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|  Fans give encouragement to Jordan Redmond during the Partiots 73-67 win over Crosby-Ironton on Friday night in Pequot Lakes. Redmond finished with 20 points - photo by Jonah Lazerine | Motivation from Redmond, Crowd, Lead Patriots over RangersWeb posted February 21, 2012 By Jonah Lazerine, Student Sports correspondent Senior Riley Johnson knew exactly how to summarize the pre-game emotions an hour before the Patriots and Rangers faced off Friday night in Pequot Lakes: “High intensity. It will be a tough game considering the circumstances, but it will bring us closer together.” The circumstances: Patriot junior forward Jordan Redmond would be attending his father’s funeral on Monday and was going to play. Many fans and classmates wore red in a show of support and calling the event “REDOUT”. Fast forward two hours, and Johnson’s prediction was correct: Redmond rose above a sea of white and maroon jerseys to pull down the game-sealing rebound. The crowd erupted as the final buzzer sounded, and Redmond, who finished with 20 points and dominant rebounding performance, modestly celebrated his team’s 73-67 win over one of their top rivals. Both teams were determined from the outset, and the game was full of clutch free throws and defensive hustle. The Rangers started strong, opening up a 21-12 run on the hot hand of Crosby’s Michael Hoge, who led Crosby with 20 points. The Patriots picked themselves up and responded with a 12-3 run in which Redmond scored six points and drew an important foul. The teams then traded blows until the halftime buzzer with Crosby holding a two-point lead. After a back and forth second half, the late minutes of the game belonged to Pequot Lakes and Redmond. Logan Lange hit consecutive threes and Redmond remained perfect on free throws until there were four minutes left in the game. Redmond finished six for seven on the night from the stripe. Crosby's Garrett Van-Horn and Daniel Hudrlik led a late-game charge with eight points each and tough defense. The duo helped their squad keep the score even until the last three minutes left in the game. Nevin Greer deep three point shot over a defender clanked in to tie the game at 65-65. Despite quality efforts from C-I to push the ball and get to the rim, the Patriots didn’t let off the gas. With 32 seconds remaining Johnson was fouled and drained both free throws signaling the end for the Rangers. Johnson turned in 10 points, with a perfect five-for-five from the line. “I was just thinking about the next play, [and] who I was guarding,” Johnson said of his thoughts while at the free throw line. The fans were on their feet for the final two minutes of the game, cheering at high volume whenever Redmond got the ball in his hands. As Redmond pulled down the final rebound, the team’s fans poured onto the gym floor. “[This win] showed great character from our guys, and the feeling in here was almost too emotional, but it helped us out,” said Patriots coach Gary Grewe after the game. What seemed to make the Pequot fans the proudest was rallying around Redmond, and judging by the post-game emotions, likely renewed their passion of Patriots basketball. Patriots 65, Hilltoppers 55 Logan Lange shined from beyond the arc scoring 18 points while dishing out five assists to lead the Patriots past Duluth Marshall 65-55 on Tuesday, Feb, 14 in Pequot Lakes. Jordan Redmond’s physical game in the paint led to a double double as he scored 13 points and grabbed a Pequot Lakes’ team-high 10 rebounds. Riley Johnson added five points and four rebounds, and Nolan Michaelson coupled stellar defense while adding 11 points. The Hilltoppers were led by John Fox with 12 points and Eric Miklausich with 11. The Patriots face off against Class AA’s 4th ranked Perham Yellowjackets tonight at home. Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m. Patriots 73, Rangers 67 Crosby-Ironton: W. Goodwin 11, Hoge 20, Baker 16, Jacobs 4, Van Horn 8, Hudrlik 8. Pequot Lakes: Greer 15, Lange 16, Michaelson 4, Johnson 10, Redmond 20, Jacobson 8. Patriots 65, Hilltoppers 55 Duluth Marshall: Heyer 10, Fox 12, Kneepkens 7, Zenner 7, Brashaw 8, Miklausich 11. Pequot Lakes: Leagjeld 5, Greer 8, Lange 18, Michaelson 11, Johnson 7, Duval 3, Redmond 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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