Take a bow, local preps who uncorked rock star performances Tuesday night:
Hermantown career rebounding leader Abe Soumis scored 30 points to power the Hawks past Duluth East 93-75 at Hermantown Middle School Gym. The 6-foot-5 senior power forward, a rising college prospect, is also on pace to become the school's all-time scoring leader. "Abe is the type of player that every coach dreams of having on their team," said Hermantown coach Andy Fenske. "While he's far too humble to talk about his own accomplishments, I think our program realized long ago what a special type of player he is. Not only does he get the job on the court, but he's the type of guy that players go to. He's trusted in the locker room and by the coaching staff with any task that is needed. Currently, he's 5th all-time in scoring for Hermantown, 1st in rebounds, 3rd in assists, 2nd in steals, and tied for 7th in blocks. To add the icing on the cake, I think his best performance is still to come as he continually breaks his own in-game records."
Hermantown (8-5) visits Cloquet (6-6) on Thursday night. The Hawks defeated the Jacks 78-60 on Dec. 7 in Hermantown. Both teams are tied for second-place in the LSC, one point behind leader Duluth Denfeld (6-5).
. Junior guard Jack Battaglia of Cloquet exploded for 28 points in a 65-63 nonconference basketball loss at Crosby-Ironton. Seth Rothamel contributed 16 points for the Jacks.
. Marnaries Ferguson scored 25 points and Ethan Starstead added 18 as Duluth Denfeld blitzed Proctor 92-38 in a Lake Superior Conference boys basketball matchup at historic Denfeld Gym. Ferguson had 22 points in the first half, despite picking up his fourth foul, and the Rails had no answer for Starstead in the paint in the second half. The Hunters host Duluth Marshall (5-4) at 7 p.m. Thursday. The Hilltoppers are led by 6-6 forward Brooks Johnson.
. Tre Sanigar had 19 points to lead Superior past Duluth Marshall 87-58 in a Lake Superior Conference basketball game in Duluth.
. Cloquet's Ava Carlson had 19 points in a 78-59 nonconference basketball home loss to Crosby-Ironton. Quinn Danielson added 12 points for the Jacks.
. Kloe Zentkowski scored a team-high 25 points to lead Superior past visiting Duluth Marshall 65-64 in Lake Superior Conference basketball action, with teammates Annabel Manion and Eva Peterson each contributing 13. Chloe Johnson had 31 points and Regan Juenemann 17 for the Hilltoppers.
. Anna Westby had a game-high 22 points as Rock Ridge blitzed host Duluth East 75-42. Lilly Kuettel and Maggie Winesett combined for 23 points for the Greyhounds.
. Proctor-Hermantown's Hailey Jussila scored two goals as the Mirage lost to Holy Family 4-3 in overtime in a nonconference hockey game in Proctor.
. Brady McGinn scored midway in overtime to lift Duluth Denfeld to a 2-1 nonconference hockey victory over Cambridge-Isanti at East Bethel Arena. Exchange student Valtteri Luhtalampi scored with just over a minute remaining in regulation to force overtime for the Hunters. Denfeld (9-4-1) hosts Little Falls (9-4-0) Friday night and Duluth East next Tuesday at Sill Arena in Duluth's Friendly West End.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Duluth Denfeld boys basketball home games against 6-2 Esko (next Tuesday), 8-5 Hermantown (Jan. 23) and 9-2 Cherry (Feb. 1), as part of a six-game homestand.
