Call them Crosby-Ironton’s iron five.

As it has all season, Crosby-Ironton (30-2) played just five players until the game’s final seconds Friday at Target Center in a 53-42 victory over St. Cloud Cathdedral. Noah Gindorff scored 19 points and Trey Jacobs added 17, including his career 1,000th point, for Crosby-Ironton.

“That’s very common for us,” Crosby-Ironton coach Dave Galovich said. “We don’t have many juniors. I don’t know if we’re an iron-five or not, but I knew it was my job to get these guys into great shape.”

The Rangers built a 25-17 first half lead on the strength of Gindorff, both as a scorer and rebounder. The powerful 6-6 forward was recruited heavily as a football player by new University of Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck. Gindorff resisted, however, and signed with his first commitment, North Dakota St., in February. He finished with 13 rebounds.

“He’s a monster,” said St. Cloud Cathedral junior Michael Schaefer, who led the Crusaders with 15 points. “He’s got that football body and he’s athletic.”

St. Cloud Cathedral (26-6) couldn't mount a serious second-half rally, never getting closer than seven points in the second half.

With the victory, Crosby-Ironton earned its sixth chance to win a state championship. The Rangers have played in championship games in 1944, 1947, 1987, 2008 and 2010 but have never won. 

With a 53-42 victory over St. Cloud Cathedral in the Class 2A semifinals Friday, Crosby-Ironton earned one more chance to end what has become a dubious distinction:

The Rangers will be playing for a state championship for the sixth time in team history but have never won a title. They’ve finished second in 1944, 1947, 1987, 2008 and 2010.

It’s somewhat fitting that Crosby-Ironton (30-2) used an iron-five to defeat St. Cloud Cathdedral. The Rangers did not go to their bench until the game’s final seconds. Noah Gindorff scored 19 points and Trey Jacobs added 17, including his career 1,000th point, for Crosby-Ironton.

The Rangers built a 25-17 first half lead on the strength of its physical center of Gindorff, who had 11 points before halftime. He added 13 rebounds for the game.

Gindorff was the object of new University of Minnesota football coach P.J. Fleck, who attempted to sway him from his football commitment to North Dakota State when Fleck took the Gophers’ job. Gindorff eventually signed with North Dakota St.

St. Cloud Cathedral (26-6) was never able to mount a serious second-half rally. The closest the Crusaders could get with seven points on a three-pointer by Keaton LeClaire with 6:35 remaining, but Crosby-Ironton was able to answer.

Junior Michael Schaefer led St. Cloud Cathedral with 15 points. He also collected his 1,000th career point in the game.

Check back later for more on the game.