Shawn Gilbert and the Broncos got a playoff monkey off its back last season with a 56-37 win against Greenway in the opening round of the Section 7AA tournament — International Falls’ first playoff win under Gilbert in five seasons.
Now in Year 6, this year’s Section 7AA tournament, which begins tonight, is laid out nicely for a Broncos squad that grabbed a No. 2 seed despite a 13-12 record. It’s the best seed the Broncos have earned under Gilbert.
“We might not have the prettiest record, but we’re one of the better teams in our subsection,” Gilbert said Tuesday, on the eve of the Broncos’ opening-round playoff tilt at home against Proctor (5-20), the seventh seed.
If the Broncos win — something they’ve done in seven out of their past 10 games — they play either No. 3 Two Harbors or No. 6 Greenway (see bracket at right). International Falls lost to Two Harbors and defeated Greenway during the regular season.
“We’re set up for a good run,” Gilbert said.
The Broncos’ key all season has been an up-tempo style, and Gilbert wants to continue to develop a group that didn’t have a senior on its roster this year. Last year they finally won in the first round. This year?
“If we can get out and run, we definitely like our chances,” Gilbert said.
