DULUTH - North Woods senior center George Bibeau doesn’t save all of his big games for when the Grizzlies are taking on Mountain Iron-Buhl.

But when the two teams do meet, there has never been a shortage of motivation. And production.

Bibeau posted his sixth double-double of the season, and his third against the Rangers, in Friday’s Section 7A championship tilt in Duluth, helping guide the Grizzlies to a 70-55 victory.

The Rangers simply had no way to contain Bibeau, especially as North Woods began to pull away in the second half.

“I wasn’t expecting the ball any more than usual,” Bibeau said. “I just kept working hard and my teammates found me when I was open. Our job is to always work hard on the boards, and it paid off.”

Bibeau finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds, six coming on the offensive boards.

“George stepped up and had a big game for us,” North Woods head coach Will Kleppe said. “I expected him, as our only senior, to step up and lead this team.”

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s section championship, won by Mountain Iron-Buhl, making this victory extra sweet.

“I knew what it felt like to come up short against them last year and I didn’t want it to happen again,” Bibeau said. “Getting another shot at them in the championship made the win all the more important.

“I feel they have been a rival to us for most of my career. You always want to come out and play your best game against them.”

While the future is bright for the young Grizzlies roster, as the team’s lone senior, it was now or never for Bibeau to reach state.

“I was beyond happy and excited for both myself and my team as we made our statement that we earned the section championship,” he said.