Kari Gibb/MDN Minot North senior Cadey Shipman (25) goes up for a shot against Jamestown senior Leah Trumbauer (21) in WDA action on Thursday, February 20, at the Sentinels home court. Shipman joined Ashlee Williamson as the first two seniors in school history to celebrate Senior Night at Minot North.

The Minot North girls basketball team had some reasons to celebrate on Thursday, February 20, at their home gym.

First, it was the historic Senior Night with Cadey Shipman and Ashlee Williamson being the historic pair getting set to graduate in Sentinel school history for the team.

Second, Shipman had been rehabbing an injury and Senior Night was her return to uniform to play in the game.

Finally, the team overcame a ten point deficit at the half to defend the home hardwood with a 66-59 win over the visitors from Jamestown.

Defensive rebounding by the Lady Sentinels led to a very early 7-5 lead for the home team. Momentum shifted and Lady Blue Jays began to sink baskets despite Minot North still having the edge in boards. With 12:02 left to play in the first half, Jamestown had taken a 14-9 lead that became a ten point margin as the Blue Jays started the second half 35-25 over the hosts.

Minot North regrouped at the half, kept after the rebounds and began to work the halfcourt defense with intensity. At the 13:36 mark of the second half, Jamestown led 35-30 and at 13:34 the lead was 35-34 for the visitors.

The Sentinels tied the game at 37-37 with 13:01 left and never trailed again. With 11:14 to play in the game, the hosts led 44-39 and with 9:11 to play the lead remained at five points at 49-44 for the Sentinels.

As the Blue Jays got into foul trouble with the clock winding down, the gap widened for Minot North. The lead was 51-44 at the 7:47 mark as the Lady Sentinels hit free throws and kept the stifling defense working against Jamestown.

With the win, Minot North moved to 4-12 in Western Dakota Association (WDA) play and 6-14 overall. Jamestown dropped to 4-14 in WDA play and 6-13 overall with both teams in the eight slot in WDA standings with Dickiinson behind them both.

The Lady Sentinels hit the road today to play Bismarck High and will travel to Williston on Tuesday, February 25, to close out the regular season of the historic first year of varsity games.