Sports

Stars tough out crucial district win over Sawyer

By Tyler Ohmann

02/19/2013

The Bottineau Stars closed out District 11 play last Tuesday with a 43-36 win over Sawyer in Bottineau.

The Stars fell behind early, but stingy defense led to a 21-18 lead for Bottineau at halftime.

“We tried to really move the ball, focus on our shots and play good defense,” said sophomore Stephanie Brenden.

Though the Flashes hung around, the Stars never lost the lead, or their composure in the second half.

“We took more time shooting the ball (in the second half),” Brenden said. “We didn’t rush, and they just started dropping for us.”

Brenden led the Stars with 12 points in the game, and also provided a strong ball handler, which was key in breaking the Sawyer press.

“It’s nice that I’m good for that, and it’s also nice that other girls can bring the ball up if I get stuck,” Brenden said.

Senior Katryna Hahn was also in double figures with 11 points, and junior Courtney Gallagher added eight points in the win.

Mara Roteliuk had 15 to lead the Flashes.

The win pushed the Stars to 5-12 overall on the season and more importantly 3-4 in district play, which pushed them into the fifth place in the district standings.

The Stars also played the night before at home against North Star in a make up game from earlier in the season.

Both teams played with high intensity in the first quarter and the Bearcats took a 20-15 lead following the quarter. After that the Stars fell behind as the Bearcats offense continued, and the Stars couldn’t keep up.

North Star led 63-32 after three quarters, but a strong 15-3 advantage in the final quarter made it a 19-point win for the Bearcats.

Senior Whitney Brandvold led the Stars with 16 points and nine rebounds in the game.

Brenden finished with 12 points in the game.
The Stars finish out their regular season with a game at Kenmare on Friday. They hosted Des Lacs-Burlington last night, but scores and stats weren’t available by press time.

“They’re going to be really good games,” Brenden said about the Stars’ final regular season contests. “We just have to keep focused, keep playing hard and it will get us ready for districts.”

The District 11 Tournament starts on March 1 in Dunseith.