ESKO WENT UP AGAINST ST. CROIX LUTHERAN IN THE BOYS’ CLASS 2A STATE QUARTERFINALS

Esko and St. Croix Lutheran squared off at the Target Center in a boys’ Class 2A state quarterfinal game.

Both teams took a lot of time off the clock in the first half. They passed the ball around the 3-point line.

It took a while for both of these teams to get their shooting down. Neither team shot the ball well throughout the first half. They both took a lot of time off the clock.

Esko played mostly zone defense that made it difficult for St. Croix Lutheran to come up with quick shots.

Both teams took a lot of time off the clock and both teams played zone defense in the first half.

At halftime the score was St. Croix Lutheran 10, Esko 7.

As the second half got underway St. Croix Lutheran came out shooting the ball well. They were able to get the ball into the hands of Trenton Krueger who came up with mid-range jump shots and layups.

Both teams continued to take a lot of time off the clock in second half. St. Croix Lutheran’s Abe Lamu got to the basket and was fouled and came up with free throws midway through the second half.

Esko stepped up their defense with just under nine minutes left to go. They also were able to swing the ball around the 3-point line and keep feeding Nate Johnson the ball. Johnson came up with mid-range jump shots.

Both teams stepped up their offensive production in the second half. Esko did a good job of swinging the ball around the 3-point line and they came up with 3-point shots.

Neither team went on a huge run in the second half.

St. Croix Lutheran came away with the 37-35 victory over Esko.

The leading scorer for St. Croix Lutheran was Krueger with 18 points.

The leading scorer for Esko was Johnson with 13 points.

After the game I was able to talk to St. Croix Lutheran’s Krueger and head coach Jeff Wendland about the game.