Hartlieb’s Heroics Not Enough for Esko Against Pierz in Semis

Hartlieb’s heroics not enough for Esko against Pierz in semis

DULUTH — With less than a minute remaining in the Section 7AA semifinal against Pierz Wednesday at Romano Gym, Esko senior Graham Hartlieb screamed in celebration as he drained another 3-pointer. The make gave Esko a sliver of hope and Hartlieb at least a slim chance of extending his high school basketball career. Unfortunately for the senior, Pierz junior Tyler Kimman went 3-for-4 at the free-throw line down the stretch and the Pioneers advance…

Boys Basketball: Pierz roars back to beat Esko

DULUTH — Pierz needed a spark in the Section 7-2A Semifinals Wednesday, March 11, at the University of Minnesota Duluth. The No. 2-seeded Pioneers got it in Jaxsen Hardy. The junior guard scored all his 14 points in the second to help the Pioneers come back from a 36-28 halftime deficit to beat No. 3-seeded Esko 75-66. “(Jaxsen) got in a little bit of foul trouble in the first half,” Pierz head coach Joe Kahl said. “He sat on the bench, but he’s…

Esko moves on in 7AA; Rebels bounced

Esko notched another win in the Section 7AA boys basketball playoffs on Saturday while Moose Lake/Willow River's season ended. The win put Esko in the semifinal round against Pierz Wednesday at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Esko lost, 75-66, as this issue of the Pine Knot was going to press. Pierz had knocked the Rebels out Saturday, 96-57. Esko moved up in the bracket with a 71-47 win...

Pierz Boys' Basketball Pulls Away in 2nd Half To Beat Esko in Section Semis

In Section 7AA boys' basketball on Wednesday night, 2-seed Pierz was squaring off in the semifinals with the team that ended their season in last year's semis: 3-seed Esko. The Pioneers jumped out to a double-digit lead early on, but Esko made a push and got their first lead of…