Nathan Beitler/MDN Minot High senior Maggie Fricke (No. 2) searched the court for an opening in her first time back on the court since last season in previous play action against the Williston Coyotes in the Majettes’ home game on Friday, Jan 2.

Both the Minot High boys and girls basketball teams traveled to Bismarck to take on the Century High School Patriots in a doubleheader on Friday, Jan. 16.

Majettes stay undefeated, win 69-61

The Majettes and Patriots entered Friday night as some of the best teams in the state, and the way they played proved why. Minot senior Eve Knutson kicked off Friday’s doubleheader with a two point shot, and the Majettes quickly took advantage of the early momentum. The Majettes went on an early game run, starting the game at a 24-5 advantage over the Patriots. Through the rest of the first half of the game, the Patriots went on a strong point run, fighting their way back up to a score of 42-37 in the last few seconds. The Patriots let their guard down briefly as the last few seconds ticked away in the first half, allowing Minot senior Ariana Rood to score a quick buzzer-beater, giving the Majettes a little bit of an extra boost heading into halftime.

Though the Majettes looked like they were going to be able to run away with the game in the first minutes, the Patriots were able to muscle their way back to a close game. By the time the first half of the game ended, the Century Patriots still did not have any players with double-digit points. Junior Lakyn Johnson was the top scorer for the Patriots in the first half with three made threes for nine total points. Senior Maggie Fricke led the Majettes in scoring in the first half with 14, followed close behind by junior Kinley Bartsch at 10.

The Patriots and the Majettes stayed in close quarters in the second half of Friday’s game, with the Century never too far behind Minot. The teams fought back and forth, with the Patriots cutting the deficit to within a single possession multiple times, but they were never able to take the lead back from the Majettes. The second half of the game ended with the Majettes leading 69-61, Century was led in scoring by freshman Kaylie Welstad at 14. She and junior Lakyn Johnson were the only two Patriots to end with double-digit points. Maggie Fricke far and away led the Majettes in scoring with 28 points. Fricke made seven of seven free throws and made eight three point shots. The Majettes secured their undefeated status in their victory Friday night, improving to a record of 11-0 on the season. The Majettes will be back at home in their next bout as they take on the also undefeated Mandan Braves on Tuesday, Jan. 20. The two teams are the only undefeated teams left in the state.

Magi fall 82-65 after close first half

The Magi took on Century High School’s undefeated boys basketball team in the second half of Minot’s doubleheader in Bismarck Friday night, and the Magicians put up a strong fight.

Minot High took the lead first in the first half of the game and was able to keep it from the Patriots. The two teams caught up and traded leads back and forth before the Patriots pulled away in the last few minutes of the first quarter. Century took the lead to seven points at 40-33 as the last few seconds ticked down. Minot sophomore Patrick Shanahan was quickly able to close the gap a bit more before the buzzer sounded with a quick two-points, ending the first half of the game with the Patriots leading at 40-35.

Of all the 35 points scored by the Magi in the first half, 24 of them came in the first nine minutes of the game. Senior Oakley Trueblood scored most of the early game points for the Magi with 10, but was quickly shut out by the Patriots defense. Junior Drew Jordan also scored 10 points for the Magicians in the first half on two completed threes and three completed two-pointers.

The early minutes of the second half were still a close back and forth between the teams, with Minot working their way back into the lead at 44-43. However, as the minutes of the second half dragged on, the Magi found the Patriots drifting further and further ahead. The Magi were unable to keep up with the Patriots in the final minutes of the game, giving Century High School their 10th consecutive win at 82-65.

Drew Jordan ended the night as Minot’s top scorer with a total of 18 points. Trueblood was just behind him at 15 points on the night. The Magi fell to a record of 6-4 on the season and 4-3 in conference play. The Magi will be back home to take on the Mandan Braves on Tuesday, Jan. 20.