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North Woods upset by MI-B in Section 7A finale

Grizzlies had defeated Rangers twice in regular season

Tom Klein
Posted 3/6/16

HIBBING – North Woods, which defeated Mountain Iron-Buhl twice during the regular season, came up short in Saturday’s battle for Section 7A championship, losing 78-66 to the Rangers here in a …

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North Woods upset by MI-B in Section 7A finale

Grizzlies had defeated Rangers twice in regular season

Posted

HIBBING – North Woods, which defeated Mountain Iron-Buhl twice during the regular season, came up short in Saturday’s battle for Section 7A championship, losing 78-66 to the Rangers here in a bittersweet finale to a storybook season.

“We got outplayed. They outplayed us on the boards and they got to a lot the hustle plays,” said Grizzlies Head Coach Will Kleppe. “We didn’t play as good a game as we are capable of and in a section championship, that’s going to cost you.”

MI-B Head Coach Luke Winans said his team used the regular season losses to the Grizzlies to adjust their game plan and fire up for Saturday’s championship bout.

“We only played man against them (during the regular) season,” said Winans. “We stuck with that defense early in the game; we didn’t want to give them a look at our 1-3-1 defense. That helped tip the scales a little bit in our favor.”

Kleppe agreed the defense contributed to the Grizzlies’ loss.

“They used their 1-3-1 defense to slow us down. It took away a little bit of tempo, but we did not shoot well,” he said. “The biggest thing to bust that zone up is you’ve got to shoot well. We went stretches where we didn’t shoot well.”

Instead, the Grizzlies, who have dominated most opponents, faced the unfamiliar position of trailing for most of the game.

The Rangers took an 11-point lead in the first half, before North Woods staged a comeback, slowly chipping away at MI-B’s lead. With just over a minute left in the half, Cade Goggleye’s basket put North Woods on top 33-23. Then as the clock wound down, Darnell Goggleye drained a three-pointer, which put the Grizzlies on top 36-34.

But the lead didn’t last long as MI-B scored eight unanswered points at the top of the second half.

“Even the kids were talking about that in the locker room,” said Winans. “The first four minutes are the most important minutes of the game. We had to come out hard.”

“We knew they were going to come out aggressive and that’s exactly what they did,” said Kleppe. “They came out and scored quickly. We missed some shots early and gave them a few more possessions than we wanted to.”

The Grizzlies struggled to close the gap, getting its first points on a free throw. But MI-B never relinquished the lead for the remainder of the game.

Ranger Josh Isaacson proved to be especially troublesome for he Grizzlies, controlling the glass and scoring 29 points.

“That’s the best I’ve seen him play all year,” said Coach Winans. “It was a great time for him to step up.”

Isaacson played an “outstanding game,” Kleppe said. “He was very aggressive around the boards. He reeled in a lot of rebounds, and we were fouling him on his second-chance opportunities. He dominated the glass.”

As the fouls mounted, the Grizzlies were forced to bench George Bibeau and Garett Snidarich. The loss of their big inside players further stifled North Woods’ chances for rebounds, forcing the Grizzlies to resort to treys in an effort to catch up to the Rangers.

“We tried to do something to get back in. We threw some threes up. A few went and a few didn’t,” said Kleppe.

Darnell Goggleye, who averaged 20 points a game this season, led his team with 15, including five three-pointers. Cade Goggleye contributed 14 while Steven Stone and Spencer Viita each added nine. Both Viita and Cade Goggleye hit three treys.

In addition to Isaacson, leading scorers for the Rangers included Jaylon Holmes, who bucketed 19 points, and Archie Winans, who added 11.

In addition, MI-B took advantage of frequent trips to the free-throw line, sinking 19 of 24 attempts. North Woods made 12 of 17 attempts from the charity stripe.

Saturday’s game was the second time the Grizzlies had made to the section finals since Cook and Orr combined their sports programs. The Grizzlies have never advanced to state in that short time. Prior to joining teams, Orr boys basketball team had been to state three times, the last in 1984. Cook boys team had never made it to state.

That history was on the minds of the Grizzlies, as they consoled each other following the game, tears streaming down the faces of some.

But Kleppe said his team, which finished with a record of 27-3, had no reason to mourn.

“This is a great group of kids,” he said. “They jelled well as a team and they worked hard. It just wasn’t our night. They were a great example of what a team should be. I feel terrible that we didn’t get a chance to go on and play, but I’m really proud of them.”

MI-B Coach Winans also complimented the Grizzlies.

“Both groups have played a lot basketball and put in a lot of time, so we knew it was going to be a battle,” he said. “Coach Kleppe and his assistant coaches have done an excellent job, so we knew we were going to have our hands full.”

The team’s seniors, who took the loss the hardest, said they leave with some great memories.

“We were really one of the only teams this year who didn’t play selfish ball,” said Garett Snidarich. “I’m going to miss this team. Most of us have been together since we were in fourth grade.”

Steven Stone and Olin Halverson also spoke about camaraderie among team members and praised their coaches.

“It’s been one hell of a ride,” concluded Darnell Goggleye, holding back tears. “But it came to an end tonight.”

Grizzlies, basketball, North Woods