Hermantown will play host to traditional rival Duluth East in a high school girls basketball game today at 7:15 p.m.
"The girls look to start the new year off with some energy and confidence as we continue to make progress and get better each day," said Hawks coach Beth Clark. "We look forward to our competitive schedule and winning some games in the new year."
Hermantown (2-9) played some of its best basketball of the season in a holiday tournament in Esko, losing to Bloomington Kennedy 65-60 in double-overtime and held the lead for most of the game against Foley before losing 67-45.
Junior center Olivia Johnson had 21 points in both games for the Hawks, and Bailey Hermanson had 10 points against Bloomington Kennedy and Bailey Zagelmeyer had three 3-point baskets and finished with nine points against Foley.
THURSDAY RESULTS
Hermantown 5, Rock Ridge 1 – Senior forward Joshua Kauppinen had a hat trick for the Class 1A/No. 1-ranked Hawks. Junior forward Charlie Marchand added a pair of power-play goals and senior goaltender Dane Callaway stopped 26 of 27 shots for Hermantown. The Hawks (8-2-2) will host Class 2A power Eden Prairie (7-3-1) at 3 p.m. Saturday at historic Hermantown Arena.
HAWKS ALUMNI
Former Hawks defensemen Neal Pionk and Dylan Samberg are having strong seasons for the NHL's Winnipeg Jets. Pionk has 15 points (3 goals) and is plus-10, including a three-game scoring streak, and Samberg has eight points -- all assists -- and is plus-nine. Both players have played in all 37 games for the Western Division Central second-place Jets (24-9-4, 52 points).