Wolves are State Tournament bound
By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor
After rolling over the New Town Eagles, 49-34, in the Region 8 Semifinals, the Watford City girls basketball team punched their ticket to the 2011 State Class B Girls Basketball Tournament on Thursday, defeating the Stanley Blue Jays, 58-42, to claim the Region 8 Championship.
Watford City’s first round action in the State Class B Tournament will be at 8:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 17 when the Wolves take on the Central Cass Squirrels, the Region 1 Champions, at the Bismarck Civic Center. The last time that a Watford City girls basketball team earned a trip to the State Tournament was five years ago.
Region 8 Championship Game
Watford City 58, Stanley 42
After playing Stanley twice earlier in the season, Watford City knew that it would have its hands full against a much stronger and more physical Blue Jay team in the Region 8 Championship game at the Williston State College Well.
But as in each prior meeting, Watford City’s quickness more than made up for their size and strength as the Wolves knocked off the two-time defending Region Champions, 58-42.
In a hard-fought first quarter, the Wolves held a 13-11 lead before opening the game up in the second stanza, outscoring the Blue Jays, 14-8, to take a 27-19 lead into the lockers at halftime.
With Stanley being able to control the paint, Watford City relied on the long ball to keep the Blue Jays at bay. The Wolves drained five three-pointers in the first half and then two more in the second half.
While the Wolves would lead throughout the third quarter, Stanley would battle back in the fourth quarter cutting Watford City’s lead to just four points, 42-38, with four minutes remaining in the game.
But Marti Quale, who finished the game with 17 points, would spark Watford City’s offense as she drained a three-pointer to put the Wolves on top by seven points, and turn back a Blue Jay comeback.
The Wolves then secured the win at the free-throw line as Stanley was forced to foul Watford City.
Joining Quale in double figures for the Wolves was McKayla Haugeberg with 14 points.
Rounding out the scoring for Watford City was Brianna Allex, Alexis Sanford and Dani Bates with seven points each, while Jayme Johnson ended the game with six points.
For the game, the Wolves were good on 16 of 50 from the field, including going seven of 19 from behind the arc. At the free-throw line, Watford City connected on 19 of 31 attempts.
Watford City 13 27 37 58
Stanley 11 19 30 42
Region 8 Semifinals
Watford City 49, New Town 34
Watford City had three players score in double figures as the Wolves cruised by the New Town Eagles, 49-34, in semifinal action of the Region 8 Girls Tournament on Tuesday evening.
The Wolves jumped out to an 18-11 first-quarter lead, and then used a strong third quarter to cruise to an easy win. After holding a 25-18 halftime lead, Watford City outgunned the Eagles, 10-5 and 14-11, in the final two quarters of play.
McKayla Haugeberg and Dani Bates led both teams in scoring as they netted 11 points each for the victorious Wolves, while Alexis Sanford netted 10 points. Bates also hauled in 10 rebounds for a double-double.
Also scoring for Watford City was Jayme Johnson with six points, Marti Quale with five points, Ashli Foli with four points and Brianna Allex with two points.
For the game, the Wolves shot 12 of 56 from the field, including hitting on three of 17 three-pointers. At the free-throw line, Watford City was good on 22 of 33 attempts.
Watford City 18 25 35 49
New Town 11 18 23 34