BISMARCK — The Minot High Majettes traveled to Bismarck to play in the Division AA West Region Girls Basketball tournament on Thursday, March 6. The Majettes played the first round against the Jamestown Blue Jays.

Minot High, the one seed for the tournament, played a very strong and intense game of basketball. The Majettes led 38-14 at half time and won over Jamestown 74-39 to move into the semifinal game.

Minot High took on the four seed, the Bismarck Century Patriots in the semifinals. The Majettes played the Patriots twice during regular season play and won both games. Minot High received a different outcome their third time meeting this season. After a long battle against Bismarck Century, Minot High lost their semifinal game 57-54.

Minot High went into the game with confidence but Bismarck Century went into the game as the underdog with something to prove and nothing to lose. The Patriots and the Magi played hard during every possession.

Bismarck Century took the lead in the first half of the game 27-23 over Minot High. The Majettes outscored their opponents 31-30 in the second half but couldn’t quite close the gap. The Patriots held strong and pulled off a 57-54 win, the closest game of the tournament so far.

The game was a battle every step of the way with eight lead changes and the score tying up six separate times. Even though Minot High lost the game they did hold a 44-36 lead in the second half, the largest lead in the game.

The Patriots Zoie Austin led the score for the game with over 30 points. Seven points coming from free throws the remaining 24 points all from inside the arc. Austin out scored every other athlete in the game. Austin took three defensive rebounds and made two steals in the game.

Olivia Klimpel and Abby Fosland came in second and third for scoring for the Patriots. Klimpel brought in eight points all down in the paint. Fosland made two points close to the basket and made three points on the arc and earned two extra points at the foul line.

LeeLee Bell led the score for the Majettes with 22 points, double the next closest scoring on her team. Bell played to her strengths and made most of her points in the lane, with two points at the free throw line. Bell also brought in the most rebounds on her team with nine defensive rebounds and one offensive rebound.

Kinley Bartsch brought in the second most points for Minot High. Bartsch played out wide and made nine points on the arc and two points at the free throw line. Sydney Aberle followed closely behind with eight points.

The Majettes will still get the chance to make it to the state tournament. Minot High will take on Bismarck St. Mary’s in the state qualifier round today at 12:45 p.m. in Bismarck.