Crusaders claim district crown with win over Dakota
Coach Wilson: ‘They bought into defense and they love it’
Ask a basketball player if they prefer playing offense and defense, the answer would most likely lean toward scoring on offense.
However, L’Anse Creuse North bought into coach Kurt Wilson’s emphasis on defense and the Crusaders looked like a team having fun doing it on Friday night in their 56-41 district championship game win over Dakota at Anchor Bay High School.
“Day one we talked about defense,” Wilson said. “I thought we did a great job in the first half holding Dakota to 17 points. We only allowed 10 points a quarter. We knew we had some bigs, but we had to develop our guards. Defense is not fun. They bought into defense and they love it.”
The Crusader defense forced the Cougars into shooting from the perimeter and Dakota couldn’t get anything to fall in the first half as LCN built a 27-17 lead behind eight points from Andrew Kozel and six from Lucas Clyne.
“We couldn’t make shot,” Dakota coach Paul Tocco said. “Give L’Anse Creuse North credit because they played hard.”
Dakota closed the gap to 29-22 on a triple by Matt Wouters with 5:53 left in the third quarter.
LCN, though, answered with a 9-0 run, including five points by Jack Caverly, whose trey pushed the Crusader lead to 38-22 with 3:44 left in the period.
“Jack’s smooth,” Wilson said. “He’s matured into the player we thought he was going to be. He’s a great point guard and did a lot of leadership stuff on the floor. We needed it tonight.”
The third quarter ended with LCN on top 44-32, and the Crusaders never let Dakota get the deficit under double digits the rest of the way.
“I love it,” Wilson said. “I wanted it so bad for our seniors. Drew (Kozel) has been here for four years. Luke (Clyne), Joshua (Graham) and Jack (Caverly), when I met those guys the first day, I told them we were going to be OK. It’s a great feeling.”