Things didn’t go as well as hoped and the Agates lost to a talented Pequot Lakes Patriot team by a score of 53-35 in the Section 7AA semi-finals. Pequot played an intense defense and didn’t give up many open shots to the Agates. The Patriots followed with a 77-59 win over Esko two nights later to earn a trip to the state tournament. Agates coach Bill Anderson said, “Of course we are disappointed, but it’s hard to be too disappointed with a season in which we won twenty-four games. I am particularly proud of our kids for how hard they worked and bought into what we were trying to do.”
Coach Anderson’s favorite memories from the season included wins at both Barnum and Moose Lake. “These are two traditionally strong programs and both are challenging places to win. Winning in those gyms is never easy. I really enjoyed hanging out with this group. They had an incredible work ethic and were determined to pay the price to become a quality team. They enjoyed being together at team dinners and other opportunities for team bonding. We will always remember the support of our fans. We had great support throughout the season and at each of our playoff games and it was fun to see alumni travel to support the team.”
Gavin Bopp, who has been an assistant coach for a number of years, said that in past years the Agates have had players that have had individual success, but they have not had the team success that this group has had. “Other than perhaps one game, I think we out-rebounded the opposition every game. I really think that all the time these kids have spent in the weight room has paid off and they have the physical strength and determination to be dominant on the boards. It wasn’t one or two kids, but every player contributed to our rebounding success.”
Bopp also coached the junior varsity and that team finished the year at 20-3. The team played 15-20 kids from time to time and their intensity added to the overall success of the program this season.
The Agates will graduate ten talented seniors who will be a challenge to replace, but Coach Anderson believes that with ten incoming seniors and the strong JV program that the Agates have, they should provide a competitive team. Next year’s schedule will get even tougher with three AAA schools on the schedule including Rock Ridge, Duluth Denfeld, and Cloquet.
