Devils Lake, N.D. (NewsDakota.com)—–New Rockford-Sheyenne (NRS) outlasted the fourth rated Indians of Four Winds-Minnewaukan (FWM) 58-53 to capture it’s first Region 4 title since 2005. The Rockets had 4 players score in double figures led by junior Hunter Thompson’s game high 18 points. Tucker Longnecker added 12 points, Bo Belquist 11, and Teddy Allmaras 10 points keyed the Rocket victory. The Rockets biggest lead in the first half was 7 points at 22-15 and they led 30-25 at halftime.
FWM would erase their 5 point deficit in the third quarter outscoring NRS 20-11 and had a 45-41 lead at the end of the third quarter. Doug Yankton paced the Indians with a team high 14 points. Bronson Walter (6’9 sophomore) scored 13 and JaeShaun Shaw added 11 points for FWM. The Rockets clamped down defensively in the final quarter outscoring FWM 17-8 securing the victory. With their largest lead of the night at 58-50 in the final seconds, FWM hit a 3 pointer to end the night as the NRS fans stormed the Sportscenter floor.
NRS had 11 total turnovers in the game, only 3 in the second half and FWM turned the ball over 13 times. The Rockets cashed in at the foul line connecting on 12 of 15 free throws, 80 percent. FWM went 6 of 11 from the foul line. FWM, finished their season at 20-4 overall and were ranked number four in the final class B poll of the year. NRS, now 22-3 (2 of their losses to FWM), were ranked number 9 in the final poll of the year and will move on the state tournament in Minot next week. Rockets head coach Tyler Cook was the starting point guard for NRS and helped lead the Rockets to 3 consecutive state tournaments from 2003-2005, finishing as the 2005 state champions.
Region 4 awards:
All Region team (voted on by the coaches of Region 4)
NRS—Bo Belquist & Teddy Allmaras
Dunseith–Hunter Gladue & Michael Two Hearts
FWM—-Doug Yankton
Dakota Prairie—-Tyler Loe
St. John—-Bradley Defender
North Star—-Keaton Kvilvang
Coach of the year was Rick Smith of FWM and the senior athlete of the year went to Michael Two Hearts of Dunseith.
