Photo by Samantha Davis: Dawson-Boyd junior forward Jaxton Hastad dribbles up the court in the Blackjacks’ season-opener against Russell-Tyler-Ruthton on Dec. 1 in Tyler.

SAUK RAPIDS — Gunner Liebl and Jaxton Hastad each logged a double-double to lead the No. 8 Dawson-Boyd boys basketball team past Hope Academy 87-49 Friday afternoon, moving the reigning Class A state champions to a 5-1 start to the season.

Liebl led the way with 24 points on 52% shooting with 10 rebounds and a team-high seven assists. Hastad followed close behind with 18 points, 10 rebounds and five assists along with a team-high four steals.

Dawson-Boyd had 17 assists on its 33 field goals, but the Blackjacks’ defense was a large difference maker with 42 rebounds, four blocks and eight steals on the night. The Lions finished with 26 rebounds, five steals and one block.

Hope Academy was led by Jordan Moss’ 25 points, eight rebounds and four steals.

Carson Stratmoen also finished with another 18 points for the Blackjacks behind shooting a team-best 4 of 8 from the perimeter. He also dished out five assists with his four rebounds.

Landon Malecek and Caden Brent each grabbed five rebounds with 8 and 7 points, respectively.

Overall, Dawson-Boyd shot 45% from the field, 36% from deep, and went 12 for 23 at the free throw line. Hope Academy finished with 35% shooting in the field and did not have a made 3-pointer, and went 7 for 12 at the line.

The Blackjacks were most recently tabbed eighth in the Class A coaches poll released on Monday.

Dawson-Boyd’s lone loss of the early season came by the hands of Class 2A’s No. 5 Morris Area-Chokio-Alberta 66-53 on Dec. 13, but initially started out the year winning its first four games consecutively.

The Blackjacks (6-1) return back to the court today and will take on Hillcrest Lutheran Academy (3-1) at St. Cloud Apollo at 1:15 p.m. They will return back home in the new year to host Southwest Minnesota Christian (4-0) on Jan. 3 at 3 p.m.