FIELD TWP- Line-ups change, point distribution changes, but two more North Woods blowout wins on the hardwoods this past week illustrated what Grizzlies Head Coach Will Kleppe expects from whomever is on the floor – intense lockdown defense.
It was defense that came to the fore in the Grizzlies’ 77-39 win last Friday against 7AA Hinckley-Finlayson, a heightened necessity as five North Woods players didn’t suit up for the game, apparently due to violating a minor team rule.
“I don’t have an answer – student confidentiality,” Kleppe said when asked about the absent players. “We maintain a high standard and we follow the protocols, and that’s what I have to say about that.”
Bryce Chosa and Jonah Burnett got their first starting assignments of the season alongside regulars T.J. Chiabotti, Alex Hartway, and Sean Morisson, and the quintet quickly put the Jaguars on notice that they were in for tough night.
A driving score and two treys by Chiabotti and a free throw by Chosa staked the Grizzlies to an early 9-4 lead, with the Jaguars’ points all coming at the free-throw line. When H-F dropped in a three-pointer to pull within 12-9, the game looked to be shaping up as a tight one, but that illusion was short-lived.
Over the next 11 minutes, Grizzlies defenders were almost perfect, allowing only one basket, a three-pointer, in 18 consecutive possessions. Led by eight points from Chiabotti and scores by Morrison and Hartway, the lead ballooned to 26-12, giving Kleppe the freedom to work other players into the game. By the time the Jaguars’ Randy Skaff scored at the 2:46 mark, North Woods held a commanding 40-14 lead.
Chiabotti put on a scoring clinic, confounding H-F defenders with slashing drives, shake-and-bake mid-range jumpers, and four bombs from beyond the arc for 26 first-half points as the Grizzlies went into the break with the game well in hand at 46-19.
“We didn’t set much up specific for him,” Kleppe said. “He just found opportunities and did a fantastic job.”
Chiabotti put up 32 points on the night, and also led the team with 11 rebounds and eight steals.
Kleppe praised the leadership of seniors Chiabotti and Morrison, but also had good things to say about first-time starters Chosa and Burnett.
“Bryce and Jonah stepped up huge, right into the lineup and we really didn’t miss a beat,” Kleppe said. “I thought Jonah’s rebounding was excellent, and the same for Bryce. We had a limited bench tonight, but they all had big plays and I just couldn’t have been happier with the way they all stepped up.”
Burnett also had a big night scoring, knocking down 19 points. Hartway and Morrison scored eight points each.
Nashwauk-Keewatin
Another hyphenated foe came to North Woods on Tuesday, and the Grizzlies were equally unkind to Nashwauk-Keewatin, sending the Spartans home on the losing end of an 83-50 beatdown.
The Spartans had some success working the ball inside against the Grizzlies but came up empty more often than not. North Woods again took command early at 23-9, getting scores from their trio of Chiabottis – T.J., Jared, and Brenden –and Hartway, Morrison, and Chosa. The Grizzlies then inexplicably went flat, notching a solitary free throw and four consecutive turnovers in eight possessions, before getting back on track for a 40-20 halftime lead.
After the break, the Grizzlies’ defense relied heavily on harassing Spartan shooters and wiping the glass after missed shots. That gave North Woods more opportunities to work from offensive sets, opening up driving lanes and scoring opportunities. While the overall game pace felt slower, the Grizzlies still relentlessly increased their lead, doubling up the score at 60-30 and 70-35 en route to a 33-point 83-50 win.
Game statistics were not available before the Timberjay’s press time.
The 4-0 Grizzlies had a home contest scheduled for Thursday against Moose Lake before heading into the winter break with a road trip to Remer to take on Northland. The Grizzlies will play in the Granite City Classic tournament on Dec. 29-30.