Boys' basketball is 2-0, hockey tagged with first loss

Cole Neubert leaps above two Tigers to haul down a rebound in Tuesday's win at Morris. PHOTO BY BROOKE KERN, MORRIS SUN-TRIBUNE.

In a tough road game at Morris on Tuesday, the Mainstreeters boys' basketball team defeated Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta 57-49 in the West Central North Conference opener. As was the case in the season opener at Upsala, Sauk Centre's defense shined against the Tigers while building a 25-14 halftime lead. Leading scorers were Matthew Moritz (21) and Cole Neubert (14). Up next: a sub-section game and border battle at Long Prairie-Grey Eagle next Tuesday. After that is the home opener against their neighbors to the west, Minnewaska Area, on Friday, Dec. 5.

Prairie Centre Area fell to 1-1 on the season by a 4-3 score to host River Lakes at Paynesville on Tuesday. The North Stars were out shot 53-15 but still held a 3-2 lead after two periods, thanks in large part to 49 saves by goalie Mitch Bauer. Up next: the North Stars host Park Rapids Area/Menahga/Nevis/Walker-Hackensack-Akeley next Tuesday in Long Prairie. (Yes, that's a boys' hockey coop.)

The girls' basketball season opener is next Tuesday, Dec. 2 at home against Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta. The Melrose-Sauk Centre Fusion boys' swimming and diving team opens their season in Melrose on Thursday, Dec. 11 against Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato.