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Grizzlies sweep opponents in second week

Team finds its stride amid growing pains and a sidelining injury

Marcus White
Posted 12/12/18

NASHWAUK - The North Woods boys basketball team made quick work of both of their opponents this week. The Grizzlies easily downed Nashwauk-Keewatin on Tuesday evening, 88-61.

Early in the season, …

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Grizzlies sweep opponents in second week

Team finds its stride amid growing pains and a sidelining injury

Posted

NASHWAUK - The North Woods boys basketball team made quick work of both of their opponents this week. The Grizzlies easily downed Nashwauk-Keewatin on Tuesday evening, 88-61.

Early in the season, Head Coach Will Kleppe said the team would need to find its stride to cope with the graduation of some of its strongest players last year. But even with one of their senior players out on injury, the Grizzlies seem to have found their mark on the court.

“Trevor Morrison is out until after Christmas break from a hand injury,” Kleppe said. “Ian Sherman and Darius Goggleye have done outstanding jobs filling in.”

Goggleye would put up 24 points in Tuesday’s game, while his older brother Cade added 25 of his own as the Goggleye brothers single-handedly accounted for two-thirds of the team’s total offense.

T.J. Chiabotti also had a big night, putting up an additional 20 points to help the team cruise to a win.

While the team was up by 11 points at the end of the first half, Kleppe said it was after the break when the magic truly happened.

“Last night in the second half, we came out very aggressive,” he said. “We got to the free-throw line many times. That was the difference in the game.”

Last Saturday, the Grizzlies headed to the Twin Cities to face Mayer Lutheran at Hopkins High School.

Again the team came out on top, with a final score of 59-46.

Cade Goggleye again led the team with 25 points, adding six rebounds. The younger Goggleye, posted 12 points of his own with another six rebounds.

Sherman and Chase Kleppe rounded out the team’s scoring with seven points apiece.

The team now heads into one of its toughest weeks of the season, facing Ely on the road on Friday night.

“We have a big section opponent in Ely,” Kleppe said. “That is one that is certainly going to demand a good game. I expect it to be from both teams. Going into the Christmas break, we have three formidable games to deal with.”

On Monday the team hosts Esko before heading back on the road to face Lakeview Christian next Thursday.

While Kleppe is pleased with the direction the team is going, he said there is still room for improvement if the 4-1 team wants to finish the calendar year with a winning schedule.

“We have to develop more consistency in our shooting,” he said. “We need to focus more on defense and be more efficient on offense.”

Tipoff in Ely is at 7:15 p.m.