By Chad Koenen

Publisher

New York Mills won its fifth straight game and for the sixth time in their last seven games as the Eagles defeated Park Rapids Area and Browerville-Eagle Valley in non-conference action. In the two wins, the Eagles outscored their opponents by a combined 141-85 margin.

During its current five game winning streak the Eagles have not had a game closer than 14 points as they have continued to secure double digit wins by outscoring their opponents by a 357-234 margin. NY Mills is currently 9-2 on the season and 6-1 in the Park Region Conference. 

NY Mills is currently the third ranked team in the QRF in Class A, trailing just Mayer Lutheran, who is ranked first and Mahnomen-Waubun. In addition to Mahnomen-Waubun, the other top 10 teams in the QRF in Section 6A includes Ashby, who is ranked sixth. 

This week the Eagles will host Verndale on Tuesday and Sebeka on Friday in a pair of Park Region Conference games. 

Thursday

NY Mills hit the road on short notice after a previous game against Bertha-Hewitt was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns and made the trek north to Park Rapids Area on Thursday. The Eagles held the Panthers to just 10 points in the first half due to an overwhelming defensive pressure that lead to a number of fast break points. The Eagles led 39-10 at halftime and went on to defeat the Panthers by a score of 69-40.

Head coach Jason Boe said he was pleased with how the Eagles came out of the gate on the defensive end of the court early on in the game. 

“We set the tone early with our defensive pressure which has been the norm of late.  We are still looking at sustaining that throughout games.

Jason Boe

Three Eagles reached double figures in the win as Tate Olson scored 18 points to go along with 9 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals. Jonah Johnson scored 12 points, 5 steals, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, while Breck Hensch also reached double figures with 12 points 6 rebounds and 2 steals.

Noah Noffsinger filled the stat column on Thursday as he scored 7 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists; while Derin Gaudette scored 6 points, 3 assists and 3 steals; Isaiah Laudenbach scored 6 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals; Chase Keskitalo scored 5 points, 2 rebounds; Trey Gilster scored 2 points, 1 steal and Cale Rudolph scored 1 point and 1 steal. 

Friday

NY Mills won its fifth straight game with a 72-45 win over Browerville-Eagle Valley on Friday night. The Eagles outscored the Tigers by a 36-22 margin in the first half and continued to find success on the offensive end of the court in the final 18 minutes of action to come away with the 72-45 win. 

Head coach Jason Boe said the coaching staff is pleased with not only how the team has performed on the court, but their attitude and the leadership being shown by the group of seniors on the team.

“We’re very pleased and proud on how our boys are listening to instruction and buying into their roles, especially our seniors.  We couldn’t ask for a better group of seniors. They are exemplary young men and unselfish teammates. We’re so thankful and appreciative of them,” said Boe. 

Tate Olson and Jonah Johnson both recorded a double-double in the win, as Olson finished with 22 points, 16 rebounds, 9 assists and 5 steals to lead the way. Johnson scored 17 points to go along with 11 rebounds and 2 steals. 

Also chipping in for the Eagles was Noah Noffsinger with 7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals; Derin Gaudette scored 6 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals; Isaiah Laudenbach scored 6 points, 3 rebounds; Chase Keskitalo scored 4 points, 4 rebounds; Jace Rudolph scored 2 points, 1 assist and Trey Gilster rounded out the scoring with 2 points.