Second-ranked Spartans improve to 11-0

The Superior High School girls basketball team defeated the Cloquet Lumberjacks 79-52 Tuesday night in Cloquet.

The Spartans, who are ranked No. 2 in Wisconsin, improve to 11-0 overall and 6-0 in the Lake Superior Conference. Cloquet falls to 7-7 and 2-2.

Superior led 37-29 at the half, then outscored Cloquet 42-23 in the second half.

“Cloquet was a good contest for us, they are a tough, hard-nosed team that really gave us a run for our money in the first half,” SHS coach Phil Roe said. “I felt our constant defensive pressure caught up with them in the second half and we broke things open.

“I was happy with how our girls responded and executed a couple new defensive schemes, from which we were able to get easy steals and baskets.”

Hailey Kontny led the Spartans with 34 points. Jessica Lindstrom added 15 points and Alyssa Correll had nine.

“Hailey played a great game on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court,” Roe said. “I was really impressed with her defense, not only on their guards but their post players.

“Jessica overcame some early foul trouble and had a great second half taking the ball to the basket with force,” Roe said. “Alyssa has become a much more physical defender over the season and it showed tonight. She also had some big buckets.”

Roe also praised the play of Abby Clemons, Rachel Fregin, Alison Wainionpaa and Natalie Kintop.

“Abby continues to get better on both ends of the court and she took a huge charge early in the second half which changed the whole momentum of the game,” Roe said. “Rachel not only had four points, but she had some huge steals and played very physical on the defensive end of the court; Alison led our press with her constant pressure and traps, which led to easy buckets for her teammates; and Natalie helped tremendously on the defensive end of the court.”

Kenzie Rathe had 21 points and Jaiden Cofield 15 for the Lumberjacks.

The Spartans host Eden Prairie at 6:45 p.m. Friday.

The Eagles, who are currently 10-2 and ranked No. 8 in Minnesota, are led by Samantha Trammel, who averages 12.5 points a game. Martha Kuderer and Jayla Mayes-Jackson are next at 8.7 and 8.3 points a game.

“We’re looking forward to Friday night’s challenge,’ Roe said. “It will be a good test for our program.”

Superior 37-42—79

Cloquet 29-23—52

Superior — Hailey Kontny 34, Jessica Lindstrom 15, Alyssa Correll 9, Abby Clemons 7, Alison Wainionpaa 5, Rachal Fregin 4, Natalie Kintop 3, Missy Toland 2. Totals 32 10-17 79.

3-point goals — Clemons, Wainionpaa, Kintop, Lindstrom, Correll.

Cloquet — Kenzie Rathe 21, Jaiden Cofield 15, Krista Schmitz 5, Grace Sinisalo 3, Reilly Kedrowski 2, Morgan Jensen 2, Jordan Hanson 2, Meny Sandoval 2. Totals 21 5-6 52. 3-point goals — Cofield 3, Sinisalo, Schmitz.

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