January 18, 2012

Watford girls blast Tioga 72-25

By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor

Watford City’s varsity girls basketball team picked up two big wins this past weeks as the Wolves knocked off Tioga and North Shore-Plaza to improve their season record to 8-2.
The Wolves crushed Tioga, 72-25, in Region 8 action and then got by North Shore-Plaza, 67-63, in District 15 action.
This week, the Wolves will host Divide County on Thursday, Jan. 19.

Watford City 72, Tioga 24
In a very lopsided game, Watford City cruised to a 72-24 win over the Tioga Pirates last Tuesday.
Watford City used a smothering defense to explode to a 19-3 first- quarter lead en route to the easy win.
“Tioga struggled against our pressure,” stated John Zenz, Wolves’ head coach. “We were able to get everyone into the game after the starters got an early rest.”
Watford City jumped out to a decisive 19-3 first-quarter lead and then blew the game wide open, outscoring the Pirates 20-9 in the second stanza to take a commanding 39-12 lead into the lockers at halftime.
The Wolves would continue to dominate the offensive action in the second half of play as Watford City outscored Tioga, 21-7, in the third quarter and then coasted to the win.
Three Watford City players hit double-figure scoring against the Pirates with Brianna Allex pacing the Wolves with 14 points and eight rebounds. Also in double-digit scoring for Watford City was McKayla Haugeberg with 13 points and 10 steals and three assists, while Amanda Mogen shot six of nine from the field for 12 points.
 Also scoring for the Wolves was Katie Mogen with seven points, Madison Brown and Taylor Sparby with six points each, Jessica Brown with five points, Charlie Hystad with four points, Fallon Fladeland with three points and Sadie Kieson with two points.
Watford City    19    39    60    72
Tioga                   3    12    19    24


Watford City 67, North Shore-Plaza 63
Watford City picked up a big District 15 road win on Thursday as the Wolves defeated the North Shore-Plaza Wildcats, 67-63.
Watford City trailed the Wildcats by four points, 31-27, at halftime but a big third-quarter performance by the Wolves set the stage for the come-from-behind win.
“Brianna Allex stepped up big in the third and fourth quarters for us,” stated John Zenz, Wolves’ head coach. “NSP switched to a zone defense and she hit four of four from behind the three-point line and made some big free throws down the stretch for us.”
Allex ended the game scoring a team high 28 points to lead the Wolves to the win.
Watford City turned the tide in the game in the third quarter as the Wolves outscored the Wildcats, 21-13, to take a four-point, 48-44, lead into the final eight minutes of play.
And then the Wolves hung on to take the win with both teams scoring 19 points in the final eight minutes of play.
“We only shot 40 percent from the field, which is an area of concern for us,” stated Zenz. “We need more consistent scoring, especially in the post.”
Joining Allex in double-digit scoring for the Wolves was McKayla Haugeberg who netted 13 points and had five steals in the game.
Rounding out the scoring for Watford City was Sadie Kieson with nine points, Katie Mogen with eight points, Amanda Mogen with four points, Charlie Hystad with three points and Fallon Fladeland with two points.
Watford City    15    27    48    67
NSP                   17    31    44    63

WATFORD CITY WEATHER