RED LAKE COUNTY BOYS BASKETBALL FALLS TO WIN-E-MAC

The Red Lake County Rebels struggled shooting while the Win-E-Mac Patriots had no problems scoring on their way to a 69-54 victory in a Section 8A Boys Basketball game in Erskine. Win-E-Mac was led by their big two once again, with Justin Courneya (Concordia College Men’s Basketball commit) scoring 32 points and Ryan Kangas (Bemidji State Football commit) with 13 points and 21 rebounds.

FIRST HALF-
The first half was a fast-paced back-and-forth game, with Win-E-Mac’s Justin Courneya making a three-pointer on their first possession. Red Lake County’s Connor Duden responded with a basket before the Patriots’ Kangas made two free throws for a 4-2 lead. Red Lake County took the lead when Ethan Majerus made a three-pointer for a 5-4 lead three minutes into the game. Win-E-Mac responded with a 12-2 run for a 16-7 lead. Red Lake County’s Will Gieseke stopped the run with a three-pointer, and Majerus followed with another three before Ethan Johnson made a basket, and the Rebels trailed 16-15 with 6:41 left in the half.
Win-E-Mac led 25-23 with three minutes left in the half when they went on a 7-0 run with all seven points scored by Justin Courneya for a 32-23 lead. Red Lake County ended the half with a Gunnar Halvorson three-pointer to get within a 32-26 deficit going into halftime.

SECOND HALF –
It was a good start to the second half for Win-E-Mac as they scored the first seven points with three different players scoring for a 39-26 lead. Win-E-Mac led 46-36 when they went on a 10-0 run halfway through the second half for a 56-36 lead with 6:40 left in the game. Red Lake County stopped the run with back-to-back baskets from Duden. After a Joe Courneya three-pointer, the Rebels responded with a John Powers three-pointer and a Duden basket to get within a 59-45 deficit. Win-E-Mac answered with two free throws before Red Lake County’s Ben Gullingsrud and Owen Chervestad made three-pointers to get within a 61-51 deficit with two minutes left in the game. Win-E-Mac wouldn’t let Red Lake County to get any closer and held on for a 69-54 victory.

Red Lake County ends the regular season with a 24-3 record and will start the Section 8A Boys Basketball tournament on Thursday, March 7. Win-E-Mac ends the regular season with a 20-6 record, and they will start the Section 8A playoffs on Thursday, March 7.