Eskomos cool hot Cloquet start

For the second time this season, rivals Esko and Cloquet met in boys basketball and for the second time it was the Eskomos prevailing over the Lumberjacks, this time by a much closer score of 75-69 on Tuesday night in Cloquet.

Back on Dec. 9, the teams met in Esko with the Eskomos winning by 17 points. This time the game was much tighter as the Lumberjacks led 34-31 at halftime, only to have the Eskomos bounce back to win.

Esko had four scorers in double digits and were led by the 23-point effort of Cuinn Berger, who scored 19 in the second half. Also in double digits were Sam Haugen with 14 points, Dalton Spindler with 13, and Koi Perich with 11. Rounding out the scoring were Carter Zezulka with six points and Jacion Owens and Bryce Hipp with four points each.

The Lumberjacks got big offensive efforts from Jack Battaglia and Marco Mayorga with 24 and 23 points. Reese Sheldon had 12 points. Wrapping up the scoring for the 'Jacks were Kollin Bonneville with six plus Joe Bailey and Seth Rothamel with two points each.

The Eskomos improved to 16-3 with the win while the loss dropped the Lumberjacks to 10-11.