The Official Newspaper for Foster County
The Official Newspaper for Foster County
The Harvey-Wells County girls basketball team saw extensive action this week, having three games at three different locations.
The Hornets lost to the Lady Indians of Four Winds-Minnewaukan in a closely-contested matchup in Fessenden, but picked up back-to-back wins over Velva in Harvey and Nelson County in McVille.
As HWC continues to improve their ball handling and eliminating their unforced errors, we are seeing a team that is playing with passion and intensity. The Hornets look to continue their improved play and add more victories in the home stretch of the season.
FW-M 48, HWC 35
The FW-M Lady Indians hit 10 three-pointers and forced the Hornets into 30 turnovers, defeating HWC, 48-35, in Fessenden on Thursday, January 19.
The first quarter was a tightly played game as far as score, with Suri Gourd and Hannah Fassett scoring the final five points of the first to give the Lady Indians a 12-8 lead after one.
Fassett, Suri Gourd and Ava Gourd scored early in the second as FW-M took a commanding 20-10 lead. The Lady Indians forced the Hornets into 18 first-half turnovers, and held HWC to just four second quarter points as they led, 22-12, at the half.
Emma Dockter scored nine in the third quarter, but Suri Gourd and Fassett each connected on two three-pointers each, helping FW-M maintain a 10-point lead going into the final eight minutes.
Natalia Littleghost's three-pointer helped FW-M to open the fourth on a 7-0 run to move the lead to 43-26. HWC answered with their own seven-point run with two each from Aubree Wolfe and Braylee Keller and a three from Rachel Neumiller to move the lead back to 10 points, but HWC would run out of time as the Lady Indians claimed the 13- point victory at 48-35.
Fassett led all players in the game with 16, and was joined in double digits by seventh grader Suri Gourd with 14. The Hornets were paced by Wolfe and Dockter with nine points each.
The win moved FWM to 5-7 on the season and 3-1 in regional action, while HWC dropped to 3-9 overall and 1-3 in regional play.
HWC 56, Velva 49
HWC outscored the Velva Aggies, 29-20, in the second half and 15-7 down the stretch to win the non-region girls basketball game in Harvey on Saturday, January 21. The game was a makeup game from December.
Velva stormed out after the opening whistle, taking a quick 7-0 lead highlighted by a three from Kaylee Tomlinson. Back-to-back three pointers from Neumiller pulled HWC to within one, and the Hornets eventually took a three-point lead at 14-11 on field goals from Breanna Heilman and Neumiller. Natalie Nechiporenko made a two-and-one and Taryn Braaten made one of two from the line to give Velva the 15-14 edge after eight minutes.
The Aggies once again started the second quarter strong, as they used a 9-2 run courtesy of six points from Olivia Miller and Tomlinson's second three to lead 29-19. Emma Dockter's steal and layup started a 8-0 run to end the half, as Neumiller converted on a two-and-one and Dockter added a three as the Hornets pulled to within 29-27 at the half.
The third quarter belonged to Dockter. The senior started the third with two free throws and followed that up with her second three of the game, helping the Hornets take a 32-29 lead. Anya Olson scored four straight for the Aggies to give Velva the lead back at 35-32. Dockter made one of two from the charity stripe before cashing in on back-to-back three pointers to give HWC a 39-35 lead after three.
The Hornets started the final quarter with a Neumiller bucket, but Velva answered with seven straight to take a 42-41 lead with 3:59 to play. Two free throws from Neumiller were followed up by a field goal from Braylee Keller, giving HWC a 45-42 lead. Lyla McCasson's three tied the game at 45, but the Hornets, behind Neumiller's 12 fourth quarter points, would outscore Velva 11-4 to seal the 56-49 win.
Neumiller would lead all players on the night with 25 points, including 10 in the first quarter and 6-for-6 from the free throw line.
Dockter ended the game with 21 points, including four three-pointers. Velva was led by Miller's 13 points. Nechiporenko and Olson were also in double digits with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
With the win, HWC improves to 4-9 on the season while the Aggies drop to 1-13 overall.
HWC 49, Nelson Co. 39
The Hornets exploded for 34 first half points, and in the process won consecutive games for the first time this season as they held off the Nelson County Chargers, 49-39, in McVille Monday, January 23.
Dockter had the hot hand in the first half, as the senior had arguably her best half of the season. Dockter hit two threes right out of the gate as HWC led, 8-1. Nevaeh Huso added a three and a field goal, and Krista Lippert added four more points to give Nelson County a 11-10 lead. Dockter added a two-and- one, and Neumiller knocked down a trey to help HWC to an 18-13 lead after eight minutes.
The Hornets dominated the second quarter on both ends of the floor, allowing only six points. Dockter started the quarter with four quick points, but added the last seven of the half, scoring 11 in the second quarter and 20 in the first half and helping HWC to a comfortable 34-19 advantage at halftime.
The Chargers would get the Hornet offense figured out in the second half, but never really got their own offense rolling. Sydnee Johnson scored six for Nelson County in the third, cutting the lead down to 10, but Neumiller scored six for HWC and helped them maintain a 42-30 lead after three.
HWC hit three of six free throws to start the fourth and led by 15. Four Charger players found the scorebook in the fourth and cut the lead to 47-39 but with only 1:39 remaining, but the Hornets remained calm and sealed the 49-39 win.
Dockter led all players on the night with 22 points while Neumiller tallied 14. The Chargers were led by Johnson's 10 points.
The win moved HWC to 5-9 overall and 2-3 in regional play while Nelson County dropped to 4-8 and 1-4 in regional action.
