RICE LAKE TOOK ON DULUTH EAST IN BOYS' BASKETBALL GAME

Rice Lake took on Duluth East at the Target Center in the second game of the 2012 Minnesota Timberwolves Shootout.

University of Minnesota men's basketball coach Tubby Smith was in attendance to watch this game. He had his eye on Rice Lake senior guard Wally Ellenson who committed to play at the University of Minnesota.

Both teams took their time on the offensive end. They both wanted to get the feel of what the other team was doing.

Duluth East got the ball into the hands of Johnny Bernard Woodard. Woodard was all over the court. He was able to blow by his defenders and score easy baskets on lay-ups.

Rice Lake had a hard time hitting shots early on. They didn't get frustrated as they kept on shooing the ball.

Rice Lake took a timeout with 11:27 left in the first half. The score was Duluth East 16 and Rice Lake 4.

Rice Lake used a zone defense. The Duluth East players were able to drive through to the basket and weave their way between the defenders.

Duluth East shot the ball well in the second half. The guards were able to make shots.

Taylor Stafford for Duluth East got his teammates involved in the offense.

At halftime the score was Duluth East 44 and Rice Lake 27.

Rice Lake forward Alex Cuskey took the ball hard to the basket. He was able to get his shot to drop at the start of the second half.

Duluth East continued to feed Woodard. Woodard was all over the court. He had the ability to shoot the ball from anywhere he wanted to and he did just that.

Ellenson fouled out with about 5:00 left in regulation. He finished with 10 rebounds.

Duluth East came away with the 88-69 victory over Rice Lake.

I liked the way that Wally Ellenson played. He knew the game and he knew where his teammates were supposed to be on the floor. Ellenson did a good job of getting his teammates involved in the offense. I think that he will be a good asset to the University of Minnesota program.

The leading scorers for Duluth East were Johnny Woodard with 33 points, Taylor Stafford with 20 points, and Matt Lochner with 12points. They shot 34-63 from the field that included going 7-15 from behind the three-point line. They were 13-19 from the free throw line. They grabbed a total of 36 rebounds, 29 of them on the defensive end.

The leading scorers for Rice Lake were Alex Cuskey with 17 points, Henry Ellenson with 11 points, and Walley Ellenson with 9 points. They shot 28-64 from the field that included going 3-15 from behind the three-point line. They were 10-19 from the free throw line. They grabbed a total of 40 rebounds, 26 of them on the defensive end.