Minot, ND (NewsDakota.com) – After winning the Region 3 tournament last year, the Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier Rebels were robbed of a trip to the State Tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  They came back this year with one goal in mind, and that was to repeat the feat and get the opportunity they lost.

The Rebels took no time making the most of their trip this year, winning their first game against the Rugby Panthers 67-63 to move on to the semi-final round on Friday.  The Rebels were hot early, shooting nearly 50% in the first half and taking a 14-point lead into halftime (37-23).

The Rebels led by as many as 18 in the second quarter and had two player in double digits in the first half: seniors Jorgen Paulson and Alex Huber, with 13 and 12 points, respectively.  The Rebels only had two first half turnovers compared to nine for the Panthers, which was a main driving force behind EKM growing a lead.

The third quarter flipped the script, as Rugby came out hot and started chipping away at the lead right away.  After being outscored 19-9 in the second quarter, the Panthers did one better, outscoring the Rebels 17-6 to bring the score to 43-40 entering the fourth.

The Panthers tied the game at 43 right away in the fourth, but senior Paxton Mathern hit back-to-back-to-back three-pointers to give the Rebels a lead they would not relinquish.  Rugby made several valiant comeback attempts, but a few timely baskets and two made free throws from each Huber and fellow senior Chayse Entzi in the final minutes sealed the win for the Rebels.

Senior Warren Walker carried the Panthers through stretches of the game, especially in the first half, when he had 13 points and no other Panther scored more than four.  Walker finished with a game high 25 points, including shooting 4-8 from the three-point line.  Fellow seniors Isaiah Bundy-Smith (14 points) and Trey Welstad (13 points) were the only other Panthers in double digits.

The Rebels had a more balanced attack, led by Huber who finished with 17 points, four rebounds, five assists, and three steals.  Paulson had 15 points, and Mathern and junior Adam Nitschke each finished with 11.

EKM moves on to the semi-final round Friday against the Grafton Spoilers.  That game will begin at 6:30 pm.  The Panthers move to the consolation bracket and will take on the Powers Lake Ranchers in the first game Friday, set to begin at noon.