International Falls had already clinched the Arrowhead Conference title — its first since 2006 — but Tuesday’s 63-45 drubbing of Orr at the Falls High Gym gave the Broncos an undefeated season in Arrowhead play.
The Broncos (19-4) and Braves (15-3) entered Tuesday’s contest with impressive records, but International Falls left little doubt in the 18-point victory, which snapped a seven-game win streak for Orr.
The Broncos have won five straight.
Shawn Filipiak posted a double-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks, Trevar Carlson had a near double-double with 10 points, nine assists and three steals and Nick Bujold added 12 points.
“We came to play,” Bujold said.
Orr got a game-high 20 points from Jordan Villebrun, but most of the junior’s points came well after the outcome was decided. Alex Bruns had 12 points, Andrew Anderson scored nine points and Elijahjuan Dotts posted four points as only four Braves scored. They also finished 6 of 19 from the free-throw line.
The Broncos were coming off impressive wins over the weekend against Aitkin and Mora in Virginia. The Falls crushed Aitkin 88-50 on Friday before edging Mora 76-62 on Saturday.
Against the Gobblers (8-16), Carlson, Filipiak and Gunnar Anderson each scored 14 points, while Ethan Johns added 13 points. Every Bronco played, and Forrest Arch recorded his first four varsity points.
Kylan Hill led Aitkin with 13 points.
Four Mustangs finished in double figures — Bryce Oslin (18), Tyler Ulseth (11), Cody Nystadt (10) and Conner Kolberg (10) — but the Broncos outlasted Mora (6-17).
Anderson scored a game-high 20 points, while Carlson (13), Johns (11) and Filipiak (10) also finished in double figures. Carlson added six assists for the second-straight contest.
“It helped us roll into today,” Bujold said about the weekend victories.
The Broncos will get a No. 2 or 3 seed in the Section 7AA tournament depending on the outcome of the final regular season game at Deer River on March 4.
“I’m not expecting anything less than third round,” Bujold said. “But we want to get to state. We’ve been shooting for that since sixth grade.”
