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The Hi-Liners gave the top-seeded Thompson Tommies all they could handle for four quarters but fell just short as a pair of timely three-pointers carried Thompson to a 58-54 win.

The first quarter would see both sides feel each other out, with both sides willingly slowing the game down as they looked to expose the other’s weaknesses. Thompson would end up taking 26 total three-pointers during the game but would start out the first quarter sluggish from beyond the arc, only knocking down one of their first six attempts. The Hi-Liners would counter with a continued inside attack, as Valley shot 6-12 from the field in the first quarter to establish the early 13-12 lead.

The start of the second quarter would see the inevitable Thompson three-point barrage commence as the Tommies knocked down four of their eight attempts, nearly doubling their first-quarter total by pouring in 21 2nd quarter points. Valley City, however, would not allow the Tommies to run away as they countered with three three-pointers of their own as Tesa Olson seized control of the quarter with nine points. As both teams headed to their respective locker rooms, Thompson possessed the narrow 33-30 lead.

The third quarter would see Thompson stagger Valley City early on with a 9-0 run that pushed their advantage to double digits. A main reason behind the Tommies’ early surge was Brenna Martin, whose towering presence shut down the Valley City interior attack while also providing a consistent stream of points. Valley City would regroup to cut the lead back down to eight points as the Tommies went into the fourth quarter leading 48-40.

The fourth quarter would see Valley City mount one last desperate charge as they pulled themselves to within a single score as Hi-Liner seniors Tesa Olson and Drew Potratz carried their team back into the ballgame. But a pair of defensive miscues from Valley City would leave the Tommies wide open from deep, and a pair of backbreaking three-pointers would push the Thompson lead to eight. Some late offense would cut the lead back down to four points, but the Tommies were able to run out the majority of the clock as the Hi-Liners were unable to draw any closer before time expired.

With the loss, Valley City finished the season 19-9, wrapping up a 4th-place finish at the state tournament. The next game you can hear on KOVC will be on Monday, March 4th, when the Hi-Liner Boys take on the Lisbon Broncos in the first round of the Region 1 Tournament.

Ivy Real Estate Group Players of the Game: Hadley Thoreson, Drew Potratz, Greta Goven, Tesa Olson