Thunder win two, advanced to District 6 championship

M-P-B took care of business in the first two rounds at the District 6 Tournament in Hazelton, and made it to the top rung of the ladder to play for the tournament crown.

The third-seeded Thunder got their 16th and 17th victories of the season by scores of 61-22 in the first round over Strasburg-Zeeland, and exacted some revenge for a one-point loss earlier in the season by knocking off #2 seed Linton-HMB, 59-55.

The first round and semifinal rounds were played February 25 and 27, and the Thunder's championship appearance opposite South Border was held last Thursday, March 2, after the Independent went to press.

Round one featured another big game from 6'5" junior forward Rylen Wick, as he poured in 22 points and finished with four three-point shots. Senior point guard Josh Moser added 18, and inside, Adam McClellan did his part with nine points.

S-Z was led by seven points from Dominic Meier, and the Clippers also received a six-point outing by Devin Feist.

A gutty effort in the semifinals allowed the Thunder to get past a tough postseason out in the Lions, as they took a four-point win and advanced to play the Mustangs.

Statistics from that game were unavailable at press time.

Regarding the District 6 championship, if M-P-B (17-4 entering last Thursday) were to win, they would face District 5 fourth seed Carrington in the first game of the Region 3 quarterfinals today (March 6) at 3:00 p.m.

However, a loss to South Border would match the Thunder up with surprise third seed Ellendale for the third time this season, with that game slotted as the 7:30 nightcap.

Ellendale won both those contests in the scorebook, but were forced to forfeit the two games to M-P-B after the fact, when it was discovered that an ineligible player suited up for EHS.

(Editor's Note: The print edition originally stated the date of the District 6 championship as Wednesday, March 1, but the decision was made to push the qualifiers and championship back a day to Thursday, March 2, after the Independent had already gone to press.)

District 6 Boys' Basketball

Tournament, Hazelton

First Round

M-P-B 61,

Strasburg-Zeeland 22

S-Z 8 6 6 2 22

M-P-B 14 11 23 13 61

M-P-B: Rylen Wick 22, Josh Moser 18, Adam McClellan 9, Sawyer Wanzek 5, Chase Ova 3, Roper Foerderer 2, Mark Thomas 2. Totals: 23 FG, 8-10 FT, 7 fouls. Three-pointers: Wick 4, Moser, Wanzek, Ova.

S-Z: Dominic Meier 7, Devin Feist 6, Delson Droog 4, Brock Tougas 3, Sawyer Haak 2. Totals: 8 FG, 6-7 FT, 10 fouls. Three-pointers: None.