Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
O'Connor propels Rockets to victory with seven 3-pointers
NR-S junior Kaiya O'Connor enjoyed the game of her high school career on Monday, Dec. 18 against the North Prairie Cougars in Rolette, N.D., finishing the night with a total of 24 points. She alone accounted for nearly half of her teams total points, and her performance sealed the win against another region opponent.
Ava Peterson plays defense against North Prairie senior Elizabeth Smith during the Region 2 matchup against the North Prairie Cougars on Monday, Dec. 18.
On Monday, Dec. 18, the New Rockford-Sheyenne girls' basketball team was set to take on the Region 2 competitors – the North Prairie Cougars – in Rolette.
The Cougars are a team that never gives up without a fight. And they fought until the very end.
The Cougars were the first on the scoreboard as North Prairie senior Hailey Peltier went 2-for-2 from the free throw line.
Ava Peterson was the first to score for the Rockets.
After a few turnovers by both teams, Jenna Rosinski of the Cougars swished a long two.
Both the Rockets and Cougars were struggling to make shots during the first quarter.
That was until NR-S junior, Kaiya O'Connor, was left wide open to shoot her first 3-pointer of the night.
O'Connor then stole a pass from Rosinski to Peltier and drove to the basket to score two. The Rockets were ahead 7-4.
But Elizabeth Smith was found un-guarded under the net and was able to sneak in a layup for the Cougars. A shot by Peltier brought the Cougars ahead 8-7.
But have no fear, O'Connor was left open again to shoot another 3-pointer for the Rockets.
A drive to the basket by Rosinski tied the game up at 10-10.
And O'Connor with another three!
NR-S senior Kelsie Belquist was sent to the line to shoot 1-of-2 free throws. This was the only point for Belquist all night.
The Cougars were only allowed to score two more points before the end of the first quarter. The Rockets led 14-12.
Peterson went to work in quarter two for the Rockets, scoring eight of the 16 points scored for the Rockets.
The other eight points came from O'Connor, who scored two more 3-pointers, and Trysta Thumb, who scored her only two points of the game.
In total, the Cougars were able to score 12 points before halftime – seven from Rosinski, four from Peltier and one from Karesse Heinz.
The Rockets held a 6-point lead going into the third quarter.
Katie Allmaras was the first to score in quarter three with a long two.
The Rockets and Cougars went back and forth with scoring points in the third, with the Cougars only trailing 32-36.
This was until O'Connor rattled off a long 3-pointer for the Rockets yet again.
Peterson added another two points for the Rockets before Smith hit a buzzer-beater 3-pointer to end quarter three.
The Cougars were still trailing 37-41.
The Rockets held the Cougars to nine points in quarter four, with six of those points coming from 3-point shots by Smith.
O'Connor secured her seventh 3-pointer of the night for the Rockets along with a free-throw.
Also scoring in quarter four for the Rockets was Peterson with five and Emmie Belquist with one.
The Rockets took down the North Prairie Cougars 51-46.
O'Connor led the Rockets in points with a total of 24. Following behind, also in double digits was Peterson with 19.
Top scorers for the Cougars were Rosinski and Smith, each with 15 and Peltier with 11.
The Rockets' junior varsity team came up short 31-53. The Rockets' junior high team, however, walked away with an overtime thriller 29-28.
The Rockets will get a little holiday break before their next game on Thursday, Dec. 28 at the Minot Auditorium starting at 1:30 p.m.
Region 2
Girls' Basketball
NR-S 51, North Prairie 46
Monday, Dec. 18
at Rolette
NR-S: 14 16 11 10 - 51
NP: 12 12 13 9 - 46
NR-S: Kaiya O'Connor 24, Ava Peterson 19, Katie Allmaras 4, Trysta Thumb 2, Emmie Belquist 1, Kelsie Belquist 1. Totals: 20 FG, 4-11 FT, 10 fouls. 3-pointers: O'Connor 7.
North Prairie: Elizabeth Smith 15, Jenna Rosinski 15, Hailey Peltier 11, Morgan Casavant 2, Khaliel Sloan 2, Karesse Heinz 1. Totals: 18 FG, 6-12 FT, 14 fouls. 3-pointers: Smith 3, Rosinski 1.
Junior Varsity
NR-S 31, North Prairie 53
NR-S: 6 5 11 9 - 31
NP: 16 2 20 15 - 53
NR-S: Jaida Schumacher 10, Emmie Belquist 8, Camebria Engels 7, Tillie Swart 2, Paige Knatterud 2, Karsyn Wetzel 1, Addysen Fandrich 1. Totals: 12 FG, 7-14 FT, 11 fouls.
North Prairie: Alaejha Grant 13, Kenzy Wuori 8, Ella Pederson 7, Payton Demers 4, Khaliel Sloan 4, Marie Parisien 4, Elise Greiner 3, Rory McDougall 2, Alex Kraft 2, Gracelyn Selburg 2, Kia Marsh 2, Peyton Morrow 2. Totals: 22 FG, 6-14 FT, 16 fouls. 3-pointers: Grant 2, Greiner 1.
