The Northland Pines boys basketball team traveled to UW-Stevens Point during the holidays to play in the Sentry Classic and came away with two wins against Auburndale and Amherst. The first game was against a good Auburndale squad and the Eagles came away with a solid 44-38 victory. Pines started the game strong and held a 15-2 advantage through the first 8 minutes and led 23-11 at the break.
“We did a great job defensively to start the game and we pushed the tempo well on the offense,” said Pines coach Terry Klemett. "We didn't shoot the ball well, but we were able to get to the rim and go into the break up 12.”
In the second half, the Eagles pushed their lead to 36-14 with six minutes to play and eventually came away with an impressive 44-38 victory.
“We did a good job early in the second and built a large lead and then we got comfortable and gave them a chance to get back in it,” said Klemett. "I was pleased we were able to pull it out.” Mylo Albrecht led Pines with 11 points and nine rebounds. Jack Albrecht also had 11 points. In the second game of the weekend, the Eagles played a very good Amherst squad and pulled out a 53-32 victory.
Pines built an early 7-2 lead before Amherst went on a 12-0 run to take a 14-7 advantage. The Eagles then went on a run of their own to take a 29-16 lead at the break. “We did a phenomenal job on offense and defense in the first half,” said Klemett. "We made some great plays on both sides of the ball and played a great half.”
The Eagles extended their lead to 19 points in the second half and never looked back, taking the 21-point victory.
“I can’t say enough about the way we played this game,” said Klemett. "Our guys were focused and defensively it might have been one of the best I have seen in my time coaching here. Offensively we were patient and got good baskets.”
Mylo Albrecht had 18 points and 10 rebounds. Ethan Miller contributed nine points and 12 rebounds, Nolan Huelskamp had nine points and six rebounds, and Jack Albrecht had nine points.
The Eagles are now 6-2 overall and 2-1 in the Great Northern Conference (GNC). "I’m very proud of this team,” said Klemett. “They are a fun group to coach and we are getting stronger in our systems each day. These were two very good opponents and we got better over the weekend.
Northland Pines will travel to Division 1 Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln this Friday, Jan. 2., for another strong nonconference game starting at 7:15 p.m. The Eagles will be home Tuesday, Jan. 6, to take on GNC rival Lakeland at 7:15 p.m.
Rhinelander loss
Before the Sentry Classic, the Eagles played at Rhinelander in a GNC battle on Dec. 19, losing 60-55.
“This was a playoff type game and a playoff atmosphere,” said Klemett.
The Eagles took a 14-5 lead to start the game, and then Rhinelander went on a run, getting up 12 points late in the half. Pines made some plays late to cut the Hodags' lead to eight by halftime.
"I told our guys at the break that we were in a good position and we will make a run,” said Klemett. "We did a better job in the second half of running our stuff and defending even better. I was very pleased overall with our second half.”
The Eagles had a couple of breakdowns defensively late in the game and had some offensive opportunities, but just fell short. Mylo Albrecht led the Eagles with 24 points and nine rebounds, followed by Miller with eight points, and Huelskamp and Ryan Rydeski with six each. "Hats off to Rhinelander for playing a great game. This game will make us better and I know our squad is eager to get better.”
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