GRAND RAPIDS - Kobe Ahonen scored a game-high 20 points and pulled down 12 rebounds to help the Brainerd Warriors beat the Grand Rapids Thunderhawks 57-48 in the season opener for both teams Tuesday night.
Michael Russell contributed 15 points for Brainerd which led 31-21 at the half.
"For the first game, I thought we played pretty well," Brainerd coach Scott Stanfield said. "We only had 10 turnovers and I thought we ran the stuff we had in really well.
"Kobe had a double-double and really played well all night with a lot of energy. Michael Russel during a stretch when we weren't shooting too well came up with some big outside shots including two threes that gave us a little cushion. I thought Luke West also down the stretch hit a couple nice driving layups including one 3-point play that really helped us a lot."
The Warriors outrebounded Rapids 37-29.
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"Defensively we were really good all night," Stanfield said. "We rebounded really well. I thought our kids limited them to one shot quite a bit so we're really happy with that part too.
"We'll get some rest and go after Rogers (at home Saturday afternoon)."
Grand Rapids 21 27 - 48
Brainerd 31 26 - 57
GRAND RAPIDS
Bryce Prochazka 1, Jake Skelly 10, Isaac Brown 6, Tyler Baird 15, Christian George 2, Nate Seelye 4, Jack Namyst 6, Blake Smith 4. FG 18-44 (41 percent), FT 6-10 (60 percent). 3-point 6-24 (25 percent). Rebounds: 29.
BRAINERD
Michael Russell 15, Luke West 7, Jack Geraets 7, Chris Pederson 8, Kobe Ahonen 20. FG 17-51 (33 percent), FT 16-25 (64 percent). 3-point 7-26 (27 percent). Rebounds: 37 (Ahonen 12). Overall: 1-0. Next: Brainerd hosts Rogers 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
