Esko won its own Coaches Classic boys basketball tournament with a convincing 80-63 victory over Cannon Falls on Saturday night.
Payton Wefel had 25 points, with 21 coming on seven 3-pointers, for the Eskomos, who have won three in a row. Esko's Trevor Spindler added 18 points.
Duluth East 71, Hibbing 48
A big first half powered the Greyhounds over the Bluejackets in the third-place game of the North Star Showcase in Hibbing.
Will Van Scoy totaled 18 points, 12 of which came from 3-point range, as the Greyhounds opened up a 44-23 halftime lead en route to their fourth win in five tries. East's Noah Winesett added 10 points, while teammate Noah Paulson, an all-tournament team selection, chipped in nine.
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Eli Erickson and Luke Lundell scored 11 points apiece for Hibbing, which shot just 10 of 25 from the free-throw line.
Duluth Denfeld 80,
Pine City 72
Joe Cvancara (33 points) and Armon Freeman (29) lifted the Hunters at Cloquet's Wood City Classic.
Ely 86, Cook County 64
Sharpshooter Patrick Vanderbeek knocked down seven 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 40 points to lead the host Timberwolves in their Hoops for Hope tournament.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Esko 57, St. Anthony Village 43
The Eskomos, who received 18 points from Kristy DeMuth, raced to a 27-13 halftime lead and won the Esko Coaches Classic semifinal to advance to Monday's championship game opposite Hermantown, a 30-point winner over Mesabi East.
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BOYS HOCKEY
Duluth Denfeld 6,
Apple Valley 1
Griffin Lehet scored once in the first period, twice in the second and again in the third to power the Hunters to a third-place finish at their Heritage Holiday Classic at Heritage Center.
Denfeld lost 2-1 to Mankato West in a Friday night semifinal when Brandon Swenson scored with 58 seconds left in overtime.