Austin Smith keeps level head after 53 point performance

February 6, 2017

In this day and age of athletics, humility is a characteristic that is easily lost among some athletes. But for Williston Trinity Christian School senior Austin Smith, it's all about keeping a level head. Smith scored a career-high of 53 points in a 75-62 win over Burke County on Jan. 20. The 53 points is among the most scored by a player this season, and it also broke the previous school record of 45 points by Jarek Hanson in 2008. "If he scores 53 points, you can give him a high-five and he's fine with it," WTCS coach Jacob Braaten said. "And he could miss 53 shots and ...

EISEN: Magi basketball too reliant on the three-ball?

January 27, 2017

While having the privilege to sit press row – or, better put, the fold up table stationed behind the scorer’s table and in front of the opposing supporters – at Minot High School boys basketball home games, I hear things. By now I’m immune to the heckles of the crowd disputing ...

No need for excessive lopsided scores

January 12, 2017

People who know me will tell you I have a passion for high school athletics. I live for it. And in a way, I feel like covering high school athletics is my calling in life. When I see something in high school athletics, I view as a wrong, however, it kind of gets my blood boiling. Last weekend, I notice the New Town girls basketball team defeated a JV team from Williston Trinity Christian School by a score of 103-13. No joke, that was the final score. Last summer, the North Dakota High School Activities Association implemented a running clock for all of Class B basketball. The ...

JONES: Race for boys Region 6 title is up for grabs

December 12, 2016

At the beginning of the boys basketball season last year, you kind of had a feeling Our Redeemer’s Christian School was going to have a special season. And the Knights did. Finishing second at state is nothing to hang your head over. And two years ago, the Rugby Panthers won the state tournament. So as recent history shows, the winner of the Region 6 tournament has gone on it to do quite well at state. So as the Class B season officially gets underway this week, the question has to be asked, who will win the Region 6 title? The question is a difficult one to ...

Region 6 girls basketball figures to be dogfight

December 5, 2016

Bishop Ryan has been the talk of Class B girls basketball in recent years. And with good reason. The Lions have won three of the last four state titles. An upset at the hands of Velva last season in the semifinals of the Region 6 tournament prevented Ryan from making a run at a fourth state title. And while the Lions are a year removed from a dynasty that saw them string together 82 consecutive Class B victories, Ryan is hoping the 2016-17 season is just as magical. The Lions have 12 players back from a season ago, including six seniors. That will give the Lions an edge in ...

A salute to the Knights

November 22, 2016

There are so many words that can be said to describe the Our Redeemer’s Christian School volleyball season. For starters, congratulations are in order. While the Knights fell short of the goal they had been eyeing for a few years now – a state championship, there is nothing to be ashamed of in what was accomplished the past few seasons. Not many teams will be able to say they went 82-7 over the last two seasons like the ORCS team did, including a 42-3 mark this season. There are also few teams that can say they have won three straight district and region titles. Another word to ...