Numbers keep adding up for Rangers' Tesdahl

It's hard to believe because he accumulates so many, but there are only two numbers Bryce Tesdahl cares about.

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Those two numbers are the ones dealing with the Crosby-Ironton Rangers boys' basketball team's record.

The junior guard has amassed many other numbers to lead Class 2A's third-ranked Rangers to an 11-1 start.

One of those victories was an upset win over then second-ranked Pequot Lakes Jan. 19. In that game, Tesdahl tallied 29 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and six steals.

After the physically draining victory, Tesdahl helped C-I to an 88-29 blowout of Eveleth-Gilbert, finishing with 14 points and 12 assists in limited action.

"When we played Pequot (on Jan. 9) we came out in the first half ready to play and we went into the locker room up by 10," said Tesdahl. "We had a good feeling coming into the second half but we came out flatfooted and they came out ready to play.

"On the 19th we had to be ready to play in front of our big home crowd. We had to win to stay in the hunt for the No. 1 seed in the section and the conference race. Pequot's a great team and we were lucky enough to play well against them and get the win."

Tesdahl reached the 1,000 career points milestone by tallying 29 in an 87-46 win over Duluth Marshall Jan. 14. Tesdahl added nine rebounds and seven assists.

Year: Junior

School: Crosby-Ironton

Sport: Basketball

Position: Forward

Key stat: Had 25 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and six steals against Pequot Lakes

He became the sixth Ranger, and the eighth descendant of Chisholm head coach Bob McDonald, to reach the 1,000-point mark. Tesdahl has one aunt, three uncles and two cousins who have reached the mark in addition to his mother, Sue (McDonald) Tesdahl, who finished her career at Chisholm with 2,152 points.

"It was a big goal for me to live up to my family's 1,000-point legacy," said Tesdahl. "It's a relief off of my shoulders. I was so glad I got it before the Pequot game. I'm happy I got it because I've been struggling with my shot."

Tesdahl's sophomore season was statistically sensational. He led the Brainerd lakes area with 624 points (21.5 per game), 256 rebounds (8.8) and 187 assists (6.4). He was second in steals with 191. He shot 43.1 percent from the field and 70.8 percent from the foul line to lead a sophomore-filled Ranger team to a 24-5 record and to the Section 7-2A semifinals.

Through the first 12 games of this season, Tesdahl has 218 points (17.8 per game), 104 assists (8.7) and 87 rebounds (7.3) to go with 32 steals. He's shooting 45 percent form the field, 78.7 percent from the line.

But, for Tesdahl, the most important numbers are 11-1, a possible Mid-State Conference title and the top seed in the West Subsection 7-2A playoffs.

"When your leader is willing to share the ball and get everyone involved it helps," said Rangers coach Dave Galovich. "I think one very important aspect is Bryce's competitiveness and his desire to win is No. 1 with him. To do that he's willing to do whatever it takes, whether that's scoring, rebounding, getting assists. He's willing to do what it takes to win games."

Other notable performances

Basketball: Joe Lennon, Pillager, had 22 points and 10 rebounds against Hill City.

Chad Lanners, Pierz, had 17 points and 13 rebounds against Maple Lake and 20 points and five rebounds against Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa.

Caleb Nurnberger, Staples-Motley, finished with 25 points against Wadena-Deer Creek.

Wayne Kopp, Verndale, scored 30 points against Henning.

Shane Finck, Verndale, had 26 points against Henning.

Jesse Fisher, Pequot Lakes, finished with 21 points, eight rebounds and five blocks against C-I.

Hockey: Jared Festler, Little Falls, finished the week with nine goals and four assists in three games.

Wrestling: Jesse Hernandez, Pine River-Backus, won his 100th career match at the Osakis tournament.

Sam Moenkedick, Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale, finished the week 4-0 and earned his 100th career victory.

Travis Hallberg, Aitkin, finished the week 7-0.

Hank Virnig and Clint Poster, Pierz, finished the week 7-0.

Jason Brill, Little Falls, finished the week 7-0.

JEREMY MILLSOP can be reached at jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5856.