Jardine, Tigers open playoffs with win

MAPLE — Behind a monster night from senior Dylan Jardine, the Northwestern Tigers boys basketball team opened WIAA Division 3 basketball tournament play with a 63-35 win over Cumberland Tuesday in the Northwestern High School gym.

Jardine, at 6-foot-7 senior, dominated inside with 29 points and 10 rebounds against the shorter Beavers.

Cumberland lost 60-16 to Northwestern just 11 days ago, but this time came out hot, taking a 13-10 first-quarter lead over the sixth-seeded Tigers.

“Cumberland was missing two starters the last time we played them,” NHS coach David Gustafson said.

This time Cumberland came out determined, hitting three 3-point shots in the first quarter.

“Give credit to Cumberland, they forced us to change our defense,” Gustafson said.

With the change the Tigers began to take over the game, ending the first half with a 25-19 lead.

Northwestern stretched that to 11 points after three quarters with a 40-29 lead and the fourth quarter was all Tigers as they outscored the Beavers 23-6.

“One of our keys was to hold Jonah Lundequam down, he’s quite a player,” Gustafson said.

Lundequam led Cumberland with 10 points and A.J. Ricci added nine.

Tanner Follis, a 6-5 post player, made 6-of-7 shots for Northwestern to add 12 points. Other Tigers in the scoring column include Jeffery Priem with six points, Grant Pearson with five, Trevor Paulus with four, Micah Olson, Nick Murray and Tyler Blair with two each and freshman Nate Pearson with one free throw. Matt Hlina led the Tigers with six assists.

Northwestern (12-11), the four-time defending regional champion, now faces No. 3 Hayward (13-8) at 7 p.m. Friday in Hayward. The winner will advance to Saturday’s regional final.

Friday’s game may be heard live on WNXR 107.3 and at wnxrfm.com on the internet.

Cumberland 13-6-10-6—35

Northwestern 10-15-15-23—63

Cumberland — Bryan Bielmeier 4, Jonah Lundequam 10, Brendon Grunseth 3, Taylor Johnson 2 Anthony Barnes 5, Michael Johnson 2, A.J. Ricci 9. Totals 16 4-4 35.

3-point goals — Habermann 2, Stafford, Carlson.

Northwestern — Tanner Follis 12, Jeffrey Priem 6, Nick Murray 2, Grant Pearson 5, Micah Olson 2, Trevor Paulus 4, Nate Pearson 1, Tyler Blair 2, Dylan Jardine 29. Totals 26 10-16 63.

3-point goal — Pearson.

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