The Muskie senior boys’ basketball team competed in the Miles MacDonell Buckeye Classic in Winnipeg over the weekend, bringing home the consolation crown.
The black-and-gold opened action Thursday night against the Garden City Fighting Gophers—the number-one ranked team in the province.
Unfortunately, the 600-km drive after a game against the Dryden Eagles earlier in the day took its toll on the Muskies and the physically-depleted squad could muster only 49 points to Garden City’s 90.
Leading the scoring for the Muskies were Morgan Anderson, Travis Stromness, and Jeremy Strain, all with 10 points apiece.
But the Muskies rebounded with a hard-fought 66-59 win over the Kildonan East Reivers on Friday evening.
Strain and Anderson led the way with 15 points apiece. Strain also was named the game MVP.
Then in the consolation final Saturday afternoon against the Jeanne-Sauve Olympians, the Muskies were determined to prove they belonged in this top-ranked ‘AAAA’ tournament.
With the score tied 21-21 after the first quarter, Fort High jumped out to a 50-38 lead at the half and never looked back.
Paced by the hot hand of point guard Garnet Cornell, who was 8-for-11 from behind the three-point arc, the Muskies went on to a convincing 98-59 victory and the consolation crown.
Cornell led all scorers with 31 points and was named the game MVP.
Rounding out the scoring for the Muskies were Travis Stromness, with 21, and Joey Theriault (16). Theriault was instrumental in the two victories with his tenacious defence and determination to win.
The Muskies will be back in action tomorrow (Jan. 22) at 6:30 in the “Fish Tank” for an exhibition game versus the Baudette Bears.
But the black-and-gold will be without the services of Strain, who rolled an ankle in the tournament’s final game and will be out until after the exam break.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
