The Zimmerman Thunder hung around but were unable to catch Detroit Lakes in a 60-55 Laker victory in boys’ basketball Tuesday night at Ralph Anderson Gymnasium.
The Lakers busted out to a 21-11 lead late in the first half and Detroit Lakes held a 10-point advantage for much of the first half leading to a 29-20 lead at intermission.
DL stretched the lead to as many as 14 points early in the first half on a three-pointer by Christian Hedstrom.
Hedstrom had three baskets from behind the arc and a team-high 18 points. Hedstrom was quick and effective on the defensive end and in transition. He played sharp in a rather sloppy game.
The Laker advantage fluctuated around 10 points to the midway point of the second half.
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Thunder sophomore Chandler Wellman cut the lead to seven at 47-40.
Wellman led all scorers with 23 points.
Thunder Heyer made two free throws at 4:01 cutting the score to 49-44 Lakers and DL’s lead was its smallest at 50-46 on a transition layup by Taylor McEachern after both teams turned the ball over.
Hedstrom answered with a three, but Zimmerman made two runs to trail by five points twice, the final time with 8.6 seconds remaining.
The Lakers missed two free throws late but were able to corral the rebound and put the game away.
Corbin Duncan was in double figures with 10 points and made a pair of important steals in the waning minutes.
DL won for the ninth time in 10 games after a week off over the holiday. The Lakers have another week off to prepare for 6-5 Fergus Falls next Tuesday, Jan. 6 in the Otter gym.
Game note: Laker starting center Ben Hokanson was in street clothes serving a one-game suspension after being ejected at Bemidji for a rather voracious dunk, according to a trusted source.
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Laker results
Zimmerman at Detroit Lakes, Tuesday, Dec. 30.
ZIM 20 35 - 55
DL 29 31 - 60
ZIM: Chandler Wellman 23, Taylor McEachern 12, Kody Dwyer 8, Derek Williams 5, Thunder Heyer 4, Mack Riley 2, Damie Vangstad 1
DL: Christian Hedstrom 18, Corbin Duncan 10, Trey Lyngaas 9, Ryan Cihak 7, Jacob Richter 6, Briton Thompson 4, Connor Johnson 3, Nick Nordmark 2, Sam Champa 1
