Kari Gibb/MDN Ray’s Karter Hartsoch (24) drives by South Prairie-Max senior Layne Korgel (32) for a shot during first round action at the second annual Our Redeemer’s Boys Basketball Tournament on Monday, December 16, at Our Redeemer’s Christian School.

The second annul Our Redeemer’s Boys Basketball Tournament tipped off on Monday, December 16, at Our Redeemer’s Christian School. The tournament has eight teams contending for the title as well as starting the 2024-2025 season with as much hardcourt time as possible.

Day one had Ray, Tioga, South Prairie-Max and Bishop Ryan in the top half of the bracket. Central McLean, Surrey, Parshall and the hosts from Our Redeemer’s will play the bottom half of the bracket today as the teams work directly from the quarterfinal phase.

Ray 73, South Prairie-Max 65

The Jays had a much younger lineup than the Royals, but that did not seem to hinder Ray as they worked through opening game jitters to take a 17-16 lead over South Prairie-Max after the first quarter of play.

Ray had played Bainville from Montana at the season opening showcase in Watford City for a 90-36 win, so the Jays worked into their tempo early in the second quarter and began building a lead. By the middle of the second quarter the lead was 31-18 and by end of the first half, Ray led 42-32 at the break.

South Prairie-Max came out of the halftime with renewed energy and worked their game plan to narrow the gap. Halfway through the third quarter the Ray lead had been cut to 44-41 with just over five minutes to play in the quarter.

Both teams worked to make their game plan and the tempo work and the teams kept pace with each other to a 58-53 lead for the Jays going into the final quarter of play. Each time the Royals would narrow the gap, the Jays would find a basket or a steal that allowed for the game to be put out of reach for South Prairie-Max in the end.

Ray will play Bishop Ryan in the semifinals of the top half of the bracket on Friday, December 20, at 6 p.m. while South Prairie-Max will face Tioga at 3 p.m. the same day.

Bishop Ryan 74, Tioga 43

The Lions have a preseason second place ranking in Division B polls and flexed their polling position in their matchup with the Tioga Pirates in the second game of the ORCS boys basketball tournament.

Bishop Ryan posted a 25-6 lead after the first quarter of play ended. Tioga had only eight players at the tournament and the tempo of the game wore as time marched forward. By the half the Lions led 47-18 at the break.

With the win, the Lions will face the Jays on Friday, December 20, in the top half of the bracket semifinals. Tioga will take on South Prairie-Max in the consolation bracket in the 3 p.m. game at Our Redeemer’s.