January 26, 2011

Wolves survive a scare

By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor

Watford City’s varsity boys basketball team survived a big scare as the Wolves outscored Trinity Christian 10-6 in overtime to pull out a 63-59 win over the Crusaders last Thursday evening.
This week, the Wolves will be playing a tough schedule as Watford City will be playing four games. The Wolves will travel to New Town on Thursday, trying to avenge an earlier season loss to the Eagles, and then will be hosting the Trenton Tigers on Saturday in a tough Region 8 match-up. Watford City will then close out the week’s schedule when they host Bowman on Monday evening in a make-up game that was snowed out, and then travel to Parshall on Monday, Feb. 1.

Watford City 63, Trinity Christian 59 (OT)

Watford City definitely had their hands full as the Wolves took on a very good Trinity Christian team in a Region 8 matchup last Thursday evening.
And from the opening tip-off, it was evident that the Crusaders were not going to roll over against Watford City.
In a hard-fought game, the Crusaders jumped out to a 9-4 lead early in the first quarter. But in less than a minute’s time, Watford City, on the heels of a three-pointer by Trey Jacobson, a layup by Nick Liebel and a free throw by Tyler Flatland, had turned the tables on the Crusaders, and were on top 10-9.
While neither team was able to gain a significant lead in the first half, the Wolves would hold a four-point, 18-14, advantage at the end of the first half.
The Wolves would up their lead to as much as 14 points in the third quarter, but the Crusaders would come roaring back in the fourth quarter on a flurry of three-pointers to deadlock the game at 53-53 at the end of regulation play.
Liebel provided the offensive spark for the Wolves in the overtime as he scored six of Watford City’s 10 points.
Liebel would put the Wolves on top, 55-53, when he canned two free throws. While the Crusaders would tie the game one more time with 2:30 left in the game, key baskets by Liebel and Tyler Bates would put the Wolves on top for good with a four- point advantage, 61-57, with 1:30 left in the game.
The Crusaders would make one last charge cutting Watford City’s lead to two points, 61-59, with 21 seconds left in the game, but two more free throws by Liebel with 15½ seconds left on the clock would give the Wolves the 63-59 overtime win.
The Wolves had three players score in double figures with Trey Jacobson pacing Watford City with 17 points, while Liebel and Shawn Fulwider netted 14 points each in the winning effort.
Rounding out the scoring for Watford City was Tyler Flatland with nine points, Tyler Bates with six points and Jason Shipman with three points.
Watford City             18    31    45    53    63
Trinity Christian    14    23    35    53    59

WATFORD CITY WEATHER