MOORHEAD WENT UP AGAINST STILLWATER IN A BOYS' BASKETBALL GAME

On Nov. 27 Moorhead went up against Stillwater in a boys' basketball game. Moorhead started the game out in a zone defense. Stillwater countered in a man-to-man defensive front.

 

It took a while for each team to get into an offensive shooting rhythm. Each team tried to figure out what defense the other team was playing.

 

Stillwater guard Ben Ratte came up with mid-range jump shots and layups early. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.  

 

Moorhead’s Matt Bye made mid-range jump shots as his teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

 

Stillwater took a lot of time off the clock as they swung the ball around the 3-point line. They were able to attack the Moorhead zone defense.

 

Stillwater ran a motion offense as they set a lot of picks along the 3-point line. They did a good job of swinging the ball around the 3-point line as well. Post man Adam Bruggers called for the ball while he was on the low block. He looked to score layups.

 

There were many ties and lead changes throughout the first half.

 

Moorhead took their time on the offensive end. They swung the ball around the 3-point line to take time off the clock. Moorhead also was able to come up with fast break layups.

 

Moorhead called a timeout with 7:22 left in the first half. The score was Moorhead 14, Stillwater 13.

 

Stillwater’s Treshaun Daniels came off the bench and provided an offensive presence. He looked to run the offense.

 

Stillwater looked inside and came up with layups late in the half. They were able to slow down Moorhead on the offensive end.

 

Moorhead called a timeout with 1:04 left in the first half. The score was Stillwater 29, Moorhead 18.

That was the score at halftime.

 

As the second half got underway Stillwater continued to move the ball down the floor well and score layups in transition.

 

Moorhead continued to stay in a zone defense in the second half. They wanted to force Stillwater to take deep 3-point shots.

 

Stillwater called a timeout with 11:42 left in the second half. The score was Stillwater 45, Moorhead 26.

 

Stillwater’s Isaiah Dobson came up with deep 3-point shots midway through the second half.

 

Moorhead called a timeout with 9:53 left in the second half. The score was Stillwater 50, Moorhead 27.

 

Stillwater kept attacking the basket and coming up with layups. Stillwater was a little quicker than

Moorhead. Stillwater was able to attack the zone defense that Moorhead applied. Moorhead struggled shooting the ball.

 

Stillwater came away with the 62-36 victory over Moorhead.

 

I was joined by the Twin Cities Hoops Czar. Check out his thoughts of the Moorhead vs. Stillwater boys’ basketball game.

MOORHEAD WENT UP AGAINST ELK RIVER IN A FOOTBALL GAME

Moorhead and Elk River squared off in a football game in Elk River on Oct. 8.

 

Moorhead kicked off to start the game. Elk River started on their own 27-yard line. Elk River looked to move the ball down the field on their first drive of the game. Elk River looked to keep the ball on the ground early. The Moorhead defense stepped up and was able to frustrate the quarterback. Elk River used the running game a lot throughout the first quarter. Elk River quarterback Trent Pink looked to get his receivers and running backs involved in the offense.

 

Elk River turned the ball over on downs on their first drive. Moorhead took over on their own 25-yard line. Moorhead running back Michael Duginski looked to get the ball into his hands as he looked to get first downs.

 

Moorhead took a timeout with 3:43 left in the first quarter the score was tied at 0.

 

Moorhead’s Carter Howell came up with a 29-yard reception that resulted in a first down.

 

Moorhead’s Otis Weah found some big holes in the defense as he was able to pick up some big running yards. Moorhead receiver Carter Howell came up with a first down reception.

 

After one quarter of play the score was tied at 0.

 

As the second quarter got underway Moorhead looked to get into the end zone. Moorhead did this that with 11:34 left in the second quarter as Sam Grove found the end zone on a 1-yard run. The extra-point attempt was good.

 

With 11:24 left in the second quarter the score was Moorhead 7, Elk River 0.

 

Elk River took over on their over on their own 31-yard line. Elk River moved the ball down the field as they looked to keep the ball on the ground. Elk River had difficulties holding onto the ball. On 4th-and-long Elk River punted the ball.

 

Moorhead took over on their own 32-yard line. Moorhead used both the running and passing attack as they were able to get through the Elk River defense. Moorhead moved the ball down the field as they looked to get into the end zone. Moorhead’s Davante Delbrune ran 8 yards for a touchdown. The extra-point attempt was no good.

 

With 4:30 left in the second quarter the score was Moorhead 13, Elk River 0.

 

Elk River looked to move the ball down the field as they switched up their offense between the passing game and the running game. Elk River turned the ball over on downs.

 

Moorhead took over on downs near midfield.

 

Moorhead called a timeout with 1:37 left in the second quarter. The score was Moorhead 13, Elk River 0.

 

Elk River took over on an interception. They took over on the Moorhead 19-yard line. Elk River looked to get first downs on short passing routes.

 

After two quarters of play at halftime the score was Moorhead 13, Elk River 0.

 

Elk River kicked off to start the third quarter Moorhead took over on their own 31-yard line.

 

Moorhead kept the ball on the ground on their first drive as Malique Delbrune came up with some big runs that kept the chains moving. Hunter Brant came up with a 24-yard reception that put the ball on the 9-yard line. Moorhead’s Delbrune ran 9 yards for a touchdown. The two-point attempt was no good.

 

With 7:13 left in the third quarter the score was Moorhead 19, Elk River 0.

 

Elk River took over on their own 36-yard line. Elk River’s Sam Gibas came up with a huge run as he came up with a first down. Elk River found the end zone on a 1 yard as quarterback Tyler Pink came up with a touchdown. The extra point attempt was good.

 

With 4:49 left in the third quarter the score was Moorhead 19, Elk River 7.

 

Elk River recovered the onside kick. Elk River looked to march down the field and get back into the touchdown. Jack Kolar came up with a 6-yard rush that set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Kyle Ziemer. The extra-point attempt was good.

 

With 1:13 left in the third quarter the score was Moorhead 19, Elk River 14. That was the score after three quarters of play.

 

Moorhead’s Carter Howell came up with a 44-yard touchdown reception from Matt Bye, the extra-point attempt was good.

 

With 10:47 left in the third quarter the score was Moorhead 26, Elk River 14.

 

Elk River got their offense going in the fourth quarter. The defense of Moorhead stepped up as they were able to slow down the Elk River offense. Elk River turned the ball over on downs.

 

Moorhead took over on their own 24-yard line. Moorhead kept the ball on the ground as they looked to take time off the clock late in the fourth quarter.

 

Moorhead’s Alex Erickson came up with a 4-yard touchdown reception. The extra-point attempt was good. With 2 seconds left in the game the score was Moorhead 33, Elk River 14.

 

Moorhead came away with the 33-14 victory over Elk River.

MOORHEAD WENT UP AGAINST SIOUX FALLS ROOSEVELT IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

Moorhead and Sioux Falls Roosevelt squared off against each other in a boys’ basketball game.

Roosevelt looked to move the ball down the floor and score baskets in transition.

Moorhead had trouble scoring baskets in transition early in the first quarter.

Roosevelt was able to come up with fast break baskets late in the first quarter.

After one quarter of play the score was Roosevelt 24, Moorhead 8.

Roosevelt was able to get the ball into the hands of Pierce Mriden. Mirden did a good job of getting to the basket and was able to come up with mid-range jump shots.

Moorhead looked to get the ball into the hands of Shane Steckler. Steckler came up with layups and mid-range jump shots.

At halftime the score was Roosevelt 37, Moorhead 16.

Roosevelt came out of the halftime slow. They were not able to hit shots that they put up. They had trouble getting the ball in bounds and getting it down the floor.

Mriden continued to come up with big plays in the third quarter. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

After three quarters of play the score was Roosevelt 45, Moorhead 24.

Moorhead was able to get their offense going in the fourth quarter. They passed the ball around the 3-point line and got everyone involved in the offense.

Moorhead continued to pass the ball around the 3-point line and took a lot of time off the 35-second shot clock.

Sioux Falls Roosevelt came away with the 54-39 victory over Moorhead.

The leading scorer for Moorhead was Bye with 16 points.

The leading scorer for Sioux Falls Roosevelt was Mriden with 24 points.

MOORHEAD TOOK ON BUFFALO IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

Moorhead traveled to Buffalo high school for a boys’ basketball game on Nov. 28.

It took a while for each team to get into an offensive shooting rhythm. Both teams took a lot of time off the clock early.

Buffalo started in a zone defense. They wanted Moorhead to take deep shots.

Buffalo called a timeout with 11:52 left in the first half. The score was Moorhead 14, Buffalo 7.

Moorhead’s Shane Steckler was all the floor. He stepped up and knocked down deep three-point shots. The defense had a hard time slowing Steckler down.

Moorhead went to a zone defense. That made it difficult for Buffalo to hit shots. They had to swing the ball around the three-point line because they couldn’t attack the basket.

Buffalo called a timeout with 7:08 left in the first half. The score was Moorhead 30, Buffalo 12.

Moorhead continued to look to get the ball into the hands of Steckler. Moorhead’s Leif Engen came up with steals and was able to make layups off the steal.

Buffalo continued to take the ball hard to the basket late in the first half. They were able to get steals and convert on the offensive end.

Moorhead called a timeout with 1:43 left in the first half. The score was Moorhead 38, Buffalo 21.

Moorhead took a lot of time off the clock as they swung the ball around the three-point line.

At halftime the score was Moorhead 38, Buffalo 23.

Moorhead continued to pass the ball around the three-point line and looked to get the ball into the hands of Steckler.

Buffalo’s Jared High and Matt Laidlaw shot the ball well. They weren’t afraid to shoot the ball if they thought that they had open looks at the basket.

Moorhead continued to get steals in the zone defense.

Buffalo called a timeout with 12:32 left in regulation. The score was Moorhead 49, Buffalo 28.

Buffalo looked to score quick layups as they attacked the basket midway through the second half.

Buffalo called a timeout with 10:10 left in regulation. The score was Moorhead 53, Buffalo 32.

Buffalo did a job of getting everyone involved in the offense.

Moorhead’s Cody Dorow also got hot late in the game. He was able to step up and knock down mid-range jump shots. Dorow was also able to hit layups as well.

Moorhead continued to get the ball into the hands of Steckler and Dorrow. The defense had a difficult time guarding them.

Moorhead came away with the 74-53 victory over Buffalo.

The leading scorer for Buffalo was Laylawd with 9 points.

The leading scorers for Moorhead were Streckler with 29 points and Dorrow with 24 points.  

Steckler had a great game he was able to put his team on his back and carry them throughout the game. Dorrow also played well for Moorhead.

Laidlaw came up with some huge baskets for Buffalo.

After the game I was able to talk to Moorhead’s Streckler and Dorrow about the game. I was also able to talk to Moorhead coach Corey Zimmerman about the game.

Boys Basketball: Warriors bounce back with gritty victory

By Mike Bialka

 If there was any question about how Brainerd would respond after suffering its first loss of the season, the Warriors answered it Saturday afternoon against the Elk River Elks.

Following a 5-hour round trip bus ride in sub-zero temperatures Friday, the Warriors bounced back less than 20 hours later with a gritty 57-36 win in a Section 8-4A game at Brainerd High School.

Friday night, Moorhead snapped the Warriors’ 14-game season-opening win streak. Brainerd let an 18-point lead slip away and allowed the Spuds’ Aaron Lien to go off for a school-record 53 points.

“We really wanted to come out and show that we still had some talent and that we still are a good team,” said Warriors post Marcus Comstock, who scored 16 of his hard-fought, game-high 20 points in the second half.

The contest was far from fluid as it was disrupted by 38 fouls (26 on Elk River) and 59 turnovers (31 by the Elks).

“We knew they were going to be a physical team,” Comstock said. “We came out and we just played physical with them.”

Turnovers and fouls had to affect shooting percentages as Brainerd shot just 40 percent and the Elks 30 percent.

“Our kids were tired, no question we were tired. You could see it in the locker room, you could see it in our shootaround,” Warriors coach Scott Stanfield said. “We just talked about great teams, good teams, they just find a way. Even when you’re tired and sore and nicked up, you’ve got to find a way to play with energy, and they did. I can’t be happier with our kids.”

Stanfield was pleased with his team’s smothering, swarming defense. Brainerd’s occasional full-court pressure perturbed the Elks. The Warriors also deflected, and recovered, several entry passes into the paint. 

Elk River made just 8 of 29 baskets in the second half, 14 of 47 in all.

“We watched them a couple times, they’re a very good team,” Stanfield said. “We’re happy that our kids came to play defense. They moved their feet and slid over. Our cross-down action on defense was much better than it was at Moorhead.

“It was a point of emphasis during our walkthrough and shootaround (Saturday) morning, that we needed to do that better, and the kids took that upon themselves and challenged themselves and really did a nice job.”
Trailing 29-15 at the half, the Elks three times in the second half pulled within seven points, but each time Brainerd responded.

Brainerd led 44-36 when it salted the win away with a resounding 13-point run to end the game. Jack Sauer scored seven of his 18 points in Brainerd’s game-ending burst.

“This definitely was a boost to the morale of our team,” Comstock said.

In the first half, Brainerd made only 35 percent of its field goals and the Elks 33 percent.

A laborious, deliberate pace in the game’s first eight minutes, and a 10-9 Elk River lead, was transformed into a 23-10 Brainerd edge following a 14-point Warrior surge. Six of those points came at the foul line, 11 off of turnovers.

Elk River was scoreless for more than eight minutes during the Warriors’ spree. Clay Elrod’s free throw with 1:43 left finally ended the drought.

The victory vaulted Brainerd into the lead in the section according to the Quality Results Formula (QRF). Brainerd now has a 232.1 QRF, followed by Elk River’s 220.8. Brainerd improved to 6-1 against section opponents, the Elks slipped to 3-1.

“I don’t know how it works, but we always seem to get the short end of that (QRF),” Stanfield said. “Beating them helps. Every win they pick up, I understand, will help us somehow. How? I don’t know.”

THE SPUDS OF MOORHEAD TOOK ON THE PANTHERS OF LAKEVILE NORTH IN A QUARTERFINAL OF THE BOYS' STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

The Moorhead Spuds who came into the game with a record of 18-9 took on the Lakeville North Panthers who came into the game with a record of 28-1.

It took a while for each of these teams to get acclimated to the floor and the game. The score went back and forth at the start of the game.

Moorhead strung some baskets together and they were able to get up 12-7 with 10:23 left in the first half.

Lakeville North went to a man-to-man defense. They didn't want to give up easy shots. Both teams looked to score baskets in transition.

Moorhead called a timeout with 6:17 left in the first half. The score was Moorhead 18 and Lakeville North 16.

Austin Nelson for Moorhead was all over the floor. On the offensive end he was able to hit shots. He was not afraid to shoot the ball from anywhere on the floor.

In very competitive and closely contested contest the halftime the score was Moorhead 29 and Lakeville North 26. Moorhead shot 11-25 from the field that included going 5-10 from behind the three-point line. They were 2-4 from the free-throw line. Lakeville North was 8-21 from the field. That included going 1-7 from behind the three-point line. They were 9-11 from the free-throw line.

Moorhead kept on getting to the basket. Lakeville North didn't back down. The score went back and forth throughout the second half.

Both teams looked under control on the floor. They were patient and let the game come to them. They didn’t rush their shots.

I liked how Lakeville North's Tyler David played. He played with a lot of heart and emotion. He came in and gave his team energy on both ends of the floor.

Neither team gave up. They each made good plays on both ends of the floor. Both coaches coached with a lot of emotion and pride.

The score went back and forth late in the game. Lakeville North came away with the 61-55 victory over Moorhead.

The leading scorers for Moorhead were Aaron Lien with 15 points and Austin Nelson with 14 points. Moorhead was 20-46 from the field. That included going 8-18 from behind the three-point line. They shot 7-10 from the free-throw line. Moorhead brought down a total of 25 rebounds 18 of them on the defensive end.

The leading scorers for Lakeville North were Ryan Saarela with 13 points and Grant Erickson with 11 points. Lakeville North shot 20-48 from the field that included going 4-15 from behind the three-point line. 

MOORHEAD SPUDS TOOK ON MINNEAPOLIS DE LaSALLE ISLANDERS IN A BOYS' BASKETBALL GAME

The Moorhead boys' basketball team traveled to Minneapolis for a basketball game against Minneapolis DeLaSalle Islanders. Going into the game DeLaSalle had a record of 19-5 and Moorhead had a record of 15-8.

DeLaSalle made their first few shots to take a quick 6-0 lead. This prompted Moorhead to call a timeout so the team to gather their composure. The game was only 3:41 old when Moorhead call their timeout.

The Spuds looked to get the ball into the hands of Aaron Lien. Lien had been their go to guy throughout the season and so the Spuds stayed true to form while the Islanders looked to get the ball into the hands of Luke Scott. Luke had been one of the top scores for the Islanders all year.

Troy May Jr. took the ball hard to the basket for DeLaSalle. He stepped up and hit a few shots. On the defensive end he proved to be a valuable defender. The Islanders went on a run late in the first half which prompted Moorhead to call a timeout with 5:56 left in the first half. The score was DeLaSalle 25 and Moorhead 17.

For the remainder of the first half Lien was all over the court which allowed him to keep his team in the game. The Islanders scored 14 more points while the Spuds only managed to score 6 more before the half. The halftime the score was Minneapolis DeLaSalle 39 and Moorhead 23.

DeLaSalle's Reid Travis was ready to play in this game. His presence was felt on both ends of the court. His teammates did a good job of finding him for scoring opportunities. He was able to score from both inside and from behind the three-point line.

The spuds were simply outmanned throughout the game. They called a timeout with 14:24 left in regulation. The score was DeLaSalle 50 and Moorhead 28.

The Islanders went to a full court press and that gave Moorhead significant problems in running their offense. The Spuds were not able to handle the DeLaSalle pressure. Moorhead called a timeout with 11:16 left in regulation. The score was DeLaSalle 58 and Moorhead 31.

Despite some nifty plays on the part of the Spuds, they simply did not have the talent to play with the Islanders. De LaSalle’s athleticism led to many fast-break opportunities.

The Islander proved to be too much to handle on both ends of the court for the Spuds to handle. As a result they came away with the 79-39 victory over Moorehead.

The leading scorers for DeLaSalle were Reid Travis with 30 points, Luke Scott with 14 points and Jarvis Johnson with 9 points. The leading scorers for Moorhead were Aaron Lein with 14 points and Austin Nelson contributed 13 points.

WAYZATA TOOK ON MOORHEAD IN THE CLASS AAAAA STATE BOYS' FOOTBALL QUARTERFINAL STATE GAME AT ST. CLOUD STATE

The Wayzata Trojans took on the Moorhead Spuds in the quarterfinal game of the Minnesota State High School League. Wayzata came into the game with a record of 10-0. Moorhead came into the game with a record of 8-3.

Wayzata kicked off to Moorhead to get the game started. Moorhead took their time as they used a lot of time off the play clock. They wanted to slow the game down so they wouldn't snap the ball until there were two or three seconds left on the clock.

Moorhead called a timeout with 8:22 left in the first quarter.

Wayzata got the ball back on a punt. Wayzata kept the ball on the ground. The running backs for Wayzata got a workout as they are a fast running team.

Nick Martin the quarterback for Wayzata also looked to throw the ball. He was able to switch up the plays. Wayzata threatened to score late in the quarter. Nick Martin found Ethan Zeidler for a Wayzata touchdown. The extra point attempt was good.

With 2:35 left in the first quarter the score was Wayzata 7 and Moorhead 0.

Moorhead got the ball back after the Wayzata touchdown.

Wayzata's Nick Martin found Jeff Borcardt in the end zone for a touchdown with 29.8 seconds left in the first quarter. The extra point attempt was good.

At the end of the first quarter the score was Wayzata 14 and Moorhead 0.

Moorhead got the ball to start the second quarter. Moorhead was not able to get a first down and they gave the ball back to Wayzata.

Moorhead was able to put a lot of pressure on the Wayzata quarterback Nick Martin. That made Nick rush his passes.

Moorhead used some trick plays as they wanted to get Wayzata off balance. Wayzata's Chris Pierson intercepted a pass and he found the end zone for a 60 yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt was good.

With 7:13 left in the second quarter the score Wayzata 21 and Moorhead 0.

Moorhead got the ball back after the touchdown. Moorhead called a timeout with 4:09 left in the second quarter.

Alex Carlson for Wayzata got an inception and ran it in for a touchdown. The extra point attempt was good. With 52.2 seconds left in the second quarter the score was Wayzata 28 and Moorhead 0.

Wayzata went for an onside kick and they recovered it.

At halftime the score was Wayzata 28 and Moorhead 0.

On the first drive of the third quarter Antonio Ford ran in a 90 yard run for a touchdown. The extra point attempt was good. 

With 11:40 left in the third quarter the score was Wayzata 35 and Moorhead 0.

Moorhead got the ball back after the touchdown. Moorhead was not able to get a first down and Wayzata got the ball back and they punted the back to Moorhead.

Moorhead threatened to score midway though the third quarter. Moorhead found the end zone on a Chace Morlock touchdown run. The extra point attempt was good.

With 6:56 left in the third quarter the score was Wayzata 35 and Moorhead 7.

Wayzata's Antonio Ford picked up major yardage for a Wayzata first down. Brandon Lingen scored a Wayzata touchdown with 4:52 left in the third quarter. The extra point attempt was good.

Wayzata's Nick Martin found Antonio Ford found the end zone again for a touchdown. The extra point attempt was good.

After that touchdown the score was Wayzata 49 and Moorhead 7. That was the score at the end of the third quarter.

Moorhead's Jacob Uglem scored a touchdown with 1:04 left in the fourth quarter. The extra point attempt was good.

After four quarters of play the score was Wayzata 49 and Moorhead 14.

Wayzata got the ball to start the fourth quarter. They punted the ball on fourth down and six yards to go.

Moorhead tried again to make a run at the end zone midway though the fourth quarter. They were not able to however. They turned the ball over on downs on fourth and 14 yards to go.

After the game I was able to talk to Antonio Ford, Nick Martin, and head coach Brad Anderson. Antonio Ford talked about, Hounding the ball and eating up the clock. Excited about going to the Metrodome. Nick Martin said that he was, “lucky to be a part of this team.” Brad Anderson said, “Getting to state is always speical.” and “Nick Martin, Andonio Ford played well for us tonight.”