CLOQUET, Minn. – The defending Section 7AAA champs Cloquet are back on the field, but with a new leader in the dugout. Longtime assistant coach Tyler Korby is now the head coach for the Lumberjacks. He is also the club director for the Minnesota Blast travel softball team. And that means he’s already very familiar with many of his players….
DULUTH, Minn. – Grand Rapids forward Hayden DeMars would finish with four goals and take home MVP honors as Team Yellow defeated Team White 7-5 in the 34th annual Essentia All Star Boys Hockey Game. Joey Pierce, Logan Dushkin and Tom Nemanich also scored for Team Yellow, who also got five assists from Braeden Holcomb. Team White were led by…
CLOQUET, Minn. – After a heart-breaking end to his high school career, Hermantown hockey captain Joey Pierce has laced up the skates again and is now playing junior hockey with the Minnesota Wilderness. The UMD commit joined the team last week and plans to finish out the season with them. Pierce has played for the Wilderness before and is excited…
HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The cities of Proctor and Hermantown announced this week that this Thursday, April 8th will be proclaimed “Proctor/Hermantown Mirage State Champions Day”. The two communities will honor the team after its thrilling state title win this past weekend, which was the first in program history. As of now, there is not an event of some kind planned…
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Abby Hennen would knock down a free throw with 2.1 seconds left in the game that gave Minneota the 54-53 win over Mountain Iron-Buhl in the Class A girls basketball semi-finals Tuesday afternoon at the Target Center. Freshman Jordan Zubich finished with 14 points while Ava Butler chipped in with 12 for the Rangers, who finish their…
DULUTH, Minn. – Tuesday night, the Northland boys hockey season will come to an end with the annual Essentia All-Star hockey game. 34 players will take part in the event, with Eveleth-Gilbert’s Jeff Torrel and Hermantown’s Patrick Andrews serving as head coaches. And for the seniors, it will be the final game of their high school careers. “Last game of…
ESKO, Minn. – Practices continue this week for prep softball teams. And for many teams like Esko, it’s also game week. The Eskomos will be in their first action since they won the section title back in May of 2019. And because of spring break last week, Monday was the first time the entire team practiced together. “It’s really exciting….
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Grand Rapids defenseman Jack Peart has won the Mr. Hockey award, given to the best senior hockey player in the state of Minnesota. He is the first defenseman to win the award in 12 years and the first Thunderhawk winner since 2014 when Avery Peterson took home the honor. Peart scored 11 goals and recorded 24…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Senior forward Alyssa Watkins scored the game-winning goal in double overtime as the Proctor/Hermantown girls hockey team defeated Gentry Academy 3-2 in the Class A state championship game. Aurora Opsahl and Izy Fairchild also scored for the Mirage, who captured their first state title in program history. Attached video includes postgame comments from head coach Emma…
MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn. – The Mountain Iron-Buhl girls basketball team stuck with it the entire way and only led for the final 17 seconds of their state quarterfinal game, but it was enough to get the job done as they’re now heading back to familiar territory: the class A state semifinals. “It will feel like home,” junior forward Jacie Kvas…
DULUTH, Minn. – This week, practices got underway for prep softball teams, including Duluth Denfeld. But this year, the Hunters will begin the season without a very special member of their program. For the first time in decades, Denfeld will take the field without their longtime head coach Dick Swanson, who passed away back in August. Nikki Jensen will take…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Freshman Hannah Graves finished with two goals as the Proctor/Hermantown girls hockey team defeated Warroad 3-1 in the Class A state semi-finals at the Xcel Energy Center. Senior Alyssa Watkins also scored her sixth goal of the tournament, while junior Abby Pajari finished with 31 saves. The Mirage advance to the state championship game for the…
DULUTH, Minn. – Tuesday, the Duluth Marshall girls basketball team suffered a heart-breaking loss in the state quarterfinals. It was the final game in the high school career for Gianna Kneepkens and she went out with a bang. Kneepkens finished with a career-high 67 points, which is also a new prep girls state record for most points scored in a…
HERMANTOWN, Minn. – After their loss in the state quarterfinals Tuesday night, the Hermantown JV hockey team has received an outpouring of support all over social media, including from former Hawk and current UMD Bulldog Blake Biondi, as well as an exchange of mutual respect on Twitter between Zam Plante and Dodge County’s Brody Lamb. Categories: High School, Sports
OSSEO, Minn. – In the Class AAAA state quarterfinals, the Duluth East boys basketball team struggled in the second half as they fell to Wayzata 78-69. In other quarterfinals action, DeLaSalle defeated Hibbing 92-72 in Class AAA, Minneapolis North knocked off Moose Lake-Willow River 71-40 in Class AA, and in Class A it was Badger/Greenbush-Middle River over Deer River 58-52….
PROCTOR, Minn. – Wednesday morning, the best breakfast for Northland hockey fans won’t be a bagel or eggs benedict. It will be the start of the state semi-finals for girls hockey. And Proctor/Hermantown have earned a spot at the table. The Mirage will go up against Warroad, the #1 ranked team in Class A. The Warriors are led by Ms….
MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn. – The Mountain Iron-Buhl girls basketball team got a big win Tuesday afternoon over Cass Lake-Bena in the Class A quarterfinals. It wasn’t pretty though as the Rangers committed 24 turnovers and only led for the last 17 seconds of the game. But they say a win is a win when it comes to the state tournament….
DULUTH, Minn. – As winter sports begin to wind down, that means spring sports are starting back up. And it’s been a long wait for many local teams who had their seasons cancelled last year, including Northland baseball teams. And for some teams, like Duluth Denfeld, it means getting re-introduced to their new head coach. Joe Wicklund took over last…
PEQUOT LAKES, Minn. – In a game where they lead for the final 17 seconds, the Mountain Iron-Buhl girls basketball team earned a comeback win over Cass Lake-Bena 50-49 in the quarterfinals of the Class A state tournament. The Rangers move on to face Minneota in the state semi-finals. That game will be next Tuesday at the Target Center. In…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Hermantown boys junior varsity hockey team fought valiantly in place of their varsity teammates, but it wouldn’t be enough as they fell to Dodge County 7-3 Tuesday night in the Class A state quarterfinals. Cameron Pietrusa, Sam Swenson and Zam Plante all scored for the Hawks, who were playing without most of their varsity players…
HIBBING, Minn. – It’s been a season to remember so far for Hibbing’s Ayden McDonald. On the court, he recorded 900 career assists and also became the program’s all-time leading scorer. “A little bit different from the mold of our family; scoring isn’t really his MO. He’s able to do it but he has tendency to make the right play,…
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Grand Rapids/Greenway’s Claire Vekich is now a top-five finalist for the Ms. Hockey award, given to the top senior player in the state of Minnesota. Vekich says she hopes the nomination will bring more attention to girls hockey programs in the Northland. “I think it’s a really big eye-opener to have a Northern GRG hockey player…
HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The prep hockey world is still buzzing after Proctor/Hermantown’s Alyssa Watkins scored five goals in a win over Luverne in the Class A state quarterfinals. Watkins is not currently committed to playing college hockey, but she does want to play at the Division I level. And maybe her performance could help with some much-deserved exposure. “Obviously, this…
HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown boys hockey team will be shorthanded for Tuesday’s Class A state quarterfinals game against Dodge County due to exposure to COVID-19. The vast majority of the varsity team will not take part in the game, but members of the junior varsity squad will made eligible to play. Here’s the official statement from athletic director Beth…
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The state tournament brackets and seedings were released on Saturday and four Northland teams will be competing for a state title. The quarterfinal action gets started on Wednesday. CLASS A N2 Deer River vs. N3 Badger/Greenbush Middle River. Wednesday, March 31 at 6:00 p.m. at Pequot Lakes Semifinals April 7, Championship April 10 at Target Center CLASS…
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Brackets and seedings have been released for the girls state basketball tournaments and three local teams will competing for state titles. The quarterfinal action gets started on Tuesday. CLASS A N2 Mountain Iron-Buhl vs. N3 Cass Lake-Bena. Tuesday, March 30 at 4:30 p.m. at Pequot Lakes CLASS AA N3 Duluth Marshall vs. N2 Providence Academy. Tuesday, March…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – In their first game in over a year, the Superior football team topped Eau Claire North 38-20 Friday night at the NBC Spartan Sports Complex. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports
NASHWAUK, Minn. – The Deer River boys basketball team used a big second half to get the 60-42 win over Nashwauk-Keewatin on Friday night to claim their first ever section 7A title. Ty Morrison led the way with 24 points while Mikhail Wakonabo chipped in with 21 points for the Warriors. Deer River now prepares for their first state tournament…
ESKO, Minn. – Senior Gianna Kneepkens led all scorers with 31 points as the Duluth Marshall girls basketball team held off a late rally from Esko to pick up the win 63-52 in the Section 7AA championship game. Ava Meierotto chipped in with 14 points to help the Hilltoppers punch their ticket to the state tournament for the second straight…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Senior forward Alyssa Watkins finished with five goals, including three shorthanded, as the Proctor/Hermantown girls hockey team rolled past Luverne 8-0 Friday afternoon in the Class A state quarterfinals. Reese Hientzman, Hannah Kaupinnen and Ella Anick also scored for the Mirage, who move on to the state semi-finals where they will face #2 seed Warroad. Puck…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – After defeating Duluth Denfeld 7-1 to claim their second straight section 7A title and 11th trip to the state tournament in the past 12 years, the Hermantown boys hockey team earned the No. 1 overall seed in Class A for the state tournament. The Hawks will face Dodge County in the quarterfinals. The Wildcats finished their…
HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Seniors Joey Pierce and Ethan Lund each scored twice as the Hermantown boys hockey team defeated Duluth Denfeld 7-1 to win the Section 7A championship. George Peterson, Aydyn Dowd and Beau Janzig also scored for the Hawks, who are going to the Class A state tournament for the 11th time in the past 12 seasons. Kade Shea…
DULUTH, Minn. – Senior guard Giovani Saldivar led the way with 24 points as the Duluth East boys basketball team got the home win over Coon Rapids 74-60 Thursday night. It is the Greyhounds first section title since 2012 and the first for head coach Rhett McDonald. Categories: High School, Sports
PEQUOT LAKES, Minn. – In the Section 7AA championship game, Moose Lake-Willow River scored early and often as they knocked off Pequot Lakes 57-51 for their second-ever trip to the Class AA state tournament. And in Section 7AAA, it was Hibbing getting the win over defending section champs Princeton 80-59. Categories: High School, Sports
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Kyra Giffen and Braya LaPlant led the way as the Grand Rapids girls basketball team used a strong second half to defeat Chisago Lakes 58-48 to win the Section 7AAA championship. And in Section 7A, Mountain Iron-Buhl stifled Cherry defensively as the Rangers rolled past the Tigers 60-28. Jordan Zubich led MIB with 25 points. Categories:…
ESKO, Minn. – In the Section 7AA girls basketball semi-finals, Esko needed overtime to knock off Crosby-Ironton 63-60 and Duluth Marshall used a strong second half to top Pequot Lakes 92-75. The Eskomos will host the Hilltoppers Friday night in the section championship game. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. Categories: High School, Sports
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – A three-goal deficit would be too much to battle back from as the Grand Rapids boys hockey team fell to Andover 3-2 Wednesday night in the Section 7AA championship game. Braeden Holcomb and Hayden DeMars each scored for the Thunderhawks, while Garrett Schifsky finished with a hat trick for the Huskies, who won their second straight…
PROCTOR, Minn. – After a one-year hiatus last season, the Proctor/Hermantown girls hockey team took care of business this past weekend as they are heading back to the state tournament for fifth time since 2014. The Mirage will carry their undefeated record to the Xcel Energy Center, a place many of the players have already been to. So for this…
DULUTH, Minn. – In the Section 7AA boys basketball semi-finals, Moose Lake-Willow River avenge their loss early in the season to get the upset win over Duluth Marshall 87-73 Tuesday night. The Rebels advance to the section title game Thursday night to face Pequot Lakes, who defeated Esko in the other semi-final game. And in Section 7AAAA, Duluth East used…
HERMANTOWN, Minn. – In the Section 7A boys hockey semi-finals, Hermantown blanked Virginia/MIB 8-0 and Duluth Denfeld defeated Hibbing/Chisholm 6-1. For the second straight season, the Hawks will face the Hunters in the section championship game, which will take place Thursday night at the Hermantown Ice Arena. Categories: High School, Sports
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Twin Ports Gymnastics has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for some new equipment. And while the gym needs major pieces of equipment, the focus of this fundraiser will be to replace their spring floor, which is over 15 years old. “The floor gets used every single day, out of pretty much seven days a week….
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Grand Rapids/Greenway’s Claire Vekich has been named a finalist for the Ms. Hockey award, given to the best female senior hockey player in the state of Minnesota. Vekich was fantastic in her senior campaign for the Lightning, leading the team in goals, assists and total points. And in the entire state, she was third in goals…
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Since winning the state championship in 2017, the Grand Rapids boys hockey team has worked to get back. Now later this week, they’re one step closer, as they’re once again back in the section 7AA championship game. “Our first goal was to get the first seed, and then our second goal is to win the section,”…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – After punching their ticket to the state tournament on Saturday, the Proctor/Hermantown girls hockey team learned their state seeding on Sunday. The Mirage are the No. 3 seed in class A and will play Luverne in the quarterfinals. That game is set for Friday, March 26 at 1:00 p.m. at the Xcel Energy Center. The Mirage…
PROCTOR, Minn. – The top-seeded Proctor/Hermantown girls hockey team used a four-goal third period to get the 6-0 win over two-seed Duluth Marshall in the section 7A championship game to advance to the state tournament. Ella Anick scored twice while Alyssa Watkins, Izy Fairchild, Hannah Graves and Aurora Opsahl each scored once. This is the Mirage’s second section 7A title…
DULUTH, Minn. – The defending section 7AA girls basketball champions Duluth Marshall picked up right where they left off, getting the 76-62 win over Mesabi East in the section quarterfinals. Gianna Kneepkens led the way with 25 points while Ava Meierotto and Dasia Starks each had 15 points. Hannah Hannuksela led the Giants with 22 points. Duluth Marshall will host…
ANDOVER, Minn. – The top-seed and defending state champions Andover proved to be too much, getting the 6-1 win over Grand Rapids/Greenway in the section 7AA title game. Mercury Bischoff scored the lone goal for the Lightning. Andover once again punches its ticket to the state tournament. Grand Rapids/Greenway finishes the season with a 14-7 record. Categories: High School, Sports
DULUTH, Minn. – Carson Schulte is a captain for the Duluth Denfeld boys soccer team and a team manager for the hockey team as well. Recently, he had to have emergency surgery for his Chron’s disease at Essentia Health so he’s been stuck in the ICU. His head coach Scott Anderson wanted to cheer him up so he had a…
ESKO, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we chat with Esko girls basketball coach Scott Antonutti as the top-seeded Eskomos begin their section playoff run this weekend. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports
DULUTH, Minn. – In the Section 7AA boys basketball quarterfinals, Duluth Marshall topped Crosby-Ironton 76-67 and Esko rolled past International Falls 80-42. The Hilltoppers advance to the semi-finals where they will host Moose Lake-Willow River. The Eskomos will travel to Pequot Lakes. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports
