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»Boys lose back to back close games
Posted Local at Feb 24, 2011
Bennett County dropped a pair of close and entertaining games last week, falling 55-51 to Kadoka on Tuesday, and 52-47 to Jones County Friday, both in Martin.
In the Kadoka matchup, the Warriors were looking for revenge of a narrow defeat of the Kougars earlier in the year at the Jones County Invitational tournament.
The first quarter was back and forth with five lead changes before the host Warriors took a 12-10 lead on a Grant Strain shot at the buzzer. Strain had missed with four seconds to play but followed his shot for the rebound and put it back up and in just in time.
The second quarter was a combination of good defense and poor shooting by both teams, but the Kougars put in nine points to just four for the Warriors for a low 19-16 halftime score.
Both teams picked up the scoring pace a little in the third, ending with Kadoka on top 37-31.
Kadoka took their largest lead of the game with six minutes to play when Conner Uhlir grabbed an offensive rebound and scored to make it 44-33.
Bennett County responded with a 9-4 run to make it 48-42, and looked to make it a for point game with senior Ryan Risse driving towards the basket and dishing to an open Eli Livermont for a score. Risse was called for a charging call as he passed the ball on a bang, bang play, and the basket was waved off. It was the turning point in the game as Risse fouled out and Bennett County fell behind 52-42 and would not recover, losing 55-51.
A frustrated coach Ken Soderlin managed to find some good in a loss, complimenting his players on playing hard all the way and not giving up.
“The Districts are just around the corner and we have the players to cause some problems in the tournament,” said Soderlin. “It’s a new season when District’s start.”
In the Junior Varsity game, Bennett County defeated Kadoka 45-28 behind the shooting of Will Schulz and his 11 points. Freshman Kray Krolikowski added 9, Wade Porch 6, Barry Toczek 6, Jon McDonnell 5, Layne Livermont 4, Kyler Rahyill 2, Kurt Puckett 2.
On Friday, Jones County traveled to Martin to face Bennett County in boys basketball and the host Coyotes went home with a 52-47 road win.
In results typical on the season for Bennett County, they were in the game from beginning to end, but a couple of cold spells here and there cost them the chance for the win.
Ryan Risse had a big first quarter, pouring in nine points, including the first five for the Warriors, but Jones County led 17-14 at the buzzer.
In the second quarter, four points by Risse and two bench points from Brent Pinkerton made it a 21-20 game, but turnovers and cold shooting resulted in a Jones County 8-2 run for a 29-22 score at the half.
Both teams put up just 10 points in the third quarter for a Jones County seven point lead at 39-32.
The Warriors trailed 49-40 late and staged a mini rally with a three pointer from Eli Livermont and a scored by Ryan Risse to make it 50-46, but Jones County made their free throws down the stretch to hang on for the 52-47 win.
Ryan Risse scored a game high 20 points in the loss. Grant Strain added 8, Eli Livermont 7, Dayre Evans 4, Kray Krolikowski 2, Brent Pinkerton 2, Kaipo Heath 2 and Colin Kuxhaus 2.
Bennett County shot a dismal 5 for 12 from the free throw line to add to their woes.
Jones County was led by Philip Mathews 16 points and Gus Volmer’s 13 points.
The JV lost 40-38 in an exciting game. Jon McDonnell tossed in 12 points for the Warriors. Enos Poor Bear chipped in 9, Kray Krolikowski 6, Layne Livermont 4, Will Schulz 4 and Barry Toczek 3 points.
Bennett County plays their final regular season game Friday at home against Little Wound. They will likely face Little Wound in the first round of District play Tuesday, March 1. Bennett County will also likely travel to Little Wound.