MESABI EAST 78, TWO HARBORS 48
Wednesday’s don’t have a lot of options; only four for today (in reality three). When checking the potential for games on the 21st was going to go to option A, but they played Tuesday (it was still posted on one site). Option B was my next choice, but I had charted both teams. Then option C opened up on Tuesday night. And that is why I made my way up to the North Shore to see Mesabi East at Two Harbors for a matinee. ME was #133 on the list. The reason for the shift to Wednesday was due to school being called off Tuesday in Two Harbors, plus it was senior night for the Agates. The advantage of this game was that it was scheduled to start at 4:15 in the afternoon meaning I would be home at a fairly decent hour.
The Giants joined the twenty win club and came within shouting distance of running time in spoiling Senior night (or day). The ME one-two guard punch of Ava Hill and Hannah Hannuksela combined for 48 points, the exact same total the hosts came up with. Hill, who played as a seventh grader, joined the 1000 point club this winter and she tacked on 32 more today. ME scored three straight times early and led 12-4 at the first TH time out at 13 minutes to go in the first half. ME extended that lead to 40-22 at the break. Not much changed in the second half to break the pattern.
Both teams were able to get the ball in prime scoring position in the lane. In fact TH scored more inside (18 baskets to 16) than ME. ME had a huge advantage behind the arc with nine 3s compared to a pair for TH. ME also made better use of the free throw line with 11 points to six for TH.
This was my first time at the Two Harbors gym. This is a newer school north of town built about 12 years ago. I don’t get up to the northern part of the state too often. Just in section 7AA I have now visited 50% of the schools.
Mesabi East is now 20-5; Two Harbors drops to 9-16. For those wondering about the 100—-another school jumped into the 100 leaving me with 5 left to chart. The weather will have to co-operate for me to get it all done.
For those wondering where Mesabi East is located—-it is the combination of Aurora-Hoyt Lakes and Biwabik. The mascot Giants come from the Giants Ridge ski area.
| Team | PP100 | scorer | Distributor | D stops |
| Mesabi East | 111.4 | Ava Hill 32 | Hannah Hannuksela 13 | Ava Hill 12 |
| Two Harbors | 68.6 | Emily Olson 11 | Carina Hebl 10 | Tori Bott 11 |
TRENCH PLAYER: 5-9 Sophomore guard Ava Hill of Mesabi East