Boys playoff action heats up this week

Local boys basketball teams began first-round playoff action Monday night, with playoffs throughout the week with state playoff berths at stake.

Section 5A

Carlton County schools in the 5A tournament are Barnum and Cromwell-Wright. The Bombers, with a record of 18-8, received the No. 1 East Seed and the Cardinals, with a record of 12-12, are the No. 2 East Seed. Both teams were set to play on Thursday at home, with Barnum vs. St. John's Prep and the Cardinals facing McGregor.

Section 7A

The 7A tourney opened on Monday, when No. 16 Carlton opened against Bigfork, the No. 17 seed. The Bulldogs had a great first half and doubled up on the Huskies 34-17 at the break and went on to a 70-55 win.

By virtue of their win on Monday the Bulldogs will now get to play the No. 1 seed Cherry Thursday, which finished with a 22-4 record in the regular season.

Local teams which will also see action on Thursday after receiving opening round byes include:

-No. 8 South Ridge vs. No. 9 Nashwauk-Keewatin. The Panthers enter the tournament with a record of 14-9.

-The Fond du Lac Ogichida are seeded 12th and will play at No. 5 seed Duluth Marshall. FDL enters the tournament with a 7-16 record.

-The Wrenshall Wrens finished the regular season with a record of 12-12 and picked up the No. 11 seed and will take the court in Chisholm.

All the teams that win on Thursday will move to the quarterfinal round on Saturday at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Section 7AA

Esko and Moose Lake/Willow River are the lone local schools in 7AA vying for state tournament berths. Esko had an impressive regular season, going 22-3 and locking up the No. 1 seed. The Rebels also had a strong year and finished with a 17-8 record, which was good enough for the No. 3 seed.

The Eskomos were set to open at home Thursday against No. 16 International Falls. Moose Lake/Willow River was to play Thursday against No. 14 Mesabi East.

Should Esko and Moose Lake/Willow River win, they would move into the quarterfinal round Saturday in Hermantown. The 7AA tournament will move to UMD Tuesday with the championship game set for Thursday at UMD.

Section 7AAA

Cloquet received the No. 4 seed in the six-team Section 7AAA tournament. The Lumberjacks will open play on Friday at home against No. 5 seed Grand Rapids, a team Cloquet beat twice during the season. A win by the 'Jacks on Friday moves them into a game at No. 1 seed Hibbing. Should Cloquet win, it would play for the title at Duluth East next Thursday.