Alex Eisen/MDN Our Redeemer's senior Hailey Roberts (center) drives to the basket between two Rolette/Wolford defenders Thursday evening in Minot.

Making her Our Redeemer’s debut, senior guard Hailey Roberts slashed her way to a game-high 30 points in a 61-47 home victory in the Knights’ season opener Thursday against Rolette/Wolford.

Roberts, who came over from Nedrose High School, scored 23 of the Knights’ 35 points in the first half.

“It’s been really good,” Roberts said about joining the Knights. “They are a hard-working team, talk a lot and do everything they are supposed to do in the game of basketball.”

Scoring was a struggle for both sides early on.

“I thought we had some nerves at the beginning because we are pretty young,” ORCS head coach Scott Peterson said. “I felt like we played through that. First half was nerves. Second half, we played better as a team.”

Roberts got the ORCS (1-0) offense going by driving to the basket. More often than not, she finished at the rim or got fouled and went to the free-throw line. Roberts went 9-for-13 at the charity stripe.

“Everybody’s job is to score,” Roberts said. “If somebody is open, they are going to get the shot. If somebody is hot, then they’re going to get the shot. It’s not all about me. It’s about my team too.”

ORCS eighth-grader Maya Vibeto also provided a highlight moment in the first quarter with a one-handed bounce pass assist to Téa Boeckel.

The limitless range of senior guard Keiara Grant allowed Rolette/Wolford (0-2) to stay within striking distance throughout the contest.

Grant made all five of the Comets 3-pointers, including three in the second quarter. She finished with a team-high 20 points. Eva Tastad (13 points) also finished in double figures for Rolette/Wolford.

The Knights used a full-court press after scoring to fluster the Comets continuously.

“We need some work on that,” Peterson said. “But it will get better. I thought we had a lot of energy with it. But we need to work on some things.”

Finding any rhythm in the second half was a lost cause. Fouls piled up on sides with 14 infractions being called in the third quarter alone.

“There was a little bit too many,” Roberts said with a laugh.

Five different Knights scored in the second half, led by Vibeto and Roberts with seven points each. Vibeto reached 13 points for the game with a pair of 3-pointers.

Boeckel chipped in 8 points to go with a handful of steals.

“(Roberts) looks for everybody, so you can’t just concentrate on her,” Peterson said. “That’s awesome when you have a senior leader like that. Téa Boeckel is the same way.”

Going into the fourth quarter, ORCS led by 10 points, 47-37. The Knights outscored the Comets 14-10 in the final frame for a 61-47 victory.

“I expected this type of a game to start with,” Peterson said. “Last year against Rolette, it was a five-point game. This year, we opened it up a little bit. Pretty much the same players. So, compared from last year to this year for the first game, I think we are ahead of schedule.”

ORCS will play in the Nedrose Tournament next on Tuesday (Dec. 10) against Lewis & Clark-North Shore. Tipoff at 6 p.m. in Nedrose.

Alex Eisen covers Minot State athletics, the Minot Minotauros and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @AEisen13.