The Hermantown girls basketball team posted an impressive, 55-44 victory at nonconference Chisago Lakes last Friday night, to begin a rugged six-game road stretch.
“We jumped out to an early lead with as much as a 20-point lead in the first half,” said Hawks coach Beth Clark of the spirited game. “However, the second half got a little tight as we closed out the game. The Wildcats got as close as four points, but we bounced back with a huge three-point basket by Bailey Hermanson and a couple of big baskets by Olivia Johnson.”
The Hawks’ challenging road stretch continued Tuesday night with a 67-53 loss at powerful Pine City.
“Pine City is a good AA school,” said Clark.
Meantime, the Hawks continue to improve, while playing a challenging schedule.
“We have practiced hard and have played really well at times,” said Clark. “We’re looking to be more competitive and consistent by playing well in both halves.”
Next up for the Hawks - a 7:15 p.m. contest at Hibbing on Tuesday, Feb. 13. Hermantown defeated the Bluejackets 56-48 at home in January.
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HOCKEY NOTEBOOK
Proctor-Hermantown Mirage coasted to a 5-1 Section 7A quarterfinal high school girls hockey victory over North Shore on Tuesday night at beautiful Hermantown Arena. The second-seeded Mirage (16-8-2) advanced to face third-seeded Cloquet-Esko-Carlton (14-11-1) in a 7A semifinal Saturday at 11 a.m. in Proctor. The Lumberjacks defeated sixth-seeded Hibbing-Chisholm 4-2 Tuesday night in Cloquet. Also Saturday, at 2 p.m. in Proctor: top-seed Duluth Marshall (21-3-1) meets fourth-seeded Moose Lake-Willow (14-11-1).
Former Hermantown High standout Zam Plante had five points, including two goals, for the Fargo Force in a two-game series sweep at Sioux Falls in USHL play over the weekend. The 5-foot-9, 169-pound centerman and prized Bulldogs recruit is fourth in USHL scoring with 45 points (17 goals) in 33 games.