ELY – The Timberwolves dominated Greenway here on Tuesday night as they relied on a solid defensive performance to keep the Raiders in check, 62-28 to improve to 2-1 on the young season.
“We played great team defense,” said Ely Head Coach Max Gantt. “(The players) trusted each other and moved the ball well on offense. We played with focus and discipline on both ends and hope to be able to continue to build on this win as it has been the best we’ve looked so far.”
Tuesday’s win came on the heels of a tough loss to Two Harbors on Saturday. The Agates’ Karly Holm dominated play throughout the match, using slap steals and breakaway layups to pour in 30 points as she led her team to a 66-47 win in Ely.
“We struggled getting to the basket and getting open,” remarked Gantt about the game afterward. “We turned the ball over because of it and they got some easy buckets in transition off our turnovers and bad shots. It’s only game two, so we know we need to get better, and we will improve.”
Ely’s Madeline Perry led scoring for the Wolves, with 14 points, while Grace LaTourell tallied 13.
The junior varsity contest with Two Harbors did have a notable moment at the very end, when Ely’s Lydia Schultz connected on a last-second Hail Mary from mid-court to give Ely a 43-41 victory.
The Wolves varsity looked solid in their home opener against Nashwauk-Keewatin last Thursday.
“We won our first game 66-31 against Nashwauk Keewatin. We had a strong first half and a slow second half, but it was a good first win and our first home game,” said Gantt.