Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Gunner Swanson (22) of Bismarck High jumps up to block a shot from Evan Ulrich (25) of New Rockford-Sheyenne during the 45th annual Lions All-Star Games on Tuesday at West Fargo High School.
The North Dakota Lions All-Star Basketball Series, pitting the best graduated senior players from Classes A and B against one another, returned to the floor in 2021, after a year away due to COVID-19.
NR-S' Evan Ulrich and Carrington's Hannah Hagel, both committed to play for their respective basketball programs at the University of Jamestown, participated in the series.
In the first games, held at Bismarck's Legacy High School on Monday night, July 12, Hagel and Ulrich each scored four points. Class A took both games, 81-68 (boys) and 75-54 (girls).
The boys' contest featured dominance from the large schools in the first half, taking a commanding 51-19 lead, before Class B made it respectable late, and cutting it to 13 points with four minutes remaining. The Class B players, however, could get no closer.
West Fargo Sheyenne's Jacksen Moni paced Class A with 18 points, followed by 10 each from Brooks Carroll (Jamestown), and Owen Hektner (Fargo Davies). Alex Huber of Class B state runners-up Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier led all players with 27 points.
In the girls' game, Class A's overwhelming depth won over, scoring three-quarters of the century mark, despite having no players with more than 10 points.
Much of Class B's output came from Region Two. Grafton's Carlee Sieben led with 11 points, followed by Liz Schanilec (Midway-Minto) with eight, and her Spoiler teammate Julia Dusek, and Thompson's Mackenzie Hughes, scoring six each.
Three-way leadership of Class A's scoring with 10 went to Ryleigh Wacha and Taylor Fey of Davies, along with Watford City's Ashley Holen.
Action shifted to West Fargo High School Tuesday night, July 13, and once again, the Class A All-Stars took the sweep with Hagel scoring three points for Class B in a 66-50 loss. The B squad was led by Hughes' 12 points, followed by Sieben with 11. The Class A stars got 11 points apiece from Shanley's Mo Hakim and Devils Lake's Jailyn Martinson.
The boys' game was a bit closer throughout, than it was in Monday's game, but Class A pulled out a 98-89 victory. Gunner Swanson of Bismarck led the A stars with 19 points, and Moni was close behind with 18. Ulrich did not score in the contest.
Five players were in double figures for Class B, led by Northern Cass' Jase Crockett with 21. Also with big games were Aidan Rebel (New England) with 16, Warren Walker (Rugby) 14, Huber 13, and Stevan Garza (Grafton) 10.
Following the series, Class A leads the boys' all-time race, 59-25.
The girls' record is a bit closer, 44-30, in Class A's favor.
Evan's parents are Chad and Kali Clelland of New Rockford, while Hannah is the daughter of Paul and Julie Hagel of Carrington.
