Senior Muskie hoopsters win Rendez-Vous tourney

The host Muskies won this year’s La Place Rendez-Vous senior boys’ basketball tournament for the first time since 2000.
“It feels really good to win finally,” said Garnett Cornell, who had 10 points for the black-and-gold on the weekend.
“This is our first time winning [our own tournament] in seven years, so it’s great to break a curse,” he enthused.
The Muskies opened play with a 67-22 blowout against Queen Elizabeth (Sioux Lookout) on Friday afternoon, followed by a 69-31 romp over St. Thomas Aquinas (Kenora).
The Muskies’ only real challenge was against the Kenora Broncos, who still trailed by a handful of possessions throughout their 55-42 loss.
“I thought the guys played well this weekend,” Muskie head coach Paul Noonan said, crediting improved patience and ball control to cutting turnovers and maximizing scoring on possessions.
With their only loss of this season coming against a tough Hillcrest Colts squad at the “Tiger Tip-Off” tournament late last month, and the team retaining much of its core (including all five starters) from last year, Noonan said winning their home tournament should be the first step in a triumphant season.
“I’m still hoping that we’re gonna come out on the winning end. I’m expecting that,” Noonan said.
Morgan Anderson’s outside shooting, which led to him winning the three-point shooting contest, was key over a weekend where opposing teams clogged the paint to cut down on slashers like Cornell and Jeremy Strain, who lit up St. Thomas Aquinas with a game-leading 21 points.
Anderson thrived behind the line, coming away from the weekend with 43 points.
“That’s just usually what I do,” Anderson said, nodding by way of Strain. “Leave it to this guy to get all the inside points.”
The Muskies (2-0) will look to keep their perfect NorWOSSA record intact when all four court teams head to Dryden this Thursday.