Put two teams together on a basketball court that like to run the floor and you have the ingredients for an entertaining night of high school hoops.
That is exactly what local fans were treated to Saturday, Dec. 16, in Cloquet when the Fond du Lac Ogichidaag took on Red Lake in a game the Warriors won 87-79.
"We were playing good basketball in the first half, with not too many turnovers," FDL coach Earl Otis said. "We played good defense in the first half as well."
The Ogichidaag took a 38-28 halftime lead as they protected the basketball and kept the Warriors' high-octane offense in check. That changed in the second half, when the Warriors picked up their intensity and outscored the Ogichidaag 59-41.
Leading the way for the Warriors were Jaden Wood and Andre Harrison with 20 points each, followed by Evan Johnson in double digits with 16 and Franke Clark with 10. Cole Cobenais added nine points, Jale Kelly had five, DJ Holtusen had four and Mike Seki chipped in two points.
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Another key in the game was outside shooting. Red Lake hit 12 long-range shots compared to six for the Ogichidaag.
"Wood had all of his points in the second half," Otis said. "Red Lake just got hot in the second half."
Jason Fineday scored 19 points and Uriah Aubid had 17 to lead the Ogichidaag. Also in double-digit scoring for FDL were George LaPrairie with 15 points and Jalen Paulson with 10. Eddie Defoe made four points and Jordan Brown scored two.
"George LaPrairie had all of his 15 points in the second half and he played well for us," Otis said. "I thought both Jason Fineday and Uriah Aubid also played well for us."
The Ogichidaag (1-4) are prepping for a tournament in Sebeka over the holiday break. Otis is hoping they can make some better strides in the second half.
"We have to get better at play two good halves of basketball," he said. "Hopefully, we can get together and play better team ball to make a run into the playoffs."
