Wolves get it done in second half
By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor
Watford City’s varsity girls basketball notched two more wins this past week as the Wolves posted victories over Beach and Hazen.
The Wolves, who are now 9-1 on the season, will next travel to Trenton on Jan. 22.
Watford City 65, Beach 41
After playing Beach to a 26-26 halftime deadlock, Watford City’s offense exploded for 39 points in the second half to roll to a 65-41 win over the Bucs.
In a game of contrasting halves, the Wolves and the Bucs traded baskets for much of the first half. But the second half of play saw Watford City take control of the offensive action.
Watford City led Beach by a single point, 17-16, at the end of the first stanza, while the Bucs tied the game at halftime.
The second half saw a complete shift, however, as the Wolves’ offense took charge of the game. Watford City outscored the Bucs, 20-7, in the third quarter, and then rolled on to an easy win outscoring Beach, 19-8, in the final eight minutes of play.
Katie Mogen pounded the basket for a game high 19 points to lead the Wolves in scoring, while Mackenzie Sparby and Ricki Lindley joined her in double-digit scoring with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Rounding out the scoring for Watford City was April Spruell and Kara Langerud with eight points each, Lea Arndt with three points, while Krystal Wold, Alli Mogen and Alyssa Prichard netted two points each.
For the game, the Wolves shot 50 percent at the free-throw line, hitting on six of 12 attempts.
Watford City 17 26 46 65
Beach 16 26 33 41
Watford City 52, Hazen 48
The Hazen Bison gave Watford City a big scare on Saturday night as the Bison pushed the Wolves to the limit. But after three quarters of close play, the Wolves squeaked out a 52-48 win.
Hazen led the Wolves by one point, 16-15, at the end of the first quarter, with that one-point margin, 26-25, holding at the end of the first half of play.
Both teams continued to trade baskets in the third quarter with the Wolves deadlocking the game, 37-37, going into the final eight minutes of play.
The Wolves would rally in the fourth quarter to outscore Hazen, 16-11, to take the win.
Mackenzie Sparby had a huge night for the Wolves as she netted a game high 35 points to lead both teams in scoring, while Katie Mogen joined her in double figures with 10 points.
Rounding out the scoring for Watford City was Ricki Lindley with four points, while Kara Langerud and Lea Arndt scored two points each.
For the game, the Wolves hit on seven of eight attempts at the charity stripe.
Watford City 15 25 37 53
Hazen 16 26 37 48