Sports

Sioux open season at Velva Invite

By Bottineau Courant Staff

12/13/2011

The Westhope-Newburg boy’s basketball season continued this past week with four contests, three of which led to a fourth place finish in the Velva Invite.
First on Tuesday the Sioux suffered a crushing loss to St. John 57-52 on the road.

The Sioux then upended Our Redeemer’s in the first round of the Velva Invite 61-49. On Friday in the semifinals the Sioux lost a heartbreaker to eventual runner-up finisher’s Hettinger-Scranton 51-48. The invite ended as the Sioux were again beat in shocking fashion 56-54 against host Velva in the third-place game.

The week began with the Tuesday loss to the Woodchucks in St. John. The Sioux fell behind early in the first quarter, and despite playing with the Woodchucks the rest of the way, came away with a 57-52 loss.

In the loss the Sioux were led by sophomore Hunter Braaten, who had 23 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two assists. Also solid for the Sioux were Ethan Miller (10 points, six rebounds) and Kodie Hancock (10 points, nine boards).

The first-round upset of Our Redeemer’s did not start the way the Sioux would have liked, as Westhope-Newburg trailed 31-30 at halftime. However a strong second half, including a 19-9 fourth-quarter advantage for the Sioux allowed the youthful Sioux hoopsters down the Knights 61-49.

Hancock muscled the inside presence for the Sioux as he captured a double-double in the victory (20 points, 11 rebounds). Hancock also had three blocks, four steals and two assists Senior Wyatt Kitzman also had a double-double with 10 points and 11 assists. Braaten was the only other Sioux in double figures, he had 14 points to go along with six rebounds, six assists and five steals.

Following Thursday’s stunning upset the Sioux entered into a back-and-forth affair with Hettinger-Scranton on Friday afternoon. After taking a 16-10 lead after one quarter, the Sioux relinquished their lead as the Black Devils recaptured a 26-24 lead at halftime.

The Devils extended their lead to 10 after three quarters, but the Sioux made a charge eventually pulling to within three to finish with a 51-48 loss.
Hancock again was the leader for Westhope-Newburg; he had 17 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks, all team highs.

Kitzman had 10 points, six steals and three assists, while Miller also had 10 points.

The Friday loss left the Sioux in another close battle, this time against host Velva and for third place. The Sioux managed to stay ahead in ther first half. After leading by two at the end of the first quarter, the Sioux jumped out to a six-point lead at halftime. Westhope kept the pressure applied and led 50-43 after three quarters of play.

But the Sioux laid an egg in the fourth quarter, and the pressure was applied by the Aggies who went on a 13-4 run in the final quarter to come away with a 56-54 win, and capture third place.

The Sioux shot only 40 percent from the field, though Hancock again was superb. He had 17 points, 10 boards, four blocks and three steals, all team-highs. Miller was the only other Sioux player in double digits with 14 points. The Sioux finished with a poor night from the charity stripe, going 10-for-21 at the free throw line.

Following the weeks contests the Sioux now stand at 2-3 despite having out scored opponents 298-286 this season.

The Sioux will play at Mohall-Lansford Sherwood on Tuesday night and at Kenmare on Thursday, before finishing at Max on Dec. 20 and heading into holiday break.