Jamestown, ND (NewsDakota.com) – The final day of action in the Girls’ District 5 Basketball Tournament took place Monday night, with two teams eliminated, two teams qualifying for the Region 3 Tournament, and a District Champion crowned. The only team from the District that did not play was the Barnes County North Bison, who were eliminated on Saturday.
(#3) LaMoure-Litchville/Marion Loboes 65 – (#5) Griggs-Midkota Titans 48
The Loboes moved on to the Region Tournament on the shoulders of junior Molly Musland, who put on a clinic in a do-or-die first game of action Monday. Musland scored 13 points in the first quarter and 25 in the first half on her way to a game-high 34.
(Side note: Parents from the LLM side said that 34 was the standing school record for a single game. I cannot confirm this.)
Musland added one more highlight to her career when she scored her 1,000th career point during the second quarter. The LLM cheering section gave off the feeling of anticipation while waiting, and they erupted when the ball went through the basket, displaying signs with “1,000” on them.
Musland had a very good all-around game, adding five rebounds and a game-high five steals. Freshman Tessa Rasmusson was the only other Lobo with more than six points, adding 18, including three three-pointers, and three steals.
The Loboes took a 20-15 lead into the end of the first quarter, then steadily increased their lead to 15 by halftime before finishing with the 17-point advantage. The Titans played well early, but Musland and the Loboes were too much and ended up with an easy victory.
Sophomore Asia Becherel led the Titans with 16 points. Junior Emma Kollman added 12 (with two three-pointers) and four steals. Senior Kennedy Hannesson had 10.
The Titans were eliminated from postseason play, while the Loboes move on to the Region 3 Tournament as the #3 seed from District 5, and they will play the Kidder County Wolves in the first round next Monday at 7:30 pm.
(#4) Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier Rebels 52 – (#6) Ellendale Cardinals 36
The Rebels jumped out to a fast start and never let the Cardinals get a chance at a serious comeback as they earned their way into the Region Tournament. Sophomore Norah Entzi scored the first nine points of the game for the Rebels, and sophomore Kiara Jangula came off the bench to score 10 first quarter points as the Rebels led 21-9 after one.
Freshman Kali Norton helped keep the Cardinals as close as she could, scoring seven points in both halves to lead her team. Senior Abby Molan battled foul trouble in the first half, but she had a solid game with 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Cardinals. No other Cardinal had more than three points.
The Rebels entered the fourth quarter leading by only seven (34-27), but their offense came alive in the fourth quarter, scoring 18 points. Junior Emily Kinzler scored 14 to lead the Rebels, and 12 of them came in the fourth quarter. Entzi and Jangula both finished with 12, and freshman Mataeya Mathern added 11.
The Rebels move on to the Region Tournament as the #4 seed from District 5, and they will take on the Linton-HMB Lions next Monday at 3 pm. The Lions won the District 6 Championship.
(#1) Carrington Cardinals 58 – (#2) Oakes Tornadoes 44
The Tornadoes looked like the best team in the tournament through their first two games, winning 66-28 and 66-39, but they met their match in the District Championship game against the Carrington Cardinals.
The Cardinals struggled offensively in their first game of the tournament Saturday (after having a first round bye), only scoring 37 points. The offense looked much better and more balanced Monday night, after junior Sydnie Grager did most of the scoring on Saturday.
Grager still had 11 points inside, but senior Hannah Hagel made sure things kept moving smoothly, scoring 10 first half points and continually driving into the lane and breaking down the defense. Hagel led the Cardinals with 14 points, senior Lexi Page scored 13 points, and senior Kenzie Edland had 10.
The Tornadoes were led by senior Sadie Hansen, who scored a game-high 20 points. Sophomore Laikyn Roney added 10 points and seven rebounds, but no other Tornado had more than six points.
Both teams move on to the Region 3 Tournament, with the Cardinals entering as the #1 seed and Tornadoes the #2 seed from District 5. The Cardinals will play the Medina-Pingree-Buchanan Thunder in the first round of the tournament at 6 pm. The Tornadoes will play the Napoleon-Gackle-Streeter Imperials at 4:30 pm.
The wrap- up of the first day of action can be found here.
The wrap-up of the second day of action can be found here.