HUNTER, N.D. – The Valley City Hi-Liners girls’ basketball team started the night strong with a dominant victory, led by Katie Burchill’s commanding 32-point performance. Burchill controlled the paint against an undersized Jaguars squad, while Kinlee Sufficool provided a spark off the bench, knocking down three three-pointers for a season-high 11 points.

Dacota Potratz added 12 points, doing most of her damage in the first half before fouling out early in the fourth quarter. Her absence in the second half, however, didn’t prevent the Hi-Liners from pulling away, as they secured a comfortable 70-47 victory.

For the Jaguars, Haidyn Crockett was the lone bright spot, finishing with 22 points. However, the Hi-Liners’ defense kept her in check for much of the game, holding her to 14 points with three minutes remaining. The loss marks the Jaguars’ 13th in their last 14 games.

The Hi-Liners will conclude their regular season at home against the Carrington Cardinals on Friday at 7 p.m.

Hi-Liner Boys’ Comeback Falls Short

The Hi-Liners boys’ team entered the game without 6-foot-7 center Jack Dieterle, who was ruled out with the flu. Bryson Heck carried the early load for Valley City, hitting a buzzer-beater at the end of the first quarter to pull the Hi-Liners within a point.

However, the absence of Dieterle became evident in the second quarter, as the Jaguars controlled the paint. After a buzzer-beating three by Brooks Crockett, Northern Cass took a 29-20 lead into halftime.

The third quarter started ominously, with Valley City trailing by double digits for most of the period. However, after nearly three quarters of offensive struggles, Miken Mattson caught fire, draining three consecutive three-pointers to bring the Hi-Liners within four points entering the final quarter.

Mattson and Heck continued their heroics, cutting the deficit to one as Valley City searched for a go-ahead basket. But back-to-back three-pointers by Brooks Crockett put the game out of reach, and the Hi-Liners’ comeback fell short in a 55-48 loss.

Heck finished as the game’s leading scorer with 23 points, while Mattson added 17. The Hi-Liners will return to action on Monday, Feb. 17, at home against the Lisbon Broncos.