Make it seven blowout wins for the Park Rapids Panthers this season. They simply couldn't be stopped on Monday as they easily beat Crookston 92-59 on the road. Given Park Rapids' advantage in MaxPreps' Minnesota basketball rankings (they are ranked 104th, while the Pirates are ranked 348th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.
Park Rapids' victory was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Noah Morris, who scored 29 points along with five assists and four steals. As a matter of fact, that's the most points Morris has scored all season. Ryan Carroll was another key contributor, dropping a double-double on 19 points and ten rebounds.
Park Rapids has been performing well recently as they've won 11 of their last 13 games, which provided a nice bump to their 13-6 record this season. As for Crookston, they are on a four-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 4-15.
Park Rapids will be playing at home against the Knights at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday. West Central Area knows how to get points on the board -- the team has finished with flashy point totals in its past five matchups -- so hopefully the Panthers like a good challenge. As for Crookston, they will head out on the road to challenge the Wolverines at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
