Sports

Sioux dominate opponents, win streak at four

By Tyler Ohmann

12/25/2012

Convincing wins over Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood (MLS) and Kenmare extended the Westhope-Newburg boy’s basketball team’s win streak to four games.

The wins also improved the Sioux’s overall record to 5-2 on the season.

The Sioux began their strong week with a 61-36 blowout of MLS on Tuesday. Westhope-Newburg played strong defense in the first and fourth quarters to easily triumph over the Mavericks.

“Things are finally starting to get better,” said junior Ethan Miller. “It started off not that well, but it’s starting to get better.”

Miller led the Sioux with 12 rebounds and also added eight points and seven assists.

Fellow junior Hunter Braaten had a team-high 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

Scoring was spread out for the Sioux as six players scored at least six points in the game. Sophomore Chance Kitzman stepped up big with a 4-for-5 shooting day with nine points and six rebounds.

“It’s nice to have that quality, we have eight guys right now and nine when Kodie comes back after Christmas, and all nine that I’m pretty confident with,” said Sioux head coach Bob Beaudrie. “I’ve never been in that position, so that’s a good thing.”

Westhope-Newburg’s strong play continued as they avenged a loss from last week to Kenmare with a 66-50 win over the Honkers on Thursday.

Both teams were deadlocked early as the first quarter ended in a 17-17 tie. However, the Sioux defense held the Honkers to only one second-quarter basket and opened a 10-point lead by halftime.

The lead was extended in the third quarter and wound up being a 16-point win for the Sioux.

“The Kenmare game and the Velva game, we were kind of disappointed with our efforts there,” Beaudrie said. “Give Kenmare all the credit in the world, they really out played us in that game.”
“We kind of regrouped and put some things together,” Beaudrie said.

The Sioux sure have, as they have won four straight, including Thursday’s win over Kenmare.

“We have just checked out the other starters and practiced playing against them,” Miller said. “Our second defense does a really good job playing against us.”

Miller led the Sioux past the Honkers on Thursday as he finished with team-high’s in points (19) and rebounds (10).

Three other Sioux players were also in double figures in scoring. Braaten dropped in 17 points, while seniors Lane Berentson and Karlie Hanock each had 11.

Berentson, who came off the bench with his 11 points, is one of the keys for the Sioux according to Beaudrie.

“That’s something that we need, Chase Conway coming off the bench, Lane Berentson coming in,” Beaudrie said. “Lane is spark plug and Chase is starting to hit some shots now.”

“We need guys to come in and fill roles, whether it be playing 30 minutes a night or six minutes,” Beaudrie added.

The win against Kenmare was the first time the Sioux were leading handily at halftime, it was something that Beaudrie was concerned about.

“Second halves have been getting us out of trouble,” Beaudrie said. “We need to start starting, and they know that.”

Miller said there are only a couple things the Sioux need to do to improve and make a deep playoff run.

“We’re going to need confidence, and just practice hard,” Miller said.

The Sioux next play at 7 p.m. on Jan. 7 in Minot against Bishop Ryan.

Notes:

•  Through seven games Braaten is leading the Sioux with 17.7 points per game. He is also averaging 2.9 assists, 7.3 rebounds and 4.6 steals per game.
•  Miller is now averaging double digits in scoring with 10.3 points per game. He is also the Sioux’s leading rebounder with 8.4 rebounds per game. He also averages three steals per game.