The Northwood High School boys basketball team was back in action for the first time in almost three weeks and the rust showed as the Evergreens fell to Shell Lake 49-42.
"Due to the Prairie Farm forfeit last week, we haven't played a game since Dec. 22 and it showed," NHS coach Paul Vaara said. "We came out cold at the start of the game and never really recovered."
Shell Lake led 11-4 after the first quarter and 26-17 at the half. Northwood outscored the Lakers 18-11 in the third quarter, but then was again outscored, 12-7, in the fourth.
Already playing without Thomas Ross, who had surgery over the break, Northwood lost Joe Martin in the second half to an injury.
"Hopefully Thomas will be back soon," Vaara said. "Missing Thomas was bad enough, then we lost Joe in the second half after he caught an elbow in the jaw that required stitches. That really hurt us, but sophomore Brian Albano stepped up and hit some big shots."
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Gerrod Richard led the 'Greens with 14 points with Reese Stariha and Brad Ross adding seven apiece.
Northwood is at Cameron at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
