The Minnewaska boys basketball team opened up the 2022-23 season with a 80-54 loss at Redwood Valley, Saturday afternoon.  The Lakers trailed only 42-31 by halftime before being held to just 23 points in the second half.

This week, the Lakers are set to host Sauk Centre in the home opener, Tuesday (tomorrow), before playing at Montevideo, Thursday.  Back to lead the Lakers again this year is head coach Hunter Salathe, who will be assisted by Dan Dahl, Nick Danielson, Brian Walker, Zach Traphagen and Gabe Eisenbacher.

Redwood 80, Lakers 54

Hunter Kloos had 16 points, eight rebounds and two steals to lead the Lakers during their season-opening 80-54 loss at Redwood Valley, Saturday.

The Lakers, who shot 38 percent from the field (21-for-55) and 4-of-7 from the free-throw line, trailed 42-31 at halftime.  The Cardinals dominated the second half, outscoring the Lakers 38-23, and expanding their lead to 20-plus points late in the game.

Minnewaska, which shot 8-of-28 (28 percent) from three-point range, also got nine points and three boards from Tenzin Dahl, along with six points each from three different players.

PJ Johnson had six points, three rebounds and four assists, while Alex Panitzke had six points, three boards and two assists, and Ryland Martin also had six points along with three rebounds and two steals. Also scoring for the Lakers were Blake Andreas with five points and three rebounds, Noah Palmer with four points and Dylan Alexander with two points, three rebounds and two assists.

at Redwood 80, Lakers 54

Minnewaska 31 23– 54

Redwood Valley 42 38– 80

WASKA stats: 21-55 FG (8-28 3pt); 4-7 FT; 27 rebounds; 10 assists; 6 steals; 13 fouls . . . Scoring:   Hunter Kloos 16, Tenzin Dahl 9, PJ Johnson 6, Alex Panitzke 6, Ryland Martin 6, Blake Andreas 5, Noah Palmer 4, Dylan Alexander 2 . . . Rebounding:  Kloos 8, Andreas 3, Johnson 3, Panitzke 3, Martin 3, Alexander 3, Dahl 3 . . . Assists:  Johnson 4, Panitzke 2, Alexander 2 . . . Steals:  Martin 2, Kloos 2

REDWOOD stats:  Stats not available