The Devils Lake and Four Winds/Minnewaukan boys’ basketball teams kept their winning ways going on Monday as they climbed in the statewide polls.
Highlights
The Devils Lake boys’ basketball team, ranked No. 3 in Monday’s polls, extended its winning streak to five on Monday. The Firebirds beat the Thompson Tommies on the road, 72-50.
Joel Nelson and Parker Brodina tied for the lead in scoring with 16 each. The team’s usual leading scorer, Wylee Delorme, was held relatively in check with 10. It was a breakout game for the 6-foot-6 junior Nelson, who by his own admission had been struggling.
“It just makes me feel better,” Nelson said on the live stream, “because I was playing bad in some games; just fouling like three times in the first quarter. So it feels good to not foul and just play my game.”
Nelson scored 14 of his 16 points in the second quarter. He made five field goals and a pair of three-pointers. He credited an increase in confidence shooting.
The Firebirds trailed 12-10 at the end of the first quarter, but Nelson’s prowess helped outscore the Tommies 28-14 in the second quarter. Devils Lake cruised to the finish line the rest of the way.
“When we work as a team, we play really good ball,” Nelson said. “I think we can go really far if we play our Devils Lake ball.”
The Firebirds now stand alone in first place in Division A, Region 2, at 8-1 overall and 3-1 in conference. Thompson falls to 3-6 (2-2).
Also on Monday, Four Winds/Minnewaukan boys’ basketball beat Dunseith 80-41. It was the Indians’ second straight game of scoring at least 80 points while only allowing 41. The Indians are 8-2 (2-1), with both their losses coming in the first two games of the season. They ranked No. 2 in Monday’s polls.
Other scores
Girls’ basketball
No. 1 Thompson 68, Badger-Greenbush-Middle River 26
- Thompson is now a perfect 12-0 on the season.
Midway/Minto 47, Cavalier 28
Park River/Fordville-Lankin 53, Hillsboro/Central Valley 48
North Border 44, Drayton/Valley-Edinburg 37
Boys’ basketball
Griggs-Midkota 47, Kidder County 38
What to watch
The No. 4 Devils Lake girls’ basketball team will look to continue its three-game winning streak against Grafton on the road Tuesday. Devils Lake is in second place at 8-3 (2-1), while Grafton is in fourth at 4-5 (1-2). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.
After getting its first district matchup postponed, No. 2 North Star boys’ basketball is set to face Park River/Fordville-Lankin at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Park River High School. The Bearcats are a perfect 8-0 on the season.
Devils Lake boys’ hockey also plays on the road Tuesday, coming off a 5-2 win over Grafton/Park River. The Firebirds (6-7-1) will take on West Fargo (9-5) at 7:30 p.m.
Benson County girls’ basketball plays Larimore at Leeds High School at 6 p.m. The New Rockford-Sheyenne girls are also scheduled for a matchup with Harvey/Wells County at New Rockford High School with a 7:30 p.m. start time.
Joseph “Mojo” Hill is a reporter covering Lake Region sports for the Devils Lake Journal. Contact him on Twitter @mojohill22 or at jhill@devilslakejournal.com for any tips, questions or story ideas.
