NR-S clinches #2 District 7 seed; defeats Wildcats

Eighth-ranked New Rockford-Sheyenne took care of business in the game that counted, but nearly fell victim to what would have been one of the biggest statewide upsets this season on Tuesday night.

The Rockets completed their District 7 run with five wins in six games to earn the number two seed in the upcoming tournament at Devils Lake with an 80-56 win over Benson County in Leeds on Saturday, Feb. 9, utilizing five double-figure scoring performances.

In New Rockford three nights later, the Griggs County Central Cougars, owners of a 4-12 overall record coming into play, came to town for a nonconference affair with nothing to lose, and certainly played that way.

Coach Tyler Cook's Rockets took the best the Cougs had to offer, and barely came out on the winning end in a 61-59 squeaker.

NR-S came out with guns smoking against Benson County, hitting six first-quarter three-pointers. Four of those alone came from Parker Granger, as he scored all 12 of his points in the period, and Hunter Thompson hit the other two.

This time around, it was senior forward Tucker Longnecker's turn to take the offensive mantle in the win over the Wildcats, as he scored 15 points to lead a balanced attack. Bo Belquist finished with 14, Teddy Allmaras 13 and Thompson 11.

The Wildcats, who finished as the fourth seed in District 7 with a 3-3 mark and currently sport a 9-9 record for the season, were led by Carter Tandeski's 20 points. Keaton Nelsen also had 12 for Benson County.

Full statistics from the game against Griggs County Central were not available at press time.

NR-S (15-2 pending their Feb. 14 game against Midkota and a makeup game with Rolette-Wolford) starts their District 7 Tournament Friday evening at the Devils Lake Sports Center, and will square off against the #7 seed in the second game of the night scheduled for around 6 p.m. The identity of that team, either HWC, Warwick, or Lakota, was not finalized, as all three squads had a 1-5 District 7 record.

Opening round matchups also feature #4 Benson County against the to-be-determined #5 seed at 4:30, and #3 Dakota Prairie (12-5) will face the #6 seed, also to be determined, in the 7:30 nightcap.

The top overall seed, Four Winds-Minnewaukan (16-2) has a first-round bye, and will face the #4/#5 game winner at 6 p.m. on Saturday. The #2/#7 and #3/#6 victors would play in the second semifinal immediately afterwards.

Region qualifying and championship games at District 7 will be held Monday, February 25, with the winners and championship participants advancing to the Region 4 Tournament, also at the Sports Center, starting Monday, March 4.

District 7 Boys' Basketball

NR-S 80, Benson Co. 56

at Leeds

NR-S 28 22 14 16 80

BC 15 10 14 17 56

NR-S: Tucker Longnecker 15, Bo Belquist 14, Teddy Allmaras 13, Parker Granger 12, Hunter Thompson 11, Nathan Holzwarth 8, Evan Ulrich 5. Totals: 32 FG, 7-13 FT, 12 fouls. Three-pointers: Granger 4, Thompson 3, Belquist, Allmaras. Technical foul: Belquist.

Benson Co.: Carter Tandeski 20, Keaton Nelsen 12, Gunnar Hagen 9, Blayne Anderson 5, Kadin Neppl 5, Sam Hill 4, Will Rice 1. Totals: 22 FG, 10-13 FT, 15 fouls. Three-pointers: Nelsen 2, Anderson, Neppl. Fouled out: Anderson.

NR-S 61,

Griggs Co. Central 59 at New Rockford

Statistics not available.