 18 assists by the end of the game. “That’s the best we’ve shared the basketball all season,” said Pirates Head Coach Greg Garmen. “I’ll have to look at the stats but that is probably close to as many as we’ve had all season. It makes it easy on yourself when you’re able to do that.” Roseau would outscore the Pirates 23-10 the rest of the way, but the Pirates had already built up a big enough lead to would walk away with a 67-47 win. “There were a lot of good things, but I thought we could’ve rebounded better in the second half,” said Pirates Head Coach Greg Garmen. “I thought we gave up too many good looks towards the end and that will be something we work on as we get ready for Thursday now.”
Crookston improves to 2-5 on the season and will be back in action on Thursday when they play Norman County East/Ulen-Hitterdal in a game that will be played in Twin Valley. The tip-off is set for 2:30 p.m. and the game can be heard on KROX following the conclusion of the Crookston Boys Hockey game vs Rock Ridge. Roseau falls to 0-8 with the loss.
| 1st | 2nd | Final | |
| CROOKSTON | 42 | 25 | 67 |
| Roseau | 16 | 31 | 47 |
| For CROOKSTON | Points | Rebounds | Assists/Steals |
| Jack Garmen | 22 | 9 | 5 assists/2 steals |
| Jacob Hesby | 14 | 4 | 3 steals/2 assists |
| Isaac Thomforde | 9 | 1 | 1 steal |
| Ryan Abeld | 7 | 7 | 3 assists |
| Reggie Winjum | 7 | 2 | 3 assists/1 steal |
| Hunter Nicholas | 6 | 1 | 1 block |
| Tanner Giese | 2 | 4 | 5 assists/1 steal |
| For Roseau | Points |
| Wyatt Aronson | 18 |
| Steele Walsh | 11 |
| Jake Borowicz | 8 |
| Gunnar Lund | 4 |
| Jordan Borowicz | 3 |
| Oliver Nelson | 3 |
