REGION 4 BOYS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT: Rockets burned by Dragons

The biggest difference in this game was the third quarter as Dunseith came from behind and defeated New Rockford-Sheyenne by a final score of 58-53 in first round action of the Region 4 Boys Basketball Tournament played at Devils Lake on Monday, March 9.

A trey by Treagan Azure gave Dunseith a 9-5 lead with 6:10 to go in the first. The Rockets went on an 8-0 run to close out the quarter scoring on a bucket by Hunter Thompson with 2:30 left and it was 13-9 Rockets after one. A trey by Johnny Grann put the locals up 16-9 with 7:44 remaining until halftime. Dunseith cut the lead to 23-18 on a trey by Gabe Davis with 3:54 to go. A trey by Evan Ulrich made it 29-20 with 2:22 to go. Davis made his third trey of the quarter with 0:03 left and it was 31-23 Rockets at halftime. Bo Belquist made a trey with 7:02 to go in the third putting the Rockets up 34-23.

However, Dunseith came back in a big way after that. They went on a 20-4 run to close out the quarter on a trey by Azure with 1:03 and it was 43-38 in favor of the Dragons after three. A trey by Belquist cut the lead to 50-47 with 4:55 to go. Two big free throws by Ethan Morin gave the Dragons a 55-47 lead with 1:51 to go. Belquist canned another trey with 1:27 left to close the gap to 55-50 but the Rockets would get no closer and again Dunseith came away with a 58-53 win.

At times, it was a very physical game despite the fact that each team made several three pointers. The Dragons made seven key free throws in the fourth quarter. Dunseith shot quite well from the floor, especially in the second half, while the locals really struggled from the floor in the second half. Ethan Morin paced the Dragons with a game high 21 points. Gabe Davis added 19 points. New Rockford-Sheyenne did have good balanced scoring. Bo Belquist lead the way with 17 points. Evan Ulrich had 14 points and Hunter Thompson chipped in with 11 points. It seemed like the Dragons played with more energy in the second half, although the Rockets could not seem to catch any breaks. Dunseith made 19 field goals, 9-16 free throws and committed 10 fouls. New Rockford-Sheyenne made 20 field goals, only 1-5 free throws and committed 14 fouls.

The Rockets lose the following seniors to graduation and they will be greatly missed. Bo Belquist, Nathan Holzwarth, Colter Soderholm, Hunter Thompson, Ben Schafer, Nick Presnell and Cole Johnson. New Rockford-Sheyenne closes out the season at 15-8 overall. Congratulations to the players and Head Coach Tyler Cook and Assistant Coach Elliott Belquist on a good overall season. Thanks to the fans and parents for their support. Next season could be quite promising.

Region 4 Quarterfinals

Monday, March 9

Dunseith vs. NR-S

Dunseith 9 14 20 15 = 58

NR-S 13 18 7 15 = 53

Dunseith: Sage Williams 8, Treagan Azure 8, Julius Grant 2. Three-pointers. Davis 5, Morin 4, Azure 2.

NR-S: Nathan Holzwarth 8, Johnny Grann 3. Three-pointers Belquist 5, Ulrich 4, Holzwarth, Thompson, Grann.