Minot, North Dakota (NewsDakota.com)—-The Kindred Vikings and Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier (EKM) Rebels were locked into a defensive slugfest in the class B championship game, but Kindred found enough offense to to claim the 2021 title with a 40-34 victory. Paul Olson (6’4 junior) from Kindred was the offensive spark for the Vikings, pouring in a game high 23 points, and added 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 assists. Olson had a breakaway dunk attempt in the third quarter but was fouled during the attempt, although the dunk attempt didn’t happen, the ball somehow went in and a three point play was the result with the made free throw. Olson would get his dunk a few minutes later, this time hammering down the dunk uncontested that seemed to spark the Viking offense. Olson would deliver the assist of the night as well in the 4th quarter with a ally-oop pass to teammate Jaiden Peraza (6’4 junior) who finished off the pass with another exclamation point dunk. Peraza finished the game with 8 points.
Despite the offensive struggles for EKM they kept the game close, tied at 16 at halftime, and trailed 28-21 after 3 quarters. The Rebels had the ball in the final 2 minutes trailing 37-34 but could get no closer. Alex Huber (6’6 senior) led the Rebels with a team high 17 points and was tabbed the 2021 state tournament MVP. Paxton Mathern added 7 points for the Rebels. The Rebels outscored the Vikings in the 1st quarter 12-8 and the final quarter 13-12, but were outscored 20-9 in the middle 2 quarters. The Rebels finished up the year with a 24-3 overall record and Kindred finished 21-5.
State tournament awards:
2021 State Tournament MVP—–Alex Huber–EKM
2021 All State Tournament Team:
Alex Huber–EKM–unanimous selection
Stevan Garza–Grafton–unanimous selection
Gavin Keller, Paul Olson, and Jaiden Peraza–Kindred
Jacob Daniel—Dickinson Trinity
Brandon Albrecht and Will Jiskra—Grafton
Tyson Enget—Powers Lake
Warren Walker—-Rugby
Bronson Walter–Four Winds-Minnewauken
Paxton Mathern—-EKM
2021 Senior Athlete of the Year—–Jessie White–White Shield High School, White would also be tabbed as the 2021 North Dakota Mr. Basketball winner as well. White finished his prep career as the third leading scorer of all time in the state of North Dakota.
2021 Coach of the Year—-Rick Smith—Four Winds-Minnewauken
3rd Place Game
Grafton 58 Four Winds-Minnewauken 47
5th Place Game
Dickinson Trinity 72 Rugby 47
7th Place Game
Powers Lake 60 Shiloh Christian 49