Rockets stun HWC, 51-50

Harvey-Wells County cut the Rocket lead from 10 down to a single point in the final six minutes, but could not get the basket to put them on top as they fell 51-50 to New Rockford-Sheyenne in Harvey on Thursday, December 28.

A quick four- point start for the Rockets was answered by six straight from HWC's Avery Williams for a Hornet 6-4 lead. Easton Simon scored five in the first quarter for the Rockets, but Tallen Thorson scored the final four points for a 12-10 HWC lead after one.

The Rockets dominated the second quarter, doubling up HWC, 24-12. Bennett Meier scored six for NR-S, but the main damage was done by Luke Yri, who came off the bench and scored 10 including a 60-footer at the halftime buzzer for the 34-24 lead. The Hornets were stone cold in the first half from behind the arc, taking many long range shots and not connecting on a single attempt.

Meier and Ashton Reimche started the second half for NR-S with field goals, and the lead grew to 14. Keaton Keller knocked down a bucket and Thorson added the first three of the game for HWC to cut the Rocket lead to eight. Easton Benz answered with a three and the deficit was back to 10 points after three quarters. Ethan Eckart cut the lead to seven with a three to start the fourth but the Rockets responded with a Kailar Jacobson reverse layup and a field goal from Simon to move the lead to 49-37. The HWC field goals started to fall midway through the quarter as Thorson connected on his second three which was followed up with a nice assist from Jaxon Feist to Keller for another two. Avery Williams added a three pointer and Thorson was perfect on three free throws after being fouled on a three point shot and the lead was down to 49-48. Benz added an easy deuce to move the lead to three but Williams added two more points and the lead was a single point again with 1:15 remaining. Both teams had their chances to add to the lead or take the lead in the final minute but the shots just wouldn't fall. Feist's three pointer at the buzzer was just inches short and the Rockets claimed the 51-50 win.

New Rockford-Sheyenne placed four players in double digits with Meier leading the way with 12. Simon, Benz and Yri all scored 10 in the win. Jacobson was the leading rebounder with 10 while Simon dished out five assists to lead his team. Williams scored 15 and Thorson added 13 for the Hornets in the loss. Keller pulled down a game high 11 boards and also tied as the team leader in assists with Thorson with four.

With the victory, NRS moves to 3-1 on the season while HWC drops to 3-4 overall.

Nondistrict Boys' Basketball

NR-S 51, HWC 50

at Harvey

NR-S 10 24 10 7 51

HWC 12 12 10 16 50

HWC: Avery Williams 15, Tallen Thorson 13, Teagan Tipton 6, Keaton Keller 4, Ethan Eckart 3, Jaxon Feist 2, Ryan McKinven 2, Kayl Sieg 2, Noah Ziegler 2, Tyler Swang 1.

NR-S: Bennett Meier 12, Easton Benz 10, Easton Simon 10, Luke Yri 10, Kailar Jacobson 4, Kage Walford 3, Ashton Reimche 2.

HWC Additional Stats

Rebounds: Keller 11, Thorson 8, Sieg 5, Feist 4, Williams and Ziegler 3, Swang 2, Ty Jenner 1.

Assists: Keller and Thorson 4, Feist 3, Ziegler 2.

Steals. Thorson 2, Keller, Sieg, Tipton, Williams and Ziegler 1.

Blocks: Feist, Keller, Thorson and Ziegler 1.

NR-S Additional Stats

Rebounds: Jacobson 10, Meier 7, Simon 6, Benz 5, Reimche 3, Walford 2.

Assists: Simon 5, Jacobson 3, Walford and Yri 2, Thomas Allmaras and Benz 1.

Steals. Jacobson 2, Benz, Meier, Walford and Yri 1.

Blocks: Reimche 1.