From left, the Voyageurs’ Jammere Carlisle (2) dribbles inside while being guarded by Fond du Lac’s Quantay Goods during Friday’s game in the Mesabi Range Tip-Off Classic.
From right, the Vikings’ Quin Vork (26) dribbles down the court while Evan Wimmer (2) sets up on defense during a recent practice in the Littlefork-Big Falls new gym.
Following last season’s 10-12 finish, which included three losses to nearby rival Bigfork, the Littlefork-Big Falls boys basketball team will be seeking to finish atop the Northern Lakes Conference standings in 2014-15.
The Vikings, the NLC runner-up with a 4-2 conference record, had entered the postseason going 5-1 in the final six regular-season games, before ending the 2013-14 campaign with their third loss to the conference-champion Huskies in the Section 7A Tournament.
Jeff Maish enters his ninth season as L-BF’s head coach with the key graduation losses from last season being guard Taylor DeLack, a 1,000-point career scorer, and center Jacob Franz, who averaged 12 rebounds per game and now plays for the Rainy River Community College men’s basketball team.
“Both players were key not only on the court, but also in the locker room as well,” Maish said.
Maish’s list of top returning players includes senior guard Rylan Henrickson, who enters the season 168 points shy of 1,000 for his high school career, along with three other seniors, guard Zach Simon and forwards Tommy Manninen and Evan Wimmer.
Maish said the strengths of this year’s team include a “never-quit attitude, speed (and a) great group of seniors who can pick up where Taylor and Jacob left off.”
Along with playing one game at a time, Maish said the team goals this season include being the conference champions and securing a top-three seed in the Section 7A playoffs.
He noted the teams to watch out for this season include Mountain Iron-Buhl and North Woods in the section and Greenway and Deer River in the conference.
The Vikings open the season at home Friday against Northome.
From right, the Voyageurs’ Renee Pantophlet (14) dribbles past Fond du Lac’s Taylor Klassen (30) during Friday afternoon’s game in the Mesabi Range Tip-Off Classic.
From right, the Broncos’ Jack Bartkowski shoots while Ben Humbert (44) looks on during a recent practice in the Falls High School gym.
After losing only one starter from last season to graduation, the International Falls boys basketball team will be seeking to go to the Class AA State Tournament in 2014-15.
Guard Cody Hallin, who averaged 8.3 points per game last season, was the only starter of the six players gone to graduation. The reserve players who graduated include guard Andrew Snyder, forwards Cory Netland, Paul Skoglund and Brandon Barras and center Ricky Fogelberg.
“All the seniors will be missed,” said Broncos head coach Derek Dowty, who is entering his sixth season in charge of Falls’ boys basketball program.
In 2013-14, the Broncos had an overall record of 13-14 and ended the season with a loss to Proctor in the Section 7AA quarterfinals.
Dowty’s list of top returning players includes the following three seniors:
- Forward Ben Humbert, who already holds the school records for career points (1,595) and rebounds (1,022). Last season, Humbert averaged 21.2 points, 14.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.9 steals per game.
- Forward Jack Bartkowski, who averaged 9.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.3 blocks per game.
- Guard Cole Miggins, who averaged 9.9 points and 3 assists per game.
With eight seniors on the roster, Dowty said this season’s team is strong in height, rebounding and depth. He is concerned the most about injuries.
He also noted this season’s team goals include winning the Arrowhead and Iron Range conferences as well as the Section 7AA title.
Dowty said the teams to watch out for this season include Virginia, Hibbing, Esko and Moose Lake/Willow River.
The Broncos open the season Friday at Deer River. Their first home game is Tuesday against Cloquet.
Mason
Meyer
The Fort Frances Lakers scored four power-play goals Saturday night when they defeated the English River Miners, 5-3, in Superior International Junior Hockey League action at Ear Falls Arena.
The Miners had the only two goals of the first period when Eric Champagne and Joel Warkentin each scored at 8:20 and 10:12, respectively.
Lakers forward Mason Meyer of International Falls then scored two power-play goals to tie the game at 2-2 in the second period, when Fort Frances outshot English River, 23-11, over those 20 minutes.
Miles Nolan opened the scoring for the Lakers in the third period with a power-play goal of his own at the 5:55 mark, assisted by Dylan Kooner and Matt Vela, before Miners forward Richard Dartnall tied the game at 16:04.
Fort Frances then took the lead for good when Nolan scored unassisted for his second power-play goal of the period with 2:39 left to play. Dylan Kooner netted his third goal of the season to seal the victory for the Lakers in the final minute on an empty-net effort. Total shots on goal favored Fort Frances, 39-25.
The Lakers don't return to action again until Nov. 25 they host the Dryden Ice Dogs at the Ice For Kids Arena.
SPORTS SCHEDULE
Thursday’s games
Girls hockey
Bemidji at I. Falls, 7:30 p.m.
Friday’s games
Women’s/men’s basketball
RRCC at Vermilion Tourney, 2/4 p.m
Boys basketball
Northome at L-BF, 7:15 p.m.
I. Falls at Deer River, 7:15 p.m.
Saturday’s games
Women’s/men’s basketball
RRCC at Vermilion Tourney, TBA
Girls hockey
Detroit Lakes at I. Falls, 3 p.m.
Women’s hockey
RRCC at NDSU, 7 p.m.
Sunday’s games
Women’s hockey
RRCC at NDSU, 9 a.m.
Monday’s games
Boys basketball
L-BF at Northland, 7:15 p.m.
Tuesday’s games
Boys basketball
Cloquet at I. Falls, 7:15 p.m.
Nov. 28 games
Boys hockey
Little Falls at I. Falls, 7:30 p.m.
