Kari Gibb/MDN Our Redeemer’s sophomore Wyatt Weekly (13) works against Westhope-Newburg senior Treyton Lesmann (5) in District 6 action on Friday at Our Redeemer’s Christian School.

The No. 4 ranked team in Division B boys basketball traveled to play the No. 9 ranked team in Division B in a District 6 showdown that the announcer referred to as ‘District State’ when the game started.

The higher ranked Sioux from Westhope-Newburg had to play the full game with the focus on their game plan, but eventually lost to the hosts at Our Redeemer’s Christian School on Friday, January 10, as the Knights took the 58-44 win.

The game started with high energy and momentum for the Knights as they worked the defensive end of the court for steals and rebounds. By the end of the first quarter of play, Our Redeemer’s had a solid 10-4 lead.

Both teams began to flesh out their game plan and part of each team’s plan was to play aggressively on the defensive end of things. The higher ranked Sioux battled back with a 7-5 point run. The Knights led 15-11 with 5:17 to play in the second quarter.

Despite the chippy play, the referees kept the whistles in the pockets for the rest of the half and Westhope-Newburg came within one as Our Redeemer’s led 22-21 at the break for the half.

Our Redeemer’s settled into a shooting groove and outscored Westhope-Newburg 36-23 in the second half of play for the home win. Home court advantage was a factor. In a neutral site, or up north on their own hardwood, the Sioux would have had the same momentum as the Knights did on their court.

The win moved the Knights to 6-1 with their only loss in December to the No. 2 ranked team in Division B, the Bishop Ryan Lions.

Our Redeemer’s host Kenmare/Bowbells today at 4 p.m. and Harvey-Wells County on Tuesday, January 14, for their next pair of games.

Westhope-Newburg drops to 5-2 with their other loss at Wilton-Wing in mid December. The Sioux host Velva on Tuesday, January 14, in another District 6 contest between ranked teams.

#2B Bishop Ryan 64, Harvey-Wells County 26

The Bishop Ryan Lions boys basketball team went into their home contest ranked No. 2 in the Division B polls. Hosting the Hornets from Harvey-Wells County did little to slow their momentum with the win.

With the home victory, Bishop Ryan moves to 7-0 on the season. The Lions will travel to Drake High School to take on the Drake-Anamoose team on Monday, January 13, and host Des Lacs-Burlington on Tuesday, January 14, in the Lions’ Den.

#7B Velva 66, RVB Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood 65

The Aggies faced the visiting Mavericks in a District 6 showdown. Velva went into the game ranked No. 7 in Division B while Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood had received votes in the latest poll.

The game went down to the wire with the home team holding on for the one point victory.

With the win, the Aggies move to 7-0 and travel to Westhope to face the Sioux on Tuesday, January 14, followed by a trip to play Bishop Ryan on Friday, January 17, in a week of ranked opponents on the road.

The Mavericks drop to 4-1 for the season and they host Glenburn on Tuesday, January 14, followed by Harvey-Wells County on Thursday, January 16.