The Valley City Hi-Liners have been waiting since December 22nd to get another crack at Devils Lake after the Firebirds handed Valley City a 62-29 loss early in the season. The Hi-Liners responded with perhaps their best outing of the year, handing Devils Lake their 5th loss of the season.

The game started ominously for Valley City as the Hi-Liners trailed 9-0 early in the first quarter. Hi-Liner coach Jimmy  Howard would call a timeout as he tried to calm the nerves of a pressing team. The message worked as Valley City would outscore the Firebirds 20-8 the rest of the way as they rose off the mat to capture a 20-17 lead going into the half. Katie Burchill would again shine in the first quarter as she led the way with eight points in the opening frame.

A chaotic tempo would be set in the second quarter as both sides traded buckets and head-scratching turnovers? Torri Fee would emerge as a primary weapon for Devils Lake as she led all scorers with 12 points at the half. But the two banked-in three-pointers of Drew Potratz would be the difference going into the half as the Hi-Liners clutched a 38-30 lead going into the break.

The third would not be a dazzling display by the Hi-Liners, as turnovers and miscommunication allowed the Firebirds to chip away at the lead. With the lead standing at a mere three points, the Hi-Liners again found themselves in a dogfight going into the fourth. However, unlike against Wahpeton, there would be no late collapse as the Hi-Liners would once again show their mental fortitude as they came out and played their best quarter of the season.

Valley City swarmed the Firebirds early and often as the well-rested legs of Valley City were a step faster than the legs of their Devils Lake counterparts. After being held to just six points through three quarters, Tesa Olson would step up, knocking down five free throws, and she finished the game with 13 points. After the game, coach Howard praised his star senior, mentioning how Olson’s unselfishness has opened the offense up for the rest of her teammates. The Hi-Liners would ride a complete team effort to a 70-54 win as they outscored Devils Lake 23-10 in the final quarter.

Valley City now improves to 14-4 on the year, with their next game coming Thursday on the road against the Lisbon Broncos. That game will be part of a doubleheader you can hear on 1490 AM/ 96.3 FM KOVC.

 

Ivy Real Estate Group Player of the Game: Tesa Olson