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The Northland Eagles boys and girls basketball teams enjoyed a memorable event by playing against the Nevis Tigers at the Target Center on Saturday, February 7. Although a win was not attained by either squad, both were all smiles after the game as this was a unique experience for all players, coaches and fans that made the trip down to Minneapolis. Many were entertained by going to the Minnesota Timberwolves game (a win vs Memphis) the night before. For some it was their first experience to see a professional game in person.

Against Nevis, a team sitting with an 18-2 record heading into the contest and a very likely #1 seed for section 5A with eyes set on a state tournament run, the Eagles struggled early and could not keep up with the taller, more experienced Tigers. The good thing about this experience was that all players got their chance to play a lot more than usual as the outcome of the game was decided really by halftime and both teams coaches were able to substitute freely and often so all players could get their chance on the Timberwolves floor.

The game would show a Nevis victory 79-48, but hopefully all will remember the day they were able to shoot from the same court as where some of their "heroes" get to play.

Coach Carlson would like to thank, "Coach Jen Kovall for doing all the leg work on this and getting it to happen, the Northland Booster Club, Larry "the bus driver" for the safe journey, and most of all to the parents, grandparents, friends and fans that made the trip down to make it truly a memorable experience."

On Friday, February 13, the boys would play host to the Spartans of Nashwauk-Keewatin. The Spartans brought a 12-9 record into the game and the Eagles were poised to notch a win over their conference opponent.

Early on it was all Eagles as they raced out to a 9-0 lead, before the Spartans would chip away and close to 18-12 with just under six minutes to go before half. The Eagles would extend the lead to 25-14 before the Spartans closed the half with a small spurt to whittle the lead down to 27-20 at halftime.

For the first nine minutes of the second half the teams would trade runs. The Spartans started the half out by closing to within one at 31-30. The Eagles would score the next seven points to get back up by eight at 38-30 with 12:04 left in the game and appeared to have taken control back of the game.

Over the next three minutes the Spartans would score nine straight points to take their first lead of the night at 39-38 with 9:11 to go.

Trading baskets and the lead over the next seven minutes left the Eagles down 53-50 with 2:05 remaining. Free throws by Spartan shooters and cold shooting at the end sealed the game as the Eagles lost a very hard fought game 59-54.

The boys played extremely hard throughout and you could see the disappointment on their faces at the end. Coach Carlson although also disappointed with the outcome was not disheartened by the players performance and effort. "For the better part of the game the boys controlled the play and this was the most fun I had seen them have in any game so far. The second half, they (Nashwauk) changed up their defense and we weren't able to hit some shots, but on the whole the boys played very well. We all, coaches included, will learn from this one as it stings a bit."

Eagles 27 27 54

Nashwauk- 20 39 59

Scoring- M Woods- 15, Z Greene-11, Z Meyers-2, J Wicks-12, C Kovall-12, J Stefan-2

Monday, February 16 game vs McGregor was Parents Night. The last two regular season games on Friday, February 20 vs Hill City at home and the boys finish out the regular season with a trip to Sebeka on Saturday, February 21.

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