OLSON DOMINATES, VIKINGS SEPARATE FROM LIONS LATE
MINOT, ND – Kindred will have a chance to defend their Class B boys’ basketball title after holding off Bishop Ryan 61-55 in the first semifinal from the Minot State Dome. The Vikings had trouble shaking the Lions for the majority of the game, but two fourth quarter dunks by Jaiden Peraza gave Kindred a major spark that lifted them to victory.
Kindred had to rely primarily on their half-court sets with Bishop Ryan’s precision passes and ball-control offense limiting the Vikings’ fast break opportunities. Paul Olson was sensational with 25 points, three blocks, and two steals. Riley Sunram posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
The Lions trimmed the Vikings’ cushion to one on a couple of occasions in the second half, but could never take the lead. They were led by Brady Feller’s 14 points. Carson Merck added 13 points and two assists.
Bishop Ryan clashes with Lamoure-L/M in the third match matchup Saturday at 6:00 pm. The Vikings will face Four Winds/Minnewaukan in the State B title game to follow.
Quarter scoring:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| Bishop Ryan | 8 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 55 |
| Kindred | 9 | 20 | 13 | 19 | 61 |
Scoring Summary:
Bishop Ryan – Feller 14, Merck 13, Johnson 10, Walz 10, Will 6, Reindel 2
Kindred – Olson 25, McQuillan 13, Sunram 12, J. Peraza 8, Woehl 3
FOURTH QUARTER RUN PROPELS INDIANS PAST LOBOES
MINOT, ND – Four Winds/Minnewaukan didn’t have their typical number of transition points, but their defense was superb as they defeated Lamoure-L/M 52-36 to punch their ticket to the State B championship.
The Indians led 36-26 at the end of the third quarter, but came out scorching to begin the final frame, opening the fourth on a 9-0 run, giving them some much-needed breathing room to win comfortably.
FW/M’s Jacolby Pearson adeptly scored and distributed the ball, netting 16 points and dishing out six assists. Mr. Basketball finalist Jayden Yankton added 14 points, while sophomore Deng Deng had 10 points.
The Loboes turned it over 24 times, shot under 35% from the field, and were a putrid 2-16 from three-point land. They were paced by junior Colton Ness with 14 points.
The Indians are seeking their first B boys’ crown since 2016. They’ll try to exact revenge on Kindred, who knocked them out in the state semifinals of last year’s tournament.
Quarter scoring:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 8 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 55 |
| LaMoure-L/M | 9 | 20 | 13 | 19 | 61 |
Scoring Summary:
Four Winds/Minnewaukan – Pearson 16, Yankton 14, Deng 10, Leftbear 8, K. Keja 2, Nestell 2
LaMoure-Litchville/Marion – Ness 14, Musland 9, Potts 6, Piehl 3, Bowman 2, Mart 2
Saturday Schedule
7th Place: Bowman County vs. Stanley – 1:00 pm
5th Place: Shiloh Christian vs. Grafton – 2:45 pm
3rd Place: Bishop Ryan vs. Lamoure-L/M – 6:00 pm
Championship: Kindred vs. Four Winds/Minnewaukan – 8:00 pm
