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The Ely Timberwolves went two-for-two in rematches, but one was much closer than the other.
After beating Cook County in lopsided fashion for the second time in as many weeks, the high school girls basketball team got off to a slow start against Class AA Two Harbors in a Dec. 28 match-up in the Hoops for Hope for Holiday Tournament.
Despite being ice cold from long-range, the Wolves did just enough to secure a 49-46 win and a first-place finish in the home tournament.
Ely, now 7-3, also beat Cook County 73-25 in a Dec. 26 first-round affair.
The Wolves had won handily at Two Harbors in late-November, but the Agates got out to an 8-0 lead early on against the Wolves but couldn’t put the hosts away.
Ely went nearly nine minutes without a first-half point but stayed in the contest, pulling to within four points at 22-18 at the break.
The Wolves picked up the tempo in the second half but still clung to a narrow lead late in the game.
An intentional foul proved costly to Two Harbors, and junior Zoe MacKenzie sank two key free throws that iced the win.
Senior Clare Thomas led the way for the Wolves, notching a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
Sophomore Lydia Shultz also had a big all-around day, with eight points to go with six rebounds, six assists and six steals.
Senior Maija Mattson and sophomore Ruby Lowe finished with six points each for the winners and MacKenzie was next with five points. Audrey Kallberg, a sophomore, snared seven rebounds to go with four points.
Ely had no difficulties in the opening round, sinking seven three-point baskets against the overmatched Vikings.
Ruby Lowe had five of the triples on the way to a season-high 15 points, while Kallberg pulled down rebounds at will, finishing with 20. Many led to putbacks and she led all scorers with 24 points.
Shultz had eight points, seven assists and five steals for the day, and Mattson picked up eight rebounds and scored six points.
MacKenzie added 10 points and four rebounds for the Wolves while sophomores Gretta Lowe and Kaylin Visser both hit the scoring chart with four points each.
• The Wolves met North Woods Thursday night and the home stand continues Tuesday (7:15 p.m.) against Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin.
