by Maxton Peterson
Sports Intern
Thief River Falls dominated both halves and cruised to an 81-48 season-opening boys basketball win over Red Lake County Friday night at the Lincoln High School Brickhouse.
“I thought it was a great overall performance,” said Thief River Falls Head Coach Jon Hams. “We were solid on both ends. Well rounded attack and very efficient on offense. All guys played great.”
In the first half of play, the Prowlers outscored the Rebels 48-26, capped off by  junior Caleb Rosendahl’s buzzer beater putback.
The Prowlers continued to hold the momentum in the second half finishing off the 81-48 win. The Prowlers were led in scoring by senior Jack Manning’s 28 points and 9 rebounds.
Defensively the Prowlers had 11 steals and seven blocks, quickly turning these extra possessions into opportunities on the offensive end with their quick style of play.
The last time the Prowlers and Rebels met, the Prowlers defeated the Rebels 67-53 on the road to open the 2021-22 season.
Expectations are high for 2022-23 season
Expectations are higher than ever for the Thief River Falls boys basketball team.
“My expectations for the upcoming season are very high,” said head coach John Hams of the Thief River Falls Prowlers boys basketball team. “Last year making it to the section semifinals was I believe a jump start on how far we can make it this year.”
Last year, the Prowlers finished with a record of 20-7, giving them the number four seed in the Section 8AA playoffs. The Prowlers defeated Red Lake and Warroad before eventually losing to the DGF Rebels in the section semifinals.
The Prowlers lost six seniors last year but have three returning starters: senior Jack Manning, who averaged 21 points and 8 rebounds in 2021-22; senior Jack Rosendahl, who averaged 12 and 6; and junior Caleb Rosendahl, who averaged 8 and 3 last season. The other roles on the team are open to be filled.
“I think this year’s team will have a slight offensive advantage with the ability to score a few more points,” Hams said. “I think we should be good on the offensive end with the ability to play up-tempo and both inside and outside. Defense is always a question mark.”
How the rest of the section will play is still unknown, but the Prowlers seem to have an identity that they seem comfortable to play with.
“As per our goals, I think we are in the top third,” Hams said. “With that being said, DGF and Pelican [Rapids] have most of their teams back. Perham is always tough, and you never know who the dark horse might be.”
Scoring
Thief River Falls  48 33  81
Red Lake County 26 22  48
TRF – Jack Manning 28, Jack Rosendahl 18, Caleb Rosendahl 12, Jake Friedrich 11, Austin Potucek 7, Jesse McDougall 3, Nathan Nelson 2.
       RLC – N/A
Section 8AA W/L, QRF
Fergus Falls 1 0 0.0
Pelican Rapids 1 0 0.0
Perham 1 0 0.0
Thief River Falls 1 0 0.0
Wadena-Deer Creek 1 0 0.0
East Grand Forks 1 1 0.0
Roseau 1 1 0.0
Barnesville 0 0 0.0
DGF 0 0 0.0
Red Lake 0 0 0.0
Crookston 0 1 0.0.
Frazee 0 1 0.0
Hawley 0 1 0.0
Park Rapids 0 1 0.0
Warroad 0 1 0.0
Menahga 0 2 0.0