Kari Gibb/MDN Bishop Ryan senior Ramsey Walz (42) slams home a dunk in the third quarter of play as Our Redeemer’s sophomore Nolan Schmidt (14) watches during the championship game of the 2nd Annual Our Redeemer’s Christian School Boys Basketball Invitational on Saturday, December 21, at the Our Redeemer’s gym.

The final game came down to two familiar foes in the end. The hosts, Our Redeemer’s Christian School, faced Bishop Ryan for the title and bragging rights for the rest of the 2024-2025 regular season. Both teams are ranked in the latest coaches poll for Division A boys basketball.

Both teams have size, speed and athleticism at all positions. Both teams won the quarterfinal and semifinal match during the week to get to the final.

Bishop Ryan edged Our Redeemer’s in the end 64-58 for the championship title in the 2nd annual invitational.

The Lions opened with energy and built a 7-4 lead. The Knights battled and chipped away with Bishop Ryan leading 15-12 at the end of the first quarter of play.

The same level of play continued into the second quarter with the Lions holding onto a 29-23 lead with just under three minutes to play in the half. The two teams went into the break with Bishop Ryan holding onto the 34-29 five point lead.

To start the third quarter of play, stellar shooting and pesky defense widened the gap to 44-31 after only two minutes of play. The Lions maintained that relative lead with a 48-38 margin with just over two minutes to play in the third quarter of play.

The Knights were unable to overtake the momentum enough to close the gap in the end.

Ray 67, Central McLean 60

In a game tied 35-35 at the half, the Ray Jays were able to edge the Cougars with a solid inside game in the end. Ray was able to take third place over a tough Central McLean team.

Ray had more high percentage shooting under the basket that would draw the defense in for double teams. That left outside shots with more space as the Central McLean teams athleticism was unable to keep pace down the stretch.

Surrey 64, South Prairie-Max 54

In a battle between familiar foes, the Mustangs outlasted the Royals for a fifth place finish at the ORCS invitational.

Tioga 72, Parshall/North Shore-Plaza 40

In a battle between familiar foes again, the Pirates cruised to a win over Parshall/North Shore-Plaza as Tioga had more shots fall than the Braves for seventh place at the ORCS invitational.