Boys Varsity Hockey
December has been a grind for the North Shore boys, who have been battling through a tough stretch of games while looking for rhythm on both ends of the ice. In the early part of the month the team had a 5–1 loss at Ashland, where senior Josh Johnson scored the lone Storm goal in the second period with help from junior Nox Peterson and senior Brenner Quinn. Ashland answered quickly and kept control the rest of the way.
Two nights later in Proctor, North Shore was shut out 5–0 at the Aspirus St. Luke’s Sports and Event Center.
The most competitive game of the month came on December 13 in Silver Bay, where the Storm pushed Ashland to overtime in a 3–3 tie. Johnson struck first on a power play in the opening period, assisted by sophomores Vaughn Christensen and Levi Wermter. Ashland scored shorthanded in the second, but Quinn answered with help from Johnson and junior Eliot Aronson. The Oredockers carried a one-goal lead into the third before Peterson tied it up with assists from Quinn and senior Isaiah Bertin. Goalie Dax Krech kept the Storm in it with 39 saves on 42 shots.
North Shore returned to Two Harbors on December 16 for a 5–3 loss to Hayward. Senior Joshua Maxwell opened the scoring early with assists from Quinn and Peterson. Hayward responded with three straight before Bertin cut the deficit in the second. The Hurricanes added another early in the third, and junior Levi Lovely scored unassisted to keep it close. North Shore pulled the goalie late, but Hayward sealed it with an empty net goal.
The Storm closed out the stretch on December 19 at the Mora Civic Center, falling 4–1 despite outshooting Mora 41 to 30. Peterson scored in the first with Bertin assisting, but the Storm could not find the net again.
The team took on the Spooner Rails on December 22 and will start the new year against Wadena-Deer Creek on January 3 at Sonju Arena.
Girls Varsity Hockey
The North Shore Storm girls team have kept the momentum going despite a weather-postponed matchup. Their next chance came December 20 against Mora, and they made it count, extending their winning streak.
Junior Raegen Hogenson struck first, scoring seconds into the second period. Berkley Hoff, a junior, set it up and added another assist less than two minutes later when Reese Costley, also a junior, finished a clean play for a quick two goal lead.
Mora answered later in the period, but junior Callie Ernest closed the second with a goal assisted by senior Natalie Walker, pushing the Storm ahead 3 to 1.
Hoff added her own goal in the third with help from Hallie Komarek, a sophomore this season. It stood as the final tally of the night, and the North Shore Storm girls hockey team pushed its streak to five heading into the December 22 home game against Princeton/Big Lake/Becker before their Holiday Tournament in Warroad to close out 2025.
Girls Varsity Basketball
The Silver Bay Mariners are perfect on the season after their 57–49 opener against McGregor on December 2. Two days later, they toppled the South Ridge Giants 53–48. A postponed matchup with Littlefork–Big Falls didn’t slow them down. When the Mariners returned to the court on December 16, they rolled past Fond du Lac Ojibwe 90–12. Their next test came December 23 in Two Harbors against the Agates.
Since last checking in with the Agates, they dropped a tough one to South Ridge on December 9, falling by a single point in overtime after climbing back from a 10 point deficit. On December 12, they hosted North Woods and earned a 57–41 win. Against Cherry, the Agates added another victory. Their 52–46 finish was helped along by late free throws that “helped secure the win,” according to Head Coach Gavin Bopp.
Boys Varsity Basketball
The Cook County Vikings opened their season with a 63–51 loss to South Ridge, but bounced back quickly. In their December 5 home game, they handled Floodwood 71–20. They matched that point total on December 9, beating Carlton/Wrenshall 71–56.
A close loss to Cromwell– Wright followed, the Cardinals edging ahead 69–65. When Ely came to town, Cook County tightened up defensively and earned a 40–33 win. The Vikings now take a short holiday break before traveling to Mountain Iron–Buhl on December 29 and Ely on December 30. They will host Two Harbors on January 2, 2026.
The Two Harbors Agates have been rolling since their November 29 opener against Chisholm. They won their home opener on December 4 against Duluth Marshall, 79– 61, and kept the momentum going with an 80–31 win over Mesabi East, building a big first‑half lead.
The Agates also defeated Deer River 53–37 before a special trip to the Target Center on December 13 to face Carlton/ Wrenshall. The night included Coach Gavin Bopp announcing the game, Coach Tom Nelson running the shot clock, and Coach Jim Anderson serving as official scorer. Head Coach Bill Anderson noted they also brought along “good luck charms” Coach Todd Beck and Coach Kyle Anderson as special guests.
Two Harbors closed out the evening with a 77–44 win. Their streak reached six after a 69–38 victory over North Woods on December 16. The team played International Falls on December 22, with results to be included in a future report. They will face Ely and Mountain Iron–Buhl on the road before the year wraps up.
Attention to youth coaches, families, and fans! We would love to hear about all the good things your teams are doing this season. Send pics and details to sarahwritesnsj@yahoo. com to be included in future Northshore Journal features!
