The DLJ welcomes full-time sports reporter, Joe “Mojo” Hill
It’s only been one day, but the Ramsey County Boys’ Basketball Tournament has already seen some dramatics.
It quite literally came down to the final seconds on Thursday, as the Warwick Warriors — down by one — attempted two layups that each turned out unsuccessful by a matter of mere inches. The Warwick sideline, which had grown uproarious with excitement over the previous several minutes, fell to a hush as the clock ran down to zero.
It was the Benson County Wildcats who emerged victorious. They advanced to the tournament semifinals, taking down Warwick 47-46 at the Devils Lake Sports Center.
It was a game highlighted by momentum shifts. Both teams started off slow offensively, but Warwick found a rhythm late in the first quarter. Elijah Feather Jr. played hero early on, scoring eight of his team’s first 14 points. The Warriors led 14-12 after the first quarter and 22-20 at the half. Despite Warwick controlling most of the game, with Benson County more reliant on threes, the Wildcats were still very much in it.
The opening minutes of the second half were all about Benson County. Paxton Neppl rattled off back-to-back threes, and Holdyn Jacobson swished a three of his own to run his point total up to 11 — tied for the team lead with Neppl.
But just when it looked like Benson County might run away with the victory, Warwick hung in there. Feather Jr., who’d gone quiet during the second quarter, got back in the points column with three field goals and a free throw. On the final play of the third quarter, Evan Black shot a three from deep — eliciting the loudest cheer yet from the Warwick sideline. The shot brought the Warriors to within one, down 38-37 with a quarter to play.
Benson County, looking to solidify its lead, came right out in the fourth quarter with back-to-back baskets.
But Feather Jr. wasn’t ready for this game to be over.
The junior guard scored three of his team’s final four baskets, including a three-pointer that tied the score at 42 apiece. The crowd erupted with glee every time the ball was passed to him, seeming to know he was their best chance at getting Warwick a win. With sweat gushing down his cheeks and the majority of a basketball game already behind him, there was nothing to lose at this point — he was going to put his maximum effort into the final seconds of this barnburner, regardless of the final result.
With all the attention on Feather Jr., Benson County senior Macyn Olson found a way to sneak his name into the spotlight. He’d scored just three points all game — a three-pointer back in the first quarter. He shot two simple field goals: one that got the Wildcats within one, and another that proved to be the decisive blow.
The Warriors couldn’t get one to land in the basket on their final possession. Instead, it was a Benson County victory — a fact that, by itself, doesn’t tell the whole story of a contest that could have gone to either squad. Fans from both sides took a moment to collect their breath and release the tension that had been building over the previous several minutes.
Despite a gritty effort, Warwick falls to 1-5 on the season. Benson County, meanwhile, improves to 2-4 and advances to the next round of the tournament. The Wildcats will play at 6 p.m. on Friday against North Star, who won their first-round matchup against Park River/Fordville/Lankin 55-38. Warwick moves to the losers’ bracket and will play PR/F/L at 3 p.m. on Friday. All games in the Ramsey County Boys’ Basketball Tournament will be played at the Devils Lake Sports Center at Devils Lake High School.
