International Falls has already exceeded expectations in Derek Dowty’s first season.
After finishing 12-15 a season ago following a first-round exit in the Section 7AA tournament, the Broncos are hoping to grab their 17th win Thursday against Two Harbors in the first round of the this year’s section tournament.
Asked Monday what he expects from seventh-seeded Two Harbors, and Dowty was quick with an answer.
“They don’t have a big man, which helps,” he said.
The Broncos (16-10) have struggled all season stopping opposing post players, but a strong dedication to defense and a continuously improving offense helped International Falls grab the second seed behind Virginia in subsection 2.
The Broncos also defeated the Agates 57-41 back on Jan. 23, proving they should have the upper hand Thursday in the Falls High Gym. The Broncos had to hit the road last year in the first round.
“One game at a time,” Dowty said. “Every year in the playoffs it’s the same thing.”
Although this season could be much tougher. The Broncos potentially have a second-round matchup against Deer River, a team it narrowly beat Friday 69-64 at home in the regular season finale. Gunnar Anderson scored a team-high 17 points, Shawn Filipiak added 13 points and eight rebounds and Timmy Myles and Trevar Carlson scored 12 points apiece. Adam Potter dished out a team-high six assists.
After that, teams cross over into the opposing subsection, and all subsection 1 produced this season was six teams with a .500 record or better. Following top-seeded Braham (23-3) is Rush City (19-3), Moose Lake-Willow River (19-7) and Esko (17-9). Mora finished 14-12 and Pine City is 13-13.
Virginia (23-2), the Broncos and Deer River (13-12) are the only teams above .500 in subsection 2.
“We’re focused on Two Harbors and hopefully we’re ready to go,” Dowty said.
