Taking Charge: Rockets add another district win to season record

Another one bites the dust, or so they say.

The New Rockford Sheyenne girls' basketball team has defeated another team in District 4 – this being the Nelson County Chargers.

This district matchup was held in McVille on Tuesday, Jan. 30. The Rockets went out with a vengeance after the NR-S boys' came up short against the Chargers the night prior.

Full speed ahead and the Rockets were off!

NR-S guards Kelsie Belquist and Kaiya O'Connor were the first to chip away some points for the Rockets – Belquist with 10 of her 19 points just in the first quarter and O'Connor with five.

The Chargers, however, only scored a total of five points in the first quarter, with a 3-pointer by Nelson County eighth grader Kenley Blasey and a field goal by Sydnee Johnston.

The Rockets kept out-scoring the Chargers in the second quarter, as they added 16 points to the scoreboard. The Chargers were able to add in six more points before the half to trail the Rockets by 20 points.

Momentum seemed to slow down for the Rockets in quarter three, as they fell short of scoring double digits with a total of eight.

Blasey fired up once again for the Chargers, and sent her second 3-pointer of the night into the net. But the Chargers just couldn't keep up.

The Rockets went out with a bang, scoring the most points of their night in the fourth quarter with 17. The Chargers scored nine more points before accepting the 56-27 District 4 defeat.

Belquist led the Rockets in points with a total of 19, followed by O'Connor with 16 and Ava Peterson with 10.

Top scorers for the Chargers were Blasey with 11 and Johnston with 10.

As for the junior varsity teams, the score was flip-flopped. The Chargers came out on top 51-45 to take the win.

Leading the Rockets was Camebria Engels with 10, followed by Addysen Fandrich with nine.

Scoring in double digits for the Chargers was Bailey Flaagen with 15, McKenna Anderson with 13 and Rylee Flaagen with 10.

Continuing on in District 4 play, the Rockets hosted the May-Port-C-G Patriots on Saturday, Jan. 27.

The Rockets are starting the week off strong with two home games. First up, the Rockets will host the Griggs-Midkota Lady Titans (A,B,JH) on Monday, Jan. 29 starting at 4:30 p.m. On Tuesday, Jan. 30, the Rockets are to host the Warwick Lady Warriors (A,B), a rescheduled game from earlier in the season, starting at 6 p.m.

The District 4 Tournament is on the horizon. Make sure you go out and cheer on your Rockets in their final games of their regular season!

District 4

Girls' Basketball

NR-S 56, Nelson Co. 27

Tuesday, Jan. 23

at McVille

NR-S: 15 16 8 17 - 56

NC: 5 6 7 9 - 27

NR-S: Kelsie Belquist 19, Kaiya O'Connor 16, Ava Peterson 10, Addysen Fandrich 5, Emmie Belquist 4, Trysta Thumb 2. Totals: 20 FG, 12-20 FT, 13 fouls. 3-pointers: O'Connor 4.

Nelson County: Kenley Blasey 11, Sydnee Johnston 10, Cara Sateren 4, Brandi Lippert 2. Totals: 11 FG, 2-6 FT, 11 fouls. 3-pointers: Blasey 3.

Junior Varsity

NR-S 45, Nelson Co. 51

NR-S: 12 11 8 14 - 45

NC: 10 8 12 21 - 51

NR-S: Camebria Engels 10, Addysen Fandrich 9, Emmie Belquist 8, Jaida Schumacher 8, Isla Jacobson 7, Tillie Swart 2, Bailey Jacobson 1. Totals: 18 FG, 9-12 FT, 19 fouls. 3-pointers: I. Jacobson 1.

Nelson County: Bailey Flaagen 15, McKenna Anderson 13, Rylee Flaagen 10, Nevaeh Huso 4, Aubree Christianson 4, Brandi Schock 2, Dagan Slade 2, Emily Larson 1. Totals: 17 FG, 11-25 FT, 16 fouls. Fouled out: Huso. 3-pointers: B. Flaagen 3, Anderson 2, R. Flaagen 1.