As I write this article, the Two Harbors Agates boys basketball team remains in the playoffs and are preparing to face top seed Pequot Lakes in Hermantown. Coach Bill Anderson said, “We have a lot of work to do yet. We are not satisfied. That said, our wins each year have gone from seven to thirteen the following year to eighteen last year and twenty-three this year. I am proud of our kids.”
Saturday, the Agates beat Crosby-Ironton 56-50. As halftime approached, it was a one-point game. Co-captain Ethan Bopp said, “Just before halftime we got a steal, put it in, and after halftime we never looked back.”
The second co-captain, Trent Gomez, credited the Agates half-court defense in the second half. “They played a zone against us in the first half that gave us trouble. In the second half, we played a pressure man-to-man defense against them and it got us quite a few turnovers, limited their second shots, and we were able to get the win.”
The third co-captain, Kyler Pitkanen, said one of the highlights during the playoffs has been to see the fans of the Agates in the stands, their support of the team and the enthusiasm in them as fans. “I will always remember it.”
All three captains use similar words to describe what needs to happen for the team to continue in the playoffs and make it to the final game in the section, “Take care of the ball, create turnovers, play for each other, execute.” Coach Anderson added, “We need to make our free throws.”
In their first tournament game, the Agates beat Proctor 94- 60. They entered the tournament seeded fourth. The other bracket has second-seeded Esko and third-seeded Rock Ridge. The championship game is scheduled for Friday, March 17th in Hermantown.
Let’s hope the Agates are still playing as you read this!
