Joey Payeur
A renewed focus on offence saw the Muskie senior boys’ basketball team make their point—several points, actually.
The black-and-gold discovered the basket isn’t as small as it seems to them sometimes, landing in third place at the St. Ignatius Invitational tournament in Thunder Bay last weekend.
“We’ve been trying to improve our scoring punch,” said Muskie coach Paul Noonan.
“We ran a lot of transition plays, and the guys were moving the ball in and out really well,” he noted.
After having a first-round bye, the Muskies kicked off action Friday afternoon against the Westgate Tigers (Thunder Bay) and earned a solid 64-41 victory.
Justin Anderson, named a tournament all-star, led Fort High with 15 points and was named the team’s MVP for the game.
Chris Legg added 13 points while Josh Strain drained 11 to help the Muskies’ cause.
The victory meant a semi-final date with the Superior Collegiate and Vocational Institute (SCVI) Gryphons—the top team on the Thunder Bay high school circuit with an 8-0 mark so far this season and possessing quite likely the best player in the league in guard Alex Robichaud.
The Gryphons and Robichaud lived up to the hype as SCVI bombed away from the outside to the tune of 11 three-pointers en route to a 60-45 triumph.
“They came out really hot,” said Noonan, who watched Robichaud light up the Muskie defence for five “threes” and a game-high 27 points.
“They nailed three three-pointers in the first two minutes and were up 12-1,” he recalled. “We had to try to battle back from that point.
“It’s hard to contain [Robichaud],” Noonan added. “He knows how to work his way into good spots.
“We’re going to have to figure out how to stop him because it appears Superior is who we’re going to face if we get to [the NWOSSAA finals].”
Anderson, selected as Fort High’s top player again, collected 20 points. But had little support as Strain was the next highest Muskie scorer with just eight.
Relegated to the bronze-medal game, the black-and-gold regained their shooting touch in a big way—pounding the host St. Ignatius Falcons 72-52.
Legg was an easy choice as the most valuable Muskie in that one, hitting from all over the court for a game-high 24 points.
Anderson pitched in 14 while Will Anderson netted 10.
Meanwhile, the Muskies remained unbeaten in NorWOSSA play after a 69-38 win over the visiting Kenora Broncos last Wednesday (Jan. 12).
Justin Anderson and Strain each had 15 points against the Broncos. Caleb McIntosh tallied 14 while Legg added 10.
The Muskies headed to Baudette last night to face the Lake of the Woods Bears in an exhibition game (the score was not available as of press time).
The two teams met in Fort High’s home tournament earlier this season, with the Muskies downing the Bears by double digits.
