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by Coach Sam Schmitz Verndale 30, Bertha-Hewitt 49 The Verndale Pirates dropped a Park Region Conference game to the Bertha-Hewitt Bears 30-49 on January 13. The Pirates were hassled on perimeter defense and went through stretches of costly turnovers as the Bears had 28 steals. The Pirates had a higher free-throw percentage and three-point percentage than the Bears, but the Bears were able to score more points in the paint. Aspen Orlando led the Pirates with 9 points and 7 r

by Coach Greg Johnson Verndale 73, Wadena-Deer Creek 46 On Monday, January 12, the Boys Basketball team hosted Wadena-Deer Creek in a Park Region Conference match-up. The Pirates jumped out to a 44-22 halftime lead by creating turnovers and hitting 11 3-point baskets in the half. The final score was Verndale 73 and Wadena-Deer Creek 46. Braylin Deleon led the way with 27 points, 8 assists, and 6 steals on the night. Kyler Vertina added 14 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4

by Coach Greg Johnson Verndale 46 Upsala 74 On Thursday, January 8th, the Boys Basketball team travelled to Upsala to play the Cardinals. The Pirates lost by a score of 74-46. Bryce Pickar led the way in scoring with 19 points. Braylin Deleon added 12 points and 7 assists. Zain Waldahl led the way on the boards with 7 rebounds... Subscribe to get the rest of the story...

by Coach Sam Schmitz After a quick start by the Pirates versus the Henning Hornets, foul trouble got the best of Verndale as they got down 23-38 at halftime. In the second half, Henning’s zone press gave the Pirates some issues, and the Hornets were able to extend the lead. Henning scored 31 points from Verndale turnovers. The Pirates fell 40-80... Subscribe to get the rest of the story...

by Coach Greg Johnson On Thursday, December 11th, the Boys Basketball team hosted the Sebeka Trojans. The Pirates came up short in this one in a very low-scoring game and lost by a score of 39-30. Braylin Deleon led the Pirates in scoring with 14 points. He also grabbed 5 rebounds on the night. Zain Waldahl led the team in rebounds with 6, while Kyler Vertina led the team in steals with 6. Bryce Pickar added 3 blocked shots on the night... Subscribe to get the rest of the st

by Coach Sam Schmitz Despite Emily Elfstrum’s 20-point night, the Verndale Pirates fell to the Sebeka Trojans 40-51 on December 11. Elfstrum hit three second-half three-pointers to keep the game within reach, but the Pirates were unable to get key defensive stops. The Pirates were 7 of 10 (70%) from the free-throw line, but the Trojans had more trips to the charity stripe and were 8 of 25 (32%). The Pirates gave up 32 points in the paint. Elfstrum also grabbed 8 defensive re

by Coach Sam Schmitz In their first Park Region Conference game of the season on December 2, Verndale fell on the road to the New York Mills Eagles 23-73. The Eagles’ size and strength outmatched the Pirates. The Pirates were able to get shot attempts but were cold from both the field and the free-throw line as they made just 25% of their free-throw attempts and shot 21% from the field. Although the Pirates were outsized, they rebounded better in the second half and lost the

by Coach Greg Johnson Verndale 62 Ashby 60 On Tuesday, December 2, the Boys Basketball team opened its season by hosting the Ashby Arrows. The Pirates got the season started with a win by a score of 62-60. The Pirates had three players collect double-doubles on the night. Bryce Pickar had 21 points and 11 rebounds. Chase Jensen had 15 points and 10 rebounds. Braylin Deleon scored 11 points and dished out 10 assists. Stats Zain Waldah 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 6 points

by Sam Schmitz The Pirates did not start their season with a win, but the 19–80 loss to Parkers Prairie provided valuable lessons that will shape games ahead. Much of Verndale’s difficulties stemmed from defending in transition, as they gave up 31 transition points. The Pirates’ offense was disrupted when last year’s leading scorer, Aspen Orlando, was in foul trouble and played limited minutes. Despite poor shooting from the field, the Pirates shot 71% from the free-throw li

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