A District 15 sweep
Eagles, Wildcats, Braves, Wolves dominate Region Tournament
By Jerry W. Kram
The North Shore Plaza Wildcats had the Powers Lake Ranchers’ number for three quarters of their opening round game of the Region 8 Boys Basketball Tournament held at Williston State College on Monday. The Ranchers tried to come back in the fourth quarter, but the Wildcats 18 point third quarter cushion proved insurmountable as they claimed an 8 point 64-56 victory.
Costas Kok’s inside shooting and Alec Lee’s outside marksmenship combined to stake the Wildcats to an early lead. The Wildcats never trailed after the first few minutes of the game. They led the Ranchers 16-12 in the first quarter and 32-22 at the half. Lee led the Wildcats with 18 points and Kok added 16. Austin Schenfish started off the second half with two quick buckets for four of his 14 points as the Wildcats built their largest lead of the game 51-33 just before the end of the third quarter. Jacob Edwards was the other Wildcat in double figures with 15 points.
"Austin and Costas really had good first halves for us," said Wildcats Head Coach Josh Johnson. "When Austin can get going for us, that is huge. Costas got some good points for us early and got us points down the stretch. He really showed his senior leadership. He saw the court really well tonight."
The Ranchers, behind Curtis Marden’s 23 points and Levi Hoiby’s 22 points attempted to come back in the final quarter, outscoring the Wildcats 21-13. But the Wildcats’ lead held and they will move on to battle the New Town Eagles on Tuesday in the tournament semifinals.
