North Woods handed the Nevis boys basketball team its first loss of the season in a battle of two of the top Class A teams in the state Saturday at Duluth East.
Jack Landquist was the only Nevis player to hit double figures with 13 points as North Woods remained undefeated on the season with a 54-39 victory during the MLK Jr. Classic. Luke DeWulf (8) and Michael Landquist (6) combined for 14 points. Luke DeWulf added five rebounds and two assists while Jack Landquist and Tom Wormley had three rebounds each. Michael Landquist dished out four assists and Zach Henry had three assists and two steals for the Tigers, who led 34-33 after trailing 29-23 at the half before North Woods took control down the stretch.
"We took our first loss of the season against the No. 1-ranked team in Class A," said Nevis head coach Scott Kramer. "The final score really didn't tell the story. Our defense played great again, but we kind of stalled offensively late and it was the difference."
Northwoods improved to 12-0 while Nevis, which was rated No. 3 in the latest state Class A poll, fell to 10-1.
The Tigers prepared for that matchup with a 64-44 victory over Lakeview Christian Academy Friday night.
Wormley tallied a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds to go along with three steals while Michael Landquist had 14 points, seven rebounds, five steals and two assists. Jack Landquist also hit double figures with 12 points while adding nine rebounds and three steals. DeWulf and Henry dished out two assists each for the Tigers, who took control in the second half after taking a 32-26 lead into the half.
Jacob Easty scored 10 points to lead LCA, which fell to 5-6 on the season.
NEVIS: Henry 6, E. Kramer 2, Spain-Brist 6, C. Kramer 8, J. Landquist 12, M. Landquist 14, Wormley 16.
LAKEVIEW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY: Benson 2, B. Easty 8, S. Johnson 5, Puffer 3, J. Easty 10, R. Johnson 7, BarBee 9.
Halftime: Nevis 32, LCA 26.