Despite a 22-point performance from Pines senior Vienna Klemett, the Northland Pines girls basketball team fell just short, 37-30, at Three Lakes last Tuesday in the season opener.
Pines head coach Jaclyn Halsey said the team played well despite the low score, saying that every shot the team took in the first half was one she’d want to see again.
“We actually played stronger and more organized in the first half. Defensive rotations looked good in the shell. We had a ton of ball movement on the offensive side and were disciplined in staying wide when running cutters,” said Halsey. “Because of this, we gained a lot of opportunities to shoot the ball. Great looks at the rim, just couldn’t get one to fall. We had four buckets in the first half that spun in and out, which hurts in these tight games.”
Kaydence Brost also sprinkled in six points for Pines, while Ellie Smith finished with 6 steals and Ryley Darr had five rebounds.
It took time for both offenses to find a rhythm, but a missed opportunity offensively for the Eagles turned into a quick transition bucket for the Bluejays, who led 14-10 late in the first half. It was a 15-12 at the break before Klemett broke loose in the second half.
Three Lakes-Phelps extended the lead to double digits in the second half, 22-12, as the Jays got high-percentage looks. Pines was held scoreless for the first five minutes before Klemett hit nearly half of her six 3s in the second, as the Eagles stayed within striking distance at 26-17 with eight minutes to go.
“In the second half, we kicked some scoring up with a big help from Vienna who had to dig deep with long minutes on the floor,” explained Halsey.
The Jays kept responding offensively and kept the lead in hand for the remainder of the night.
Halsey said a few things became the difference between ultimately the loss and getting a win on the road.
“When we switched to a 3-2 zone at the half, I wanted to save us some legs, in hopes of having stronger finishes on the offensive end,” she stated. “You guys did well in your zone, but that was a drop off in energy and it reflected in the offensive end. I should have pulled us out of that sooner.”
She also stated that they lost by seven and the Eagles failed to convert on any of their eight free throws.
“Lastly, we lost by 7, with going 0-for-8 from the free throw line. We need to capitalize on those opportunities,” she said.
Pines was back in action with a home game versus Hurley this past Tuesday before opening Great Northern Conference play against Tomahawk at Northland Pines Friday, Dec. 6, at 7:15 p.m.
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