IN SATURDAY NIGHT January 21 boys basketball action, the Mountain Lake Area (MLA) Wolverines traveled to Ellsworth, and bested the Panthers in a Red Rock Conference tilt, 75 to 51. MLA had opened up a 20-point lead by halftime (46-26), and added to it in the second half for the win. On the night, the Wolverines hit the cylinder from the field at 51% (32-62) and were 10-19, for 52%, from the charity stripe. They tried seven three-point shots, but only connected on one. MLA out-muscled Ellsworth under the basket, grabbing 39 boards to the Panthers’ 27. The big guy, Aaron Fast, scored 19 on the night, while also grabbing nine rebounds, nabbing a pair of steals and recording three blocks. Levi Stoesz had 17 points, three rebounds, two assists and a trio of steals. Three Wolverines added seven points each – Marcus Boyd, Tommy Kraemer and Weston Osland. Boyd was on the boards for four rebounds, with Kraemer grabbing three. The win gives MLA an 11-4 mark, 6-2 in the conference. Next up is a Tuesday, January 24 home game against Lake Crystal/Wellcome Memorial. (Two games that were cancelled due the weather have been rescheduled. The game against Murray County Central at Slayton will be played on Tuesday, January 31, and the home contest versus St. James is now slated for Valentine’s Day – Tuesday, February 14.)
