The Patriots were hosted by the Magicians on Friday, January 17, and handed Minot High boys the second loss of the season- the second of the week- 75-72 in overtime.

The Magicians led 32-30 at the half on the road but ended the game tied 63-63 to send the game into overtime. The home team used the energy from the home fans to edge Minot High 12-9 in the extra session of play.

The Magicians had the edge in 2-point shooting 63.2 percent to 45.5 percent for Century. Minot High had the edge on points in the paint 48-40 and rebounding 35-29 over the Patriots but Century had the significant edge in 3-point shots taken and made. Minot High was 4-for-12 from beyond the arc while Century was 10-for-29 in the same category.

The Magicians also had 20 turnovers compared to nine for the hosts that led to 24 points off turnovers for the Patriots compared to ten for the Magicians.

Aric Winczewski led the scoring for Minot High with 26 points while Paytn Schell posted 19 points and 11 rebounds in the effort. Every player on the roster for the Magicians scored in the game.

Drew Kempel posted 27 points for the Patriots while Garrett Nissley hit for 20 with 5-for-12 shooting beyond the arc.

The game on Tuesday, January 14, that the Magicians lost to Dickinson 86-83 was very similar. Minot High led 48-34 at the half but lost to the Midgets on 9-for-22 3-point shooting compared to Dickinson with 13-for-36 and 14 turnovers for the Magicians compared to six for the Midgets.

With the win, Century moved into sole possession of the top spot in the Western Dakota Association (WDA) standings at 8-0, 11-0 overall. Mandan sits at second with a 6-1 WDA mark, 9-1 overall while Minot High is tied with Bismarck High at 5-2 in WDA play and 8-2 overall for both teams.

Minot High hosts Mandan on Tuesday, January 21, with a trip to Bismarck Legacy on Friday, January 24, this week.

Bismarck High 73, Minot North 42

Minot North dropped the home game to the Demons on Friday, January 17, despite winning on the road on Tuesday, January 14, to over Bismarck St. Mary’s for their first WDA victory.

The Sentinels played well enough in the first half of the game against the Demons to be within striking distance at the half. The visitors led 32-24 going into the break. The second half was a redoubled effort for the road win for Bismarck High.

The only category that the Sentinels led in the game was with free throws with the 5-for-11 effort compared to 2-for-5 for the Demons.

Braydon Bilkre led the North scoring with 15 points while Tamari Carter had seven rebounds in the effort. In the win over St. Mary’s, Carter had 14 points, Kaiden Helm added 13 points while Bilkre, Camden Aufforth and Carson Sessing each added ten points in that win.

With the 1-1 week, Minot North sits at 1-7 in WDA play, 3-8 overall. The Sentinels are ahead of Jamestown (0-7 WDA, 0-9 overall) and with Williston at 1-6 in WDA and 2-8 overall.

Minot North hosts both Jamestown, today and Williston, on Friday, in this week’s games.