KHRT Sports – 03/23/24

KHRT SPORTS – SATURDAY – 03/23/24
 

MINOT, ND – A week of basketball awards was highlighted by the revealing of North Dakota Miss and Mr Basketball on Friday. The award goes to the top senior players in the state and is voted on by the members of the North Dakota AP Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. Jocelyn Schiller of Grand Forks Red River won Miss Basketball while Deng Deng of Four Winds-Minnewaukan won Mr. Basketball.
 
Jocelyn Schiller, 5’7 guard, Grand Forks Red River – 26.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 6.2 apg, 5.5 spg, 44.1% FG, 76.2% FT
 
Deng Deng, 6’4 forward, Four Winds-Minnewaukan – 27.2 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.3 apg, 3.0 spg, 2.0 bpg, 56% FG, 26% 3FG, 68% FT
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MINOT STATE SOFTBALL
 
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa (MSU) – A month away from the diamond only ignited a fire in the Minot State softball team. In their first at-bats since February 24, the Beavers (7-7 overall, 2-0 NSIC) erupted for five runs en route to a 6-2 win over host Sioux Falls in a neutral-site NSIC doubleheader. The Beavers then finished the sweep as Gabi Dawyduk threw a one-hit shutout for an 8-0 win in 6 innings as Minot State opened NSIC action with the sweep on the campus of Dordt University. Minot State is back in action today in another NSIC doubleheader, playing against host Wayne State at 8 p.m., once again on the Dordt campus.
 
GAME 1 | Minot State 6, Sioux Falls 2
 
The Minot State Beavers took a 5-0 lead in the first inning and never trailed from there on the way to a 6-2 victory against the Sioux Falls Cougars on Friday. Junior Reegan Floyd (2-2) got the win for Minot State. The right-hander went seven innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on seven hits, allowing four walks and striking out four. In the batter’s box, the Beavers were led by junior Abby Lohse, who went 2-for-4 on the day with two RBI. Junior Hannah Murray furnished a standout performance at the dish as well, going 2-for-4 with two RBI. Senior Lauryn DeGuzman also chipped in for Minot State, putting together one hit in two trips to the plate while adding a walk and an RBI. The Beavers got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with two runs in the top of the first inning on a Lohse two-run single. Minot State’s offense started clicking and put up five runs, including a two-run single from Murray. The Beavers then lost some of their lead, but expanded on their advantage in the fourth inning after the Cougars cut it to 5-2. Lohse came across to score the lone run of the inning for Minot State, which brought the score to 6-2 in favor of the Beavers. The score remained 6-2 for the rest of the game, as Minot State coasted to the win.
 
GAME 2 | Minot State 8, Sioux Falls 0, 6 innings
 
Senior Gabi Dawyduk was dealing on Friday, tossing a one-hit shutout to lead the Minot State Beavers past the Sioux Falls Cougars 8-0 in 6 innings. Dawyduk (2-3) went the distance for Minot State, giving up one hit, walking one and striking out three. At the plate, the Beavers were led by senior Taryn Bennett, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a double, a walk and three RBI. Sophomore Anna LaCount put together a standout effort as well, going 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and three RBI. Senior Brooklyn Morrison also chipped in for Minot State, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding a double and a walk. The Beavers took the lead for good in the third, scoring for the first time in the inning. Bennett’s bases-clearing double put all three runs on the board in the inning for Minot State. The Beavers then tacked on runs in the fourth and sixth innings, with their biggest output coming in the fourth when they scored four times. The big hit in that inning was a three-run double off the bat of LaCount.
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MINOT STATE BASEBALL
 
SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. (MSU) – Minot State got contributions from every part of their lineup as all nine starters reached base safely, helping the Beavers put 10 runs on the board and beat the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs 10-5 on Friday in the finale of their NSIC series. The teams were originally scheduled to play a doubleheader but bad weather forced the cancellation of the second game. Junior Gage Eastlick (1-1) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Minot State (8-13 overall, 5-6 NSIC). The right-hander went 1.2 shutout innings while giving up one hit, allowing no walks and striking out one. Junior Hayden Bode also made an impact on the mound for the Beavers, throwing one shutout inning while allowing no hits, with one walk and two strikeouts. Trailing 1-0, the Beavers first put runs on the board in the third inning. Minot State got an RBI single from junior Brian Parry, scoring sophomore Colton Bagshaw from third base. The score stayed at 1-1 until the very next inning when the Beavers put runs on the scoreboard once again. The Minot State offense exploded for five runs, highlighted by a one-run single off the bat of junior Grant Gabbert, which brought the Beavers lead to 6-1. Southwest Minnesota State narrowed Minot State’s lead to 6-4 before the Beavers stretched the advantage to 8-4 in the sixth inning. The Beavers added two runs off of Southwest Minnesota State pitching, punctuated by a run-scoring double off the bat of Gabbert. Minot State kept the Mustangs scoreless before building on their lead in the eighth inning. Parry crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Beavers, bringing the score to 9-4 in favor of Minot State. Southwest Minnesota State got within 9-5 until the Beavers scored again in the ninth inning to stretch their lead to 10-5. Minot State scored once on an RBI single off the bat of sophomore Noah Madas. The score remained 10-5 for the rest of the game, as the Beavers coasted to the win.
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UND HOCKEY
 
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Top-seeded North Dakota dropped a 6-3 decision to No. 5 Omaha in the NCHC Frozen Faceoff Semifinal on Friday afternoon from the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. Despite the loss, North Dakota (26-11-2) will advance to the NCAA Tournament for the 35th time in program history beginning next week. The Fighting Hawks will learn their seed, matchup and location as part of the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday evening at 5:30 p.m. (CT) on ESPNU and ESPN+. Denver defeated St. Cloud State in the other Semifinal 5-4 in overtime. Omaha and Denver play tonight in the NCHC Championship at 7:38 pm.
 
Omaha’s (23-11-4) Zach Urdahl struck for three goals and an assist while fellow forward Jesse Landell dished out a trio of helpers to help the Mavericks record their third straight win over NoDak and cement themselves in the national tournament. Jackson Blake notched yet another multi-point game for the green and white, recording a pair of assists to eclipse the century mark in career points. He becomes the first sophomore at UND to reach the 100-point mark since Zach Parise in 2003-04, the 26th player in program history to reach the milestone in less than 100 games and the sixth-fastest in UND history at just 78 contests. North Dakota got off to the start it wanted, striking just 78 seconds into the game when Jackson Kunz potted his eighth goal of the season on a loose puck in the crease to quickly put the green and white in front, 1-0. The Hawks nearly doubled the advantage while shorthanded, but Dylan James was stopped on a 2-on-1 chance late in the stanza. Just a few seconds after the James chance and as the power play was winding down, Omaha knotted the game at 1-1 on Urdahl’s first of the night to send the game into the first intermission tied. Blake nearly gave UND the lead right out of the gate to start the second period, but his breakaway attempt hit the post after a great move to keep the game tied at 1-1. Omaha took advantage of a pair of chances, grabbing a 3-1 lead with a pair of goals in the middle stanza. Hunter Johannes brought the Hawks within a goal in the dying seconds of the second period, finishing off a rebound from a Logan Britt shot to cut the deficit to 3-2 after 40 minutes. The Mavericks restored the two-goal lead early in the third, with the puck squirting through goaltender Hobie Hedquist and in despite the whistle blowing prior to the puck entering the net just 1:18 into the third period. NoDak answered back again to cut it one on Jake Livanavage’s snipe on the power play with just over 10 minutes to play in regulation, but a pair of goals over the next five minutes by the Mavs sealed the 6-3 victory.
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MINOTAUROS
 
MINOT, ND – Colby Woogk scored in the second period to tie the game at 1-1 and Nicholas Sewecke tallied an early third period goal as the Minot Minotauros defeated the Bruins in Austin, 2-1 on Friday. Brady James made 20 saves on 21 shots and Lukas Swedin stopped both shots he the pair combine to get the win for Minot. Fifteen penalties were whistled totalling 80 minutes in the box. Minot had eight for 50 minutes and Austin seven for 30 minutes. Same two teams play again tonight in Austin.
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WOLVES-CAVS
 
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Mike Conley scored 21 points and fan favorite Naz Reid added 18 points on his beach towel giveaway night, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves past the Cleveland Cavaliers 104-91 on Friday. Anthony Edwards had 16 points and 13 rebounds, Rudy Gobert grabbed 15 rebounds and Jaden McDaniels added 15 points, three steals and two blocks for the Timberwolves (48-22), who shot 52% from 3-point range (14 for 27) and kept pace with first-place Oklahoma City (49-20) in the Western Conference playoff race after the Thunder won at Toronto. The Wolves are third, one game behind Denver (49-21). They matched their best 70-game record in franchise history and already have their most wins in 20 seasons. Darius Garland led the Cavaliers with 19 points, Caris LeVert added 16 and Jarrett Allen had his 35th double-double of the season with 15 points and 13 rebounds, but banged-up Cleveland lost for the fifth time in seven games. The Cavs played without All-Star Donovan Mitchell for the third straight game because of a broken nose. Reid exited the concussion protocol after missing the last game and moved into the starting lineup with immediate success. Gobert was back, too, after a rib injury sidelined him for the three previous games. The role players did the bulk of the dirty and glamorous work for the Wolves on this night, playing again without All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns as he sat on the bench with a wide smile and backward baseball cap in his eighth consecutive absence recovering from a torn meniscus in his left knee. The Wolves put on 3-point shooting show in the first half in honor of their absent ace, hitting seven of their first 11 tries with a career high-tying four makes by Jordan McLaughlin. The Timberwolves host Golden State on Sunday night.
 
 

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KHRT Sports – 03/22/24

KHRT SPORTS – FRIDAY – 03/22/24
 

MINOT, ND – Division AA Basketball All-State teams were announced on Thursday and three Minot High players were honored.
 
Division AA Girls Basketball All-State
 
First Team
Jocelyn Schiller, 5’7 senior guard, Grand Forks Red River (unanimous) – 26.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 6.2 apg, 5.5 spg, 44.1% FG, 76.2% FT
Leelee Bell, 6’3 sophomore guard/forward, Minot (unanimous) – 25.0 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 2.5 apg
Ashton Safranski, 5’7 senior guard, Fargo Davies – 17.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 6.0 apg, 6.2 spg, 50.4% FG, 39.2% 3FG
Jaiden Haile, 6’2 junior forward, West Fargo Horace – 24.0 ppg, 15.7 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.6 spg, 61.9% FG
Maggie Fricke, 5’8 sophomore guard, Minot – 18.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 5.0 apg
 
Second Team
Paige Breuer, 5’7 senior guard, Bismarck – 15.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.5 apg
Jersey Berg, 5’11 senior forward, Bismarck- 14.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.5 apg
Brenna Dick, 5’9 senior guard, West Fargo Sheyenne – 23.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.4 apg, 4.6 spg, 40.6% FG, 24.5% 3FG, 79.4% FT
Brooklynn Felchle, 6’3 junior center, Bismarck Legacy – 14.0 ppg, 8 rpg, 1 apg
McKenna Johnson, 6’2 junior forward, Mandan – 15.0 ppg, 10 rpg, 1.5 apg
Lauren Reardon, 5’8 junior guard, Grand Forks Central – 21.7 ppg, 3.3 apg, 2.1 spg, 36.3% FG, 80.1% FT
 

Division AA Boys Basketball All-State
 
First Team
Mason Klabo, 6’2 junior guard, Fargo Davies (unanimous) – 26.5 ppg, 5.2 apg, 1.9 spg, 45.6% FG, 43.2% 3FG, 83.1% FT
Isiah St. Romain, 6’3 senior forward/guard, Williston – 23.0 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 apg
Carter Zeller, 6’5 senior center, Fargo North – 20.6 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 1.4 apg, 0.7 spg, 0.8 bpg, 67.2% FG, 62.0% FT
Tommy Ahneman, 6’9 junior center, West Fargo Sheyenne – 20.5 ppg, 13.0 rpg, 2.1 apg, 0.9 spg, 2.2 bpg, 62.1% FG, 63.4% FT
Hudsen Sheldon, 6’2 junior guard, Mandan – 21.0 ppg, 5 rpg, 5 apg
 
Second Team
Isaiah Schafer, 6’3 senior guard/forward, Bismarck Century – 19.0 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg
Logan Conklin, 6’5 senior forward, Minot – 18.0 ppg, 7 rpg, 3 apg
James Hamilton, 6’3 senior guard/forward, Fargo South – 24.2 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.8 spg, 53.3% FG, 63.8% FT
Tony Leal, 6’5 senior forward, West Fargo – 23.0 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 2.2 apg, 2.0 spg, 0.7 bpg, 47.7% FG, 30.4 % 3FG, 60.0% FT
Andre Austin, 6’3 junior guard, Bismarck – 16.5 ppg, 6 rpg, 5 apg
Parker Falcon, 6’5 junior forward, Bismarck Legacy – 21.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.5 apg
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MINOT, ND – We’ll find out this afternoon who wins North Dakota Miss and Mr Basketball. The award goes to the top senior player in the state.
 
Miss Basketball Finalists
Mataeya Mathern, 6’ guard, Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier – 17.5 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 4.1 apg, 4.5 spg, 42% FG, 70% FT
Jessica Mogen, 5’9 guard, Watford City – 19.7 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 4.0 apg, 2.2 bpg
Ashton Safranski, 5’7 guard, Fargo Davies – 17.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 6.0 apg, 6.2 spg, 50.4% FG, 39.2% 3FG
Rylee Satrom, 5’9 guard, May-Port CG – 20.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.4 apg, 4.3 spg, 48.8% FG, 58.6% 2FG, 31.0% 3FG, 53.1% FT
Jocelyn Schiller, 5’7 guard, Grand Forks Red River – 26.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 6.2 apg, 5.5 spg, 44.1% FG, 76.2% FT
Maya Vibeto, 5’4 guard, Our Redeemer’s – 20.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 3.6 spg, 40% FG, 45% 2FG, 33% 3FG, 78% FT

Mr Basketball Finalists
Wylee Delorme, 6’5 guard, Devils Lake – 17.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.0 spg, 47.3% FG, 29.7% 3FG, 68.8% FT
Deng Deng, 6’4 forward, Four Winds-Minnewaukan – 27.2 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.3 apg, 3.0 spg, 2.0 bpg, 56% FG, 26% 3FG, 68% FT
Bohden Duffield, 6’ guard, Bowman County – 22.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.5 apg, 3.5 spg, 1 bpg, 62% FG, 38% 3FG, 78% FT
Dane Hagler, 6’5 guard, North Star – 21.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 6.2 apg, 3.2 spg, 53.3% FG, 63.8% 2FG, 31.7% 3FG, 69.2% FT
James Hamilton, 6’3 guard/forward, Fargo South – 24.2 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.8 spg, 53.3% FG, 63.8% FT
Max Musland, 6’4 guard, LaMoure-Litchville-Marion – 25.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.5 spg, 52.0% eFG, 73.4% FT
Isiah St. Romain, 6’3 forward/guard, Williston – 23.0 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 apg
Carter Zeller, 6’5 center, Fargo North – 20.6 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 1.4 apg, 0.7 spg, 0.8 bpg, 67.2% FG, 62.0% FT
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MSU BASEBALL
 
WAYNE, Neb. (MSU) – The Minot State baseball team couldn’t find its rhythm offensively, falling 5-1 and 10-3 to Southwest Minnesota State in an NSIC doubleheader played in Wayne, Nebraska on Thursday. Minot State (7-13 overall, 4-6 NSIC) plays the Mustangs in another NSIC doubleheader today with the teams meeting in South Sioux City, Iowa with first pitch scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
 
GAME 1 | Southwest Minnesota State 5, Minot State 1
Sophomore Noah Madas went 1-for-1 for the Minot State Beavers in a 5-1 loss to the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs on Thursday. Senior Craig Schmich (1-4) got the ball to start for Minot State and took the loss. Freshman Conner Meldrim was a bright spot for the Beavers, coming out of the bullpen and throwing one shutout inning, allowing one hit, with one walk and two strikeouts. Offensively, the Beavers were led by Madas, who went 1-for-1 on the day with a walk. The Beavers were trailing 2-0 in the third inning when they first put runs on the board. Senior Cameron Carr came across to score the lone run of the inning on a Grant Gabbert sacrifice fly for Minot State and get them on the board. The Beavers were unable to get any closer, as Southwest Minnesota State added three runs to their tally on the way to a 5-1 final.
 
GAME 2 | Southwest Minnesota State 10, Minot State 3
Though they had plenty of opportunities, Minot State struggled to cash them in, leaving 10 Beavers on base in a 10-3 defeat at the hands of the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs on Thursday. Senior Trevyn Badger (1-2) got the ball to start for Minot State and took the loss. Offensively, the Beavers were led by senior Ricky Apodaca, who went 1-for-4 on the day with a walk and two RBI. Senior Martin Rodriquez furnished a standout day at the dish as well, going 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI. Junior Brian Parry also chipped in for Minot State, putting together two hits in five trips to the plate. The Beavers got on the scoreboard first, starting in the second inning. Minot State got an RBI single from Rodriquez, scoring junior Brent Riddle from second base. The Beavers lost the lead they built in the second, but got back on the board in the seventh trailing 6-1. Minot State picked up two runs when a single from Apodaca scored junior Seugjun Song and Parry, which tightened the Mustangs lead to 6-3. The Beavers were unable to get any closer, as Southwest Minnesota State added four runs to their tally on the way to a 10-3 final.
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MSU WOMENS HOCKEY-HONORS
 
MINOT, N.D. (MSU) – Following a fantastic run at the ACHA Women’s Division I National Tournament last week, a trio of Minot State players were honored for their performance on the ice on Thursday by the ACHA. Minot State goalie Haylie Biever, defenseman Aspen Cooper, and forward Makena Welby all were named to the ACHA All-Tournament First Team as they helped lead the Beavers to the national championship game for the second straight year. Biever played in all four of Minot State’s games in goal picking up three straight wins to back-stop the Beavers to runner-up national champion honors. She made 160 saves on 167 shots and stopped a penalty-shot chance in the tournament. Biever also set a new single-game Minot State record of 70 saves in a 2-1, double-overtime victory in the semifinals over No. 1 ranked Liberty, ending the Flames run of five consecutive national titles. Cooper helped anchor a defense in front of Biever that allowed just 7 goals in the tournament, and she added the opening goal of the tournament for the Beavers, scoring the first goal of Minot State’s 3-2 overtime win over Michigan in the teams’ first-round game. Welby sparked the offense as she had a pair of goals, both in Minot State’s dramatic opening win as she tied the game with 1 second remaining against Michigan, then scored the overtime game-winner for the Beavers.
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UND HOCKEY-HONOR
 
SAINT PAUL, Minn. (UND) – Sophomore Jackson Blake picked up a pair of individual conference honors, highlighted by the NCHC Player of the Year Award, as announced by the league at the annual awards banquet on Thursday night from the St. Paul Event Center. Blake captured the league’s player and Forward of the Year honors after breaking the NCHC record for conference points in a season with 37 in just 24 games. The sophomore becomes the second UND player to win the NCHC’s top honor, joining Shane Pinto in 2020-21, and the 10th conference player of the year in program history. The Eden Prairie, Minn., native was a unanimous selection to the All-NCHC First Team after pacing the league in points (37) and assists (26) during league play while his 11 goals were tied for seventh. He notched points in all but four league games this season, while recording multiple points in 10 contests. Overall, Blake’s 57 points this season are currently second in the nation and paces the NCHC, while his 36 assists are fourth nationally and best in the conference. The sophomore has also potted 21 goals, including five game winners, to lead the team, rank 13th in the NCAA and fifth in the league. For his career, the sophomore has 37 goals and 62 assists for 99 career points. He is looking to become only the second UND player in the last 30 years to hit the 100-point mark in just two seasons, joining Zach Parise in 2003-04. North Dakota will battle Omaha in the semifinals of the NCHC Frozen Faceoff today at 4:07 p.m. from the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. The entire tournament will air nationally on CBS Sports Network and the Home of Economy Radio Network.
 

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KHRT Sports – 03/21/24

KHRT SPORTS – THURSDAY – 03/21/24
 

MINOT, ND – Division A Basketball All-State teams were announced on Wednesday.
 
Division A Girls Basketball All-State
 
First Team
Jessica Mogen, 5’9 senior guard, Watford City (unanimous) – 19.9 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 4 apg, 5 spg, 2.5 bpg, 49% FG, 71% FT
Addison Sage, 5’5 sophomore guard, Thompson – 19.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.0 spg, 54.2% 2FG, 57.3% 3FG, 78.1% FT
Haidyn Crockett, 5’7 junior guard, Northern Cass – 26 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 6 apg, 2 spg
Scout Woods, 5’10 junior forward, Wahpeton – 21 ppg, 8 rpg, 50% FG, 76% FT
Kylie Simpson, 5’9 senior guard, Bottineau – 15.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.3 apg, 3.3 spg, 43% FG, 49% 2FG, 34% 3FG, 73% FT
 
Second Team
Kya Hurst, 5’6 sophomore guard, Thompson – 13.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, 3.3 spg, 48.5% 2FG, 41.0% 3FG, 72.5 FT
Kyra Beckman, 6’ junior forward, Bottineau – 17.7 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.5 spg, 52% FG, 60% 2FG, 25% 3FG, 65% FT
Sydney Schwabe, 5’4 senior guard, Thompson – 11.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.0 apg, 3.1 spg, 47.1% 2FG, 45.3% 3FG, 69.5% FT
Annabel Scheeler, 5’5 sophomore guard, Dickinson Trinity – 16.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.7 spg, 82.5% FT
Tesa Olson, 5’10 senior guard/forward, Valley City – 12.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.0 apg, 43.5% 2FG, 29% 3FG, 70.5% FT
 

Division A Boys Basketball All-State
 
First Team
Deng Deng, 6’4 senior forward, Four Winds-Minnewaukan (unanimous) – 27.2 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.3 apg, 3.0 spg, 2.0 bpg, 56% FG, 26% 3FG, 68% FT
Carson Haerer, 6’ senior guard, Bottineau – 28.3 ppg, 7 rpg, 3 apg, 3 spg, 72% FT
Tyson Wick, 6’2 senior guard, Hazen – 28.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 4.6 apg, 2.3 spg
Cole Holzer, 6’7 senior forward, Central Cass – 20.6 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 2.8 apg, 50.6% FG
Brooks Bakko, 6’4 freshman guard, Kindred – 13 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 4 apg, 62% FG, 50% 3FG
Wylee Delorme, 6’5 senior guard, Devils Lake – 17.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.0 spg, 47.3% FG, 29.7% 3FG, 68.8% FT
 
Second Team
Braylon Baldwin, 5’11 senior guard, Grafton – 20.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 5.3 apg, 2.2 spg, 46.7% FG, 49.4% 2FG, 43.9% 3FG, 76.9% FT
Trace Beauchamp, 6’3 senior guard, Beulah – 21.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.8 spg
Presley Peraza, 6’6 junior forward, Kindred – 13.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3 apg, 59% FG, 33% 3FG
Atticus Wilkinson, 6’6 senior center, Shiloh Christian – 18 ppg, 8 rpg, 1.2 bpg
Braylon Fisher, 6’2 senior guard, Des Lacs-Burlington – 14.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.5 spg, 50% FG, 58% 2FG, 32% 3FG, 73% FT
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UND HOCKEY-HONOR
 
SAINT PAUL, Minn. (UND) – Sophomore forward Jackson Blake added another accolade to his running list, earning a spot on the 2024 Hobey Baker Award Top-10 Finalist list as announced by the award committee on Wednesday afternoon. The ten finalists were selected by voting from all 64 NCAA Division I college hockey head coaches plus online fan balloting. Blake becomes the 27th North Dakota player to earn the distinction and first since Shane Pinto in 2020-21. The 27 top-10 selections are second in NCAA history behind only Boston College’s 28, who moved into first with two selections this year.
 
The Eden Prairie, Minn., native has put together one of the best sophomore seasons in program history, climbing near the top of many national leaderboards. Blake’s 57 points this season are currently second in the nation and paces the NCHC, while his 36 assists are fourth nationally and best in the conference. The sophomore has also potted 21 goals, including five game winners, to lead the team, rank 13th in the NCAA and fifth in the league. He became only the fifth player since 1989-90 at UND to record at least 40 points in each of his first two seasons and is just three points away from joining Brock Boeser (2015-16) as the only NoDak skaters to hit the 60-point mark during a single season in the last decade.
 
Blake has only gotten stronger as the year wore on, potting points in 19 of UND’s last 20 games since the calendar flipped to 2024 and has 31 points over his last 16 contests, including a current stretch of 18 in his last nine. He was named a finalist for the NCHC Player of the Year as well as the conference’s forward of the year after setting the NCHC record with 37 points in 24 league games, both of which will be presented on Thursday evening. If he were to win the NCHC’s top player award, he would become only the second UND skater to earn the honor, joining Pinto in 2020-21. For his career, the sophomore has 37 goals and 62 assists for 99 career points. He is looking to become only the second UND player in the last 30 years to hit the 100-point mark in just two seasons, joining Zach Parise in 2003-04.
 
The second phase of fan balloting will run March 20-31 with the top-10 candidates only. The Hobey Hat Trick of three finalists will be announced Friday, April 4 at 11 a.m. (CT) and the winner announced on Friday, April 12 at the NCAA Frozen Four in St. Paul, Minn. in a nationally televised show on NHL Network.
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WILD-KINGS
 
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Captain Anze Kopitar had a goal and an assist while recording his 1,200th career point, David Rittich made 30 saves in his third shutout of the season, and the Los Angeles Kings routed the Minnesota Wild 6-0 on Wednesday night. Viktor Arvidsson had his first goal of the season and an assist in his return from a monthlong injury absence. Kevin Fiala and Phillip Danault also had a goal and an assist as the Kings wrapped up back-to-back home victories by a combined 12-2 over the past two days. Matt Roy and Jordan Spence also scored for LA, while Rittich was solid in the backup goalie’s seventh career shutout and third in his last 10 starts. The 36-year-old Kopitar became the 52nd player in NHL history to score 1,200 points when he got the primary assist on Fiala’s goal in the first period. Kopitar added a power-play goal late in the second, passing Dino Ciccarelli for 51st on the career scoring list. Marc-Andre Fleury faced only 16 shots before Filip Gustavsson replaced him in the second period with Minnesota down 5-0. Fleury’s teammates deflected two of the goals past him in a comprehensively ugly effort by the Wild, who came in with an eight-game points streak after beating Anaheim 4-0 a night earlier for their sixth win in those eight games. The Wild host St. Louis on Saturday.
 
 

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KHRT Sports – 03/20/24

KHRT SPORTS – WEDNESDAY – 03/20/24
 

MINOT, ND – Division B Basketball All-State teams were announced on Tuesday.
 
Division B Girls Basketball All-State
 
First Team
Rylee Satrom, 5’9 senior guard, May-Port CG (unanimous) – 20.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.4 apg, 4.3 spg, 48.8% FG, 58.6% 2FG, 31.0% 3FG, 53.1% FT
Maya Vibeto, 5’4 senior guard, Our Redeemer’s (unanimous) – 20.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 3.6 spg, 40% FG, 45% 2FG, 33% 3FG, 78% FT
Mataeya Mathern, 6’ senior guard, Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier – 17.5 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 4.1 apg, 4.5 spg, 42% FG, 70% FT
Laela Jensen, 5’7 junior guard, Hettinger-Scranton – 19.1 ppg, 6 rpg, 3 apg, 4 spg
Raegen Honeyman, 5’11 junior forward/guard, Bowman County – 17.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 44.7% FG, 32.7% 3FG, 51.5% F
 
Second Team
Karleigh Kadoun, 5’10 sophomore forward, Sargent County – 18.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.1 apg, 3.3 spg
Teagan Erbele, 5’8 senior forward, Napoleon-Gackle-Streeter – 19 ppg, 15 rpg, 4.6 spg
Jaci Fischer, 5’9 senior guard/forward, Bowman County – 14.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 46.4% FG, 34.5% 3FG, 81.8% FT
Cora Badding, 6’1 senior forward, Langdon Area-Edmore-Munich – 18 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.5 apg, 51% FG, 67.1% FT
Kennison Azure, 5’11 junior forward, Hatton-Northwood – 18.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.3 spg, 1 bpg, 52% 2FG, 32% 3FG, 95% FT
 

Division B Boy Basketball All-State
 
First Team
Dane Hagler, 6’5 senior guard, North Star – 21.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 6.2 apg, 3.2 spg, 53.3% FG, 63.8% 2FG, 31.7% 3FG, 69.2% FT
Bohden Duffield, 6’ senior guard, Bowman County – 22.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.5 apg, 3.5 spg, 1 bpg, 62% FG, 38% 3FG, 78% FT
Walker Braaten, 6’3 junior guard, Westhope-Newburg – 26.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.8 apg, 3.2 spg, 52% FG, 64% 2FG, 39% 3FG, 74% FT
Max Musland, 6’4 senior guard, LaMoure-Litchville-Marion – 25.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.5 spg, 52.0% eFG, 73.4% FT
Javin Friesz, 6’2 senior guard, Flasher – 24 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 3 apg, 2 spg, 1.3 bpg, 41% FG, 39% 3FG, 63% FT
 
Second Team
Bishop Duffield, 6’1 senior guard/forward, Bowman County – 19.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 3.3 apg, 3.1 spg, 1 bpg, 68% FG, 37.8% 3FG, 79% FT
Ramsey Walz, 6’7 junior forward, Bishop Ryan – 19 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.1 spg, 60% FG, 67% 2FG, 34% 3FG, 74% FT
Raeshaun Earl, 5’11 sophomore guard, Hankinson – 25.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.5 apg, 3.9 spg
Kai Thomas, 6’6 senior forward, Williston Trinity Christian – 23.4 ppg, 12.2 rpg, 4.1 apg, 3 spg, 2.8 bpg, 56.8% 2FG, 41.1% 3FG
Talan Devine, 6’3 senior forward, Cavalier – 22.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.9 spg, 50% 2FG, 35% 3FG, 77.7% FT
Jett Lundeen, 6’2 junior guard, Bishop Ryan – 15.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 5.4 apg, 2.2 spg, 43% FG, 53% 2FG, 30% 3FG, 70% FT
Riley Robinson, 5’11 senior guard, Midway-Minto – 23.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 5.2 apg, 3.1 spg, 52% FG
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MSU WOMENS HOCKEY
 
MINOT, N.D. (MSU) – Minot State University will host a special “Welcome Home” party today for the Beaver women’s hockey team which was ACHA runner-up national champions for the second straight year. This special event is open to the public and will be held in “The Beaver Dam” starting at 11:45 am today. The Beaver Dam is located on the second floor of the Student Center on the Minot State campus. The Minot State women’s hockey team made a dramatic run to the ACHA national title game this past week, winning three straight games in overtime to earn a shot at the championship before seeing their run end in a 4-1 setback to Adrian (Mich.).
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UND MENS BASKETBALL-HONOR
 
KANSAS CITY, Mo.(UND) – B.J. Omot has been named to the NABC Second Team All-District 12, from the NABC office Tuesday morning. Omot led the Fighting Hawks in points for the second straight season, bolstering his scoring average from 12 points per game to 16.7 (in all games—fifth in the Summit League). In SL games he scored 17 points per game, sixth in the SL. He set a new career high with 30 points in an 82-69 win at Kansas City this season. He shot .416 from the floor and .700 from the foul line, also averaged 4.2 rebounds per game and led UND with 29 blocked shots. Additionally, he earned his first career Summit League Peak Performer of the Week award with 21 points and eight rebounds at Nebraska. He was named First Team All-Conference. The last player to be given NABC All-District Honors was Troy Huff in 2012-13, and Brian Jones was named All-District Coach in 2016-17.
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TIMBERWOLVES-NUGGETS
 
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 35 points and 16 rebounds and Michael Porter Jr. scored 13 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter as the Denver Nuggets fended off the undermanned and undersized Minnesota Timberwolves 115-112 on Tuesday night. Jamal Murray added 18 points and 11 assists and Aaron Gordon had 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Nuggets, who blew an 18-point lead in less than 12 minutes before finishing a four-game road trip strong. The Nuggets (48-21) moved within percentage points of idle Oklahoma City (47-20) for the Western Conference lead. The Timberwolves (47-22) dropped one game back into third place. Anthony Edwards had 30 points — his fourth straight 30-point game — and eight rebounds and eight assists. The clean look from the wing he created with a crossover dribble for the tie at the buzzer hit the front of the rim, leaving him scoreless in the fourth quarter after the Nuggets cranked up the double teams. The shot was similar, Jokic noted, to the one Edwards missed for the tie at the end of Game 5 in their first-round playoff series last year. The Timberwolves played at home for the first time in 15 days and without their top three big men, a case of bad timing against the defending champions and Jokic. With Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) out indefinitely and Rudy Gobert (ribs) sidelined for a third straight game, Naz Reid (head) joined them on the inactive list after getting hurt the night before in a win at Utah. Jokic had 40 pounds and three inches on Kyle Anderson, who with Luka Garza drew the bulk of the work defending the two-time NBA MVP. The Timberwolves host Cleveland on Friday.
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WILD-DUCKS
 
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Filip Gustavsson recorded his third shutout this season, Kirill Kaprizov extended his point streak to eight games with the 150th goal of his NHL career and the Minnesota Wild beat the Anaheim Ducks for the second time in six days, 4-0 on Tuesday night. Gustavsson stopped 27 shots for his sixth career shutout. Ryan Hartman had a goal and an assist while Jon Merrill and Jacob Lucchini also scored. Minnesota has won four of its last five and picked up a point in its eighth straight game, going 6-0-2. With Vegas’ 5-3 loss to Tampa Bay, the Wild are three points behind the Golden Knights for the Western Conference’s second wild card. John Gibson made 28 saves as Anaheim dropped its seventh straight and was blanked for the third time in four games, including a 2-0 loss at Minnesota on March 14. Kaprizov is in his fourth season with the Wild. He reached 150 goals in 265 games, the fastest of the four players in franchise history to reach that milestone. The Wild remain in Southern California to face the Los Angeles Kings tonight.
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VIKINGS-SIGNING
 
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms on a contract Tuesday with free agent cornerback Shaquill Griffin, adding some needed experience to an unproven position group. The eighth-year veteran joins his fifth NFL team, after starting last season with Houston and then moving to Carolina after he was released. Drafted by Seattle in the third round out of UCF in 2017, Griffin has started 79 of 89 games in his career with seven interceptions and 64 passes defensed. He was a Pro Bowl pick in 2019. The Vikings had success with the addition last year of cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. in free agency, but there isn’t much settled at the position beyond him. Akayleb Evans was benched down the stretch last season. Mekhi Blackmon showed some promise as a rookie last year, but he played primarily in the slot. Andrew Booth Jr., who was part of the 2022 draft class with Evans, hasn’t been a reliable contributor.
 
 
 

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KHRT Sports – 03/19/24

KHRT SPORTS – TUESDAY – 03/19/24
 

MINOT, ND – Finalist for North Dakota Miss and Mr Basketball were announced on Monday. The award goes to the top senior player in the state. Winners will be announced on Friday afternoon.
 
Miss Basketball Finalists
Mataeya Mathern, 6’ guard, Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier – 17.5 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 4.1 apg, 4.5 spg, 42% FG, 70% FT
Jessica Mogen, 5’9 guard, Watford City – 19.7 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 4.0 apg, 2.2 bpg
Ashton Safranski, 5’7 guard, Fargo Davies – 17.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 6.0 apg, 6.2 spg, 50.4% FG, 39.2% 3FG
Rylee Satrom, 5’9 guard, May-Port CG – 20.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.4 apg, 4.3 spg, 48.8% FG, 58.6% 2FG, 31.0% 3FG, 53.1% FT
Jocelyn Schiller, 5’7 guard, Grand Forks Red River – 26.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 6.2 apg, 5.5 spg, 44.1% FG, 76.2% FT
Maya Vibeto, 5’4 guard, Our Redeemer’s – 20.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 3.6 spg, 40% FG, 45% 2FG, 33% 3FG, 78% FT
 
Mr Basketball Finalists
Wylee Delorme, 6’5 guard, Devils Lake – 17.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.0 spg, 47.3% FG, 29.7% 3FG, 68.8% FT
Deng Deng, 6’4 forward, Four Winds-Minnewaukan – 27.2 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.3 apg, 3.0 spg, 2.0 bpg, 56% FG, 26% 3FG, 68% FT
Bohden Duffield, 6’ guard, Bowman County – 22.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.5 apg, 3.5 spg, 1 bpg, 62% FG, 38% 3FG, 78% FT
Dane Hagler, 6’5 guard, North Star – 21.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 6.2 apg, 3.2 spg, 53.3% FG, 63.8% 2FG, 31.7% 3FG, 69.2% FT
James Hamilton, 6’3 guard/forward, Fargo South – 24.2 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.8 spg, 53.3% FG, 63.8% FT
Max Musland, 6’4 guard, LaMoure-Litchville-Marion – 25.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.5 spg, 52.0% eFG, 73.4% FT
Isiah St. Romain, 6’3 forward/guard, Williston – 23.0 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 apg
Carter Zeller, 6’5 center, Fargo North – 20.6 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 1.4 apg, 0.7 spg, 0.8 bpg, 67.2% FG, 62.0% FT
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MSU WOMENS HOCKEY
 
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO. (MSU) – It was not the finish they were hoping for, but the road to get there was certainly not easy. The Minot State women’s hockey team hit the ice for one last time this season in their second-straight appearance in the ACHA National Championship. In a matinee start time, they were tasked with getting past 3rd-seeded Adrian College. Ultimately, it just was not there for the Beavers as the gas tank emptied in a defeat at the hands of the Adrian Bulldogs. Minot State falls in the National Championship by a final score of 4-1.
 
Period one did not go the Beavers way despite being scoreless through the first 16 minutes. That was until Adrian scored to go up 1-0 at 16:17, which they carried going into the locker room. The second period was a better turnout for the Beavers, as Minot got going with a power-play goal. An opportunity that is so critical at this time of the season. They sat tied through two periods at one goal apiece with the next goal being a huge one. In the third period, things started to slip away for Minot State as Adrian dug at a loose puck in the crease and was able to put it into the open cage to sway all momentum. That goal came just 35 seconds in, setting up a huge boost on the Bulldogs bench. Not even four minutes later, Adrian would score again on a beautiful move past one Beaver defender and a clean shot over the shoulder to go up 3-1. Late in the third, the Beavers gambled on an empty net to bring in the extra attacker. It did not pay off as Adrian was able to gain possession and deposit into the open cage to solidify the 4-1 final score.
 
Riley Ball was the lone goal scorer for the Beavers at 13:11 of the second period. Haylie Biever did all she could following an incredible overall performance at the tournament. She held on for 32 saves on 35 total shots from Adrian. Adrian College wins the 2024 ACHA National Championship as Minot State drops their eighth overall contest to the Bulldogs under MSU Athletics affiliation.
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UND HOCKEY
 
ST. PAUL, Minn. (UND) – With matchups set, the National Collegiate Hockey Conference announced the start times for each Frozen Faceoff semifinal at Xcel Energy Center on Friday, March 22. No. 1 seed North Dakota will battle fifth-seeded Omaha in the first semifinal at 4:07 p.m. while No. 2 seed Denver and No. 3 seed St. Cloud State will close the night with the second semifinal at 7:37 p.m. This will be the fifth meeting this season between North Dakota and Omaha, with the Mavericks claiming the season series for the first time in program history with three wins in the first four contests. While Friday will be the first matchup at the NCHC Frozen Faceoff between the programs, UND has met the Mavericks five previous times in postseason play. The Fighting Hawks swept the NCHC Quarterfinals in 2017-18 before claiming a three-game series win at Baxter Arena last season. The winners of each semifinal will advance to the championship game on Saturday, March 23 at 7:38 p.m. All Frozen Faceoff games will air exclusively on CBS Sports Network and the Home of Economy Radio Network.
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TIMBERWOLVES-JAZZ
 
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — One thunderous dunk provided a perfect snapshot of Anthony Edwards’ second-half dominance Monday night. Edwards threw down a monster slam over John Collins of the Utah Jazz in the third quarter, helping the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 114-104 victory but leaving both players banged up after the play. Edwards scored 25 of his 32 points after halftime. The play immediately went viral on social media. Timberwolves veteran point guard Mike Conley said it might have been the best dunk he’s ever witnessed in person. Edwards said he grew up idolizing players like Vince Carter who were known for their dunking ability. Dunking the way they did has always been a goal for Edwards. His slam on Monday night certainly put him in that category. Collins and Edwards were both injured on the play. Edwards dislocated his left ring finger after his hand collided with Collins’ cheekbone. He raced back to the locker room during a subsequent timeout, popped the finger back in place, got it taped up and returned to action. Collins was ruled out for the entire fourth quarter while being evaluated for a possible concussion. His injury was later confirmed to be a head contusion. Edwards’ dunk gave a short-handed Minnesota team an emotional boost during a critical stretch. The Timberwolves lost Naz Reid to a first-half head injury and were already playing without injured starters Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns. Edwards also totaled eight assists, seven rebounds and two blocks over 38 minutes. His relentless energy on both ends of the court put the Jazz on their heels throughout the second half. Edwards has had three consecutive 30-point games. He’s averaged 31.5 points in back-to-back wins over Utah on 58% shooting from the field. The Wolves return home to host Denver tonight in a battle of top teams in the Western Conference.
 

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KHRT Sports – 03/17/24

KHRT SPORTS – SUNDAY – 03/17/24
 

MINOT, ND – Westhope-Newburg and Devils Lake are the champions of the final tournaments of the winter sports season.
 
High School Boys Basketball
Division A
 
State Tournament – FargoDome
 
7th Place
#6 Beulah def. #4 Des Lacs-Burlington, 62-39
5th Place
#7 Valley City def. #8 Killdeer, 67-54
3rd Place
#3 Grafton def. #5 Shiloh Christian, 68-65
Championship
#2 Devils Lake def. #1 Kindred, 59-54
 
State A All-Tournament Team
Beulah – Trace Beauchamp
Devils Lake – Wylee Delorme, Parker Brodina
Grafton – Kyler Droog, Braylon Baldwin
Killdeer – Cooper Bang
Kindred – Presley Peraza, Karson Ouse, Jake Starcevic
Shiloh Christian – Caden Englund, Atticus Wilkiinson
Valley City – Carson Eggert
 
Tournament MVP – Wylee Delorme of Devils Lake
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High School Boys Basketball
Division B
 
State Tournament – Minot State Dome
 
7th Place
#8 LaMoure-Litchville-Marion def. #6 Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier, 59-55
5th Place
#5 Sargent County def. #7 Our Redeemer’s, 67-65
3rd Place
#2 Bowman County def. #4 Bishop Ryan, 62-48
Championship
#3 Westhope-Newburg def. #1 North Star, 65-52
 
State B All-Tournament Team
Bishop Ryan – Ramsey Walz, Jett Lundeen
Bowman County – Bishop Duffield, Bohden Duffield
Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier – Jacob Nitschke
LaMoure-Litchville-Marion – Max Musland
North Star – Dane Haglar, Parker Simon
Our Redeemer’s – Nolan Schmidt
Sargent County – Luke Martinson
Westhope-Newburg – Braden Bailey, Walker Braaten
 
Tournament MVP – Braden Bailey of Westhope-Newburg
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MSU WOMENS HOCKEY
 
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO. (MSU) – They did it again…and this time they get to play for the National Championship! The Minot State women’s hockey team competed in the ACHA National Tournament in another highly contested battle. It was another game that went the distance, almost five periods to be exact in double overtime. In the semifinals, the Beavers matched up with the 1st-seeded Liberty University Flames. In 98 minutes and 10 seconds of hockey action, the Beavers finally found an answer in double overtime to win 2-1 over the Flames and punch their ticket to the ACHA National Championship. There will be a “Natty on St. Patty’s Day” watch party taking place inside the Beaver Dam today when Minot State drops the puck versus Adrian College at 1:00 p.m.
 
The first period started scoreless for a good portion, until Minot got the scoring started at 12:25. Liberty responded over five minutes later at 17:45 to make the opening frame a tie hockey game. After that, you would have to go another 80 minutes and 25 seconds for the next goal to take place. The second period: scoreless. Third period: scoreless. And then we take it into sudden death. First overtime: once again, scoreless. It was an absolute nail-biter with the next goal to determine the winner, and yet many looks on net did not find a way through. The game supposedly ended early courtesy of Liberty. At least, they thought so. They scored in the double overtime period, but it was waved off. Thus, a huge sigh of relief for the Beavers and confidence boost. That goal swing would fuel the Beaver efforts late in the extra period. In the 18th minute, the magic returned. Minot State notches the game winner at 18:10 and their second-straight appearance in the National Championship game. In another overtime session, someone had to play the role of hero once again. Giving Minot State the win was Cameron Schmidt with her first of the tournament. Scoring along with her was captain Riley Ball, who had the first-period marker. Just when Haylie Biever had herself a great performance Friday, she doubled down and went crazy versus Liberty. She was unstoppable with 70 saves on 71 shots to set a brand new single-game record in saves, passing Shelby Tornato’s record of 62 back on October 22, 2016.
 
Minot State picks up their second-straight overtime win versus Liberty this season, counting for both regular and postseason. It is also their third win over the Flames under MSU Athletics affiliation. The Beavers will go for all the marbles tomorrow against the Bulldogs of Adrian College at Centene Community Ice Center.
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MSU TRACK & FIELD
 
LOCKWOOD, Mont. (MSU) – The Beavers enjoyed a very successful start to the outdoor track and field season, setting the tone for the spring with nine event wins and a new NCAA Division II-era school record at the Yellowjackets/Battlin’ Bears Icebreaker Open hosted by Montana State Billings and Rocky Mountain College. Jasiah Hambira and Samuel Kreins led the way for the Minot State men as Hambira won the men’s high jump with that school-record effort, while Kreins doubled up with a pair of wins in the throws. On the ladies, Bailey Wride led the way with an individual event win and she helped the Minot State women’s 4×400-meter relay team claim victory. The meet was the first of the outdoor season and snapped a three-week hiatus since the NSIC Indoor Championships. Minot State next competes in two weeks as the Beavers head to Bismarck, North Dakota for the Al Bortke Open hosted by the University of Mary on Saturday, March 30.
 
Leading the way Saturday in the outdoor opener was Hambira who took over as the NCAA D-II record holder in both the indoor and outdoor high jump as he cleared 6 feet, 6.75 inches to win the event. Hambira set the indoor NCAA D-II record earlier this year clearing 6-8.75, the freshman’s career best, to date. While his leap Saturday is the top NCAA outdoor mark, Hambira’s effort is second-only all-time outdoors to Zach Ryan’s 6-11 back in 2011. Adding to the Beavers strong opening effort was Kreins who turned in a career-best performances to claim victory in the men’s shot put and the men’s hammer throw on Saturday. Kreins bested the field in the shot put with a throw of 49-8.50, nearly a 5-inch improvement on his previous best. He added a victorious throw of 162-6 in the hammer throw which also was a career best by nearly a foot and a half. Devontae Daley added another of the Beaver victories as he won the men’s 400 meters in 49.28 seconds, a career-best by nearly a half second, and Peyton Tuhy rounded out the wins on the men’s side as he shaved 9 seconds off his fastest time in the 1,500 meters, winning Saturday’s race in 4 minutes, 6.91 seconds.
 
On the ladies side, recently-crowned NSIC Champion, Wride, continued her winning ways as she bested the field in the women’s 1,500 meters on Saturday, winning her first college race at the distance in 4 minutes, 47.99 seconds. She also teamed with Sidra Sadowsky, Macey Moore, and Sydney Wilson as the quartet won the women’s 4×400-meter relay in 4:13.11. Rounding out the winning performances were Summer Krebsbach in the women’s 100-meter dash and Nicole Reeves in the 800 meters. Krebsbach turned in a career-best of 12.62 to win the 100, shaving .07 seconds off her previous best, and Reeves won the 800 in 2:23.15, half a second faster than her previous best.
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UND HOCKEY
 
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (UND) – Top-seeded North Dakota left no doubt in its march to the NCHC Frozen Faceoff on Saturday night, exploding for five goals in the third period to defeat No. 8 seed Miami, 7-1, in front of a sellout crowd at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks. With the victory, UND (26-10-2) advances to the NCHC Frozen Faceoff next weekend at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. for the fourth straight season and ninth time in the 11-year history of the league. The Fighting Hawks will find out their opponent for next Friday’s semifinals after tomorrow’s decisive third games in Colorado Springs and St. Cloud.
 
NoDak once again had a balanced attack in the victory, with seven different players potting a goal and 13 skaters recording at least a point. Jackson Blake tallied his ninth game this season with at least three points with a goal and two assists while Jackson Kunz matched his linemate’s stat line for his first-career game with three points. Blake now moves alone into second place nationally for points with 57 and sits once behind Boston College’s Will Smith for the nation’s lead. The sophomore also now has 99 points in his career, looking to become only the second player in the last 30 years at UND to hit the 100-point mark in just two seasons. Hobie Hedquist once again was stout between the pipes in his second straight start, turning aside a career-best 28 saves on 29 attempts to improve to 5-0-0 in his career.
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TIMBERWOLVES-JAZZ
 
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 31 points despite a twisted ankle, Mike Conley added a season-high 25 points in his return to Utah and the Minnesota Timberwolves topped the struggling Jazz 119-100 on Saturday night. “Somebody’s got to step up every night. It may always look like me, but tonight it was also Mike,” said Edwards, who passed Kevin Love for the most 30-point games in a single season with 26. Edwards stepped on Taylor Hendricks’ foot while driving and turned his right ankle just before halftime. He got up limping and went straight to the locker room. Edwards jumped rope during the break and started the second half, but seemed a bit slower and less explosive. “Just let the game come to you,” Edwards said. “I was forcing it a little bit but in the second half I found Mike Conley, found Naz (Reid) and Nickeil (Alexander-Walker). Then it made it easy for me to score.” Edwards made four 3-pointers, a layup and a circus three-point play in the final two quarters to help Minnesota hold off Utah. The game marked the first time Conley played in Utah since being traded in February 2023 after four seasons with the Jazz. Saturday’s game was his highest scoring output with Minnesota. Naz Reid had 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Wolves.
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WILD-BLUES
 
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jordan Kyrou and Brayden Schenn scored in the shootout, lifting the St. Louis Blues to a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night. Kyrou and Schenn also scored in regulation as St. Louis (35-29-3) earned its third straight win. Jordan Binnington made 22 stops in regulation and OT. The Blues and Wild (33-27-8) are fighting for playoff positioning in the Western Conference, looking to chase down Vegas for the final wild card. The Golden Knights play Sunday afternoon against New Jersey. Kirill Kaprizov had a goal and an assist for Minnesota, which had won five of six. Marco Rossi also scored, and Marc-Andre Fleury made 35 saves through overtime. Robert Thomas and Jake Neighbours came up empty on their shootout attempts for the Blues before Schenn and Kyrou delivered. Matt Boldy scored Minnesota’s only goal in the tiebreaker. Kaprizov has nine goals and four assists during a seven-game point streak. He has 35 goals and 41 assists in 61 games overall. The Wild play Tuesday at Anaheim.
 
 
 

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KHRT Sports – 03/14/24

KHRT SPORTS – THURSDAY – 03/14/24
 

MINOT, ND – The final tournaments of the winter sports season begin today with the Division A and Division Boys Basketball State Tournaments. We’ll broadcast select games on The Heart 106.9 and 1320 KHRT.
 
High School Boys Basketball
Division A
 
State Tournament – FargoDome
 
Quarterfinal
#2 Devils Lake vs #7 Valley City, 1 pm
#3 Grafton vs #6 Beulah, 2:45 pm
#1 Kindred vs #8 Killdeer, 6:30 pm
#4 Des Lacs-Burlington vs #5 Shiloh Christian, 8:15 pm (HEARD ON 1320 AM)
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High School Boys Basketball
Division B
 
State Tournament – Minot State Dome
 
Quarterfinal
#2 Bowman County vs #7 Our Redeemer’s, 1 pm (HEARD ON 106.9 FM)
#3 Westhope-Newburg vs #6 Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier, 2:45 pm (HEARD ON 106.9 FM)
#1 North Star vs #8 LaMoure-Litchville-Marion, 6:30 pm
#4 Bishop Ryan vs #5 Sargent County, 8:15 pm (HEARD ON 106.9 FM)
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MSU WOMENS HOCKEY
 
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO. (MSU) – Absolute pandemonium in St. Louis! A one-second difference from facing a must-win in the loser-out turns into a first-round victory for Minot State women’s hockey. The Beavers made their first appearance of the 2024 ACHA National Tournament in a wild debut versus the University of Michigan. It was do or die for the 4th-seeded Minot State Beavers, who laid it all out on the ice in a 3-2 overtime win over 9th-seeded Michigan. Before the chaos began, it was Minot who got the ice breaker at 6:23 in the first period. That lead would hold for over nine minutes until the Wolverines tied things up at 15:35. Going into the first intermission, the score was even at one. The second period featured a single goal as Michigan took their first lead of the game at the 7:50 mark. Down 2-1 heading into the third, the Beavers had some work to do to avoid being sent to the loser-out round. Period three is when the stakes get high, and Michigan held on for dear life. The Wolverines kept the lead for all of 19:59. Until that little sliver of time and effort for Minot State to capitalize on a scoring chance, they do just that to shock all that were in attendance at the Centene Community Ice Center. 2-2…that is what the scoreboard read just before it hit all zeroes. One more faceoff to officially send it to overtime. In the sudden death frame, a good amount of time would pass for both teams to catch their composure yet still maintain high focus on the task at hand. That was until at 33 seconds of the 16th minute, the Beavers set up a shot and rebound in the slot for the game-winning goal that sent the whole team into a frenzy and into the quarterfinals. Ball game, Beavers win 3-2. Makena Welby was the hero for Minot State as she not only garnered the last-second goal to tie it in regulation, but also the winner in overtime for her first two goals of the 2024 National Tournament. Continuing to build off a good regular season into the postseason was defenseman Aspen Cooper as she scored her first of the tournament early in the opening period. Haylie Biever opened the tournament as the number one option in net for the Beavers. She did her part in giving the team a chance to win with 24 saves on 26 shots. The Beavers picked up their first win over the Michigan Wolverines under MSU Athletics affiliation, counting for both regular and postseason. They advance to the ACHA quarterfinals and will await their next opponent following the results of the loser-out round today.
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UND HOCKEY-HONORS
 
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (UND)– After winning the program’s sixth Penrose Cup as the conference’s regular season champions, North Dakota placed six student-athletes on the NCHC’s all-league teams as announced by the conference on Wednesday afternoon.
 
Jackson Blake headlined the group for UND, earning a unanimous selection to the All-NCHC First Team after a record-breaking sophomore campaign. Blake set the NCHC single-season scoring record with 37 points in conference play, breaking the previous mark of 35 held by UND’s Brock Boeser (2015-16) and Denver’s Bobby Brink (2021-22). He had nine more points than any other forward in NCHC play. The Carolina Hurricanes draft pick led the NCHC with 26 assists in 24 NCHC games, while potting 11 goals, which tied for seventh, including three game-winners. Overall, Blake leads all NCHC players with 52 points, scoring 19 goals and adding 33 assists in 36 games. His 52 points tie for third nationally.
 
Senior goaltender Ludvig Persson earned a spot on the All-NCHC Second Team between the pipes in his first season at North Dakota, starting 23 of the team’s 24 NCHC games and posting a 14-8-1 record. Persson paced the NCHC in both wins (14) and shutouts (3) during league action, while also ranking second in the nation with five total clean sheets. His 2.73 GAA was third in conference play, while he posted an .898 save percentage. Overall, Persson is 21-10-2 in 33 starts this year, with the 21 wins tops in the NCHC. He carries a .906 save percentage on the season, tying for fourth in the NCHC, while his 2.47 GAA is third. Four other Fighting Hawks were named to the All-NCHC Honorable Mention squad, with forwards Cameron Berg and Riese Gaber joining defensemen Jake Livanavage and Garrett Pyke with honors.
 
Voting was conducted by the eight head coaches at each institution and eight media members, one covering each member school. Coaches and media voted for six forwards, four defensemen and two goaltenders, awarding first-team votes for six players (three forwards, two defensemen and one goaltender) and second-team votes for the other six selections. Three points were awarded for a first-team vote while one point was awarded for a second-team vote, with the most points at each position earning the honors. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players, making 15 first-place votes the maximum a player can receive. The NCHC will announce its individual award finalists on Thursday. Individual award winners will be revealed at the NCHC Awards Celebration in Saint Paul, Minn. on Thursday, March 21 on the eve of the 2024 NCHC Frozen Faceoff.
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VIKINGS-FREE AGENCY
 
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms on a new contract with defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard on Wednesday as the NFL signing period opened at the start of the new league year. Bullard was set to become an unrestricted free agent entering his ninth NFL season. The 6-foot-3, 290-pound Bullard, who was a third-round draft pick in 2016 by Chicago, also has played for Arizona, Seattle and Atlanta. He has spent two years with the Vikings, starting 21 of 29 games he’s played in. He had a career-high 44 tackles and two sacks in the 2023 season. The Vikings have revamped their defense by agreeing to terms with edge rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel and inside linebacker Blake Cashman.
 
 

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KHRT Sports – 03/13/24

K-HEART SPORTS – WEDNESDAY – 03/13/24
 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (NDSU) – The North Dakota State women’s basketball team came up short in a back-and-forth battle with top-seeded South Dakota State, falling 67-54 in the championship game of the Summit League Tournament. It was NDSU’s first appearance in the league title game. The loss dropped the Bison to 21-11 on the season. The contest was a defensive battle, featuring seven lead changes and six ties. The Bison held the lead or were tied for the lead for more than half the game. NDSU forced 16 Jackrabbit turnovers, including 13 in the first half alone. The Bison were unable to overcome 33 percent shooting and a 3-for-18 mark from three-point range. SDSU shot 44 percent overall and 47 percent from beyond the arc. The Bison led 37-35 with less than three minutes left in the third quarter, but SDSU scored seven straight to go up five. NDSU fought back to within one at 47-46 when Heaven Hamling hit a three-pointer with 6:30 left in the game. The Jackrabbits scored the next 14 points to take control. Hamling finished with 16 points, six rebounds, and three assists to lead the Bison in all three categories. Elle Evans had 13 points, five rebounds, and two steals for NDSU.
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UND HOCKEY-HONOR
 
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (UND) – Freshman defenseman Jake Livanavage was named to the NCHC All-Rookie Team, as announced by the league office on Tuesday afternoon. The blue liner is one of six representatives on the team, nearly earning unanimous honors with 14 out of 15 first place votes. Livanavage was among the top-scoring defensemen in the NCHC, racking up 18 points in 24 conference games to rank second behind fellow all-rookie member Zeev Buium of Denver among freshman blueliners and fifth among all NCHC D-men. He tallied two goals and dished out 16 assists, which tied for sixth among all NCHC skaters in conference play and second among rookies. Livanavage has 25 points overall this season in 36 games, including 22 assists to tie for ninth among all NCHC players. He has won a trio of NCHC weekly awards this season, including Defenseman of the Week twice, and was the NCHC January Rookie of the Month. On the season, Livanavage has appeared in all 36 games this season with three goals and 22 assists for 25 points. The Phoenix, Ariz., native has potted 22 points over the final 24 contests and his second for the most points by a UND rookie defenseman since 1999-00.
 
Voting was conducted by the eight head coaches at each institution and eight media members, one covering each member school. Coaches and media voted for six forwards, four defensemen and two goaltenders, awarding first-team votes for six players (three forwards, two defensemen and one goaltender) and second team votes for the other six selections. Three points were awarded for a first team vote while one point was awarded for a second-team vote, with the most points at each position earning the honors. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players, making 15 first-place votes (45 points) the maximum a player can receive. The NCHC will announce its All-Conference Teams on Wednesday and its individual award finalists on Thursday. Individual award winners will be announced at the annual NCHC Awards Celebration in Saint Paul, Minn. on Thursday, March 21 on the eve of the 2024 NCHC Frozen Faceoff.
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TIMBERWOLVES-CLIPPERS
 
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 37 points, Nickeil Alexander-Walker added a season-high 28 and the Minnesota Timberwolves roared back from an early 22-point deficit for a 118-100 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night. Kawhi Leonard left the game with back spasms between the first two quarters, the Clippers said. He played the entire first quarter, but he was seen leaving the Clippers’ downtown arena during the second quarter. Mike Conley scored 23 points for the Timberwolves, who avoided their first three-game losing streak of the season with a huge rally following Leonard’s departure. After trailing 57-35 midway through the second quarter in the same building where the Wolves lost to the Lakers two days earlier, Minnesota seized control in the second half and finished the team’s largest comeback since November 2012. Rudy Gobert had eight points and 11 rebounds before leaving the game late with a rib injury. Coach Chris Finch wasn’t sure of the injury’s severity, but he praised Gobert for raising his defensive effort after the Wolves fell far behind, eventually keying their comeback. Paul George scored 22 points and James Harden had 12 for the Clippers, who have lost two straight games for only the second time since Christmas. The Timberwolves play at Utah on Saturday.
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WILD-COYOTES
 
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Kirill Kaprizov scored two goals and assisted on another, and Marc-Andre Fleury made 21 saves as the Minnesota Wild earned their fourth victory in five games, 4-1 over the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday night. Kaprizov scored an empty-netter with 2:32 to play, firing the puck the length of the ice to seal the win. Arizona had pulled goalie Karel Vejmelka with just under three minutes remaining. Ryan Hartman and Marcus Foligno also scored for Minnesota. Foligno’s goal was an empty-netter after Arizona pulled Vejmelka a second time in the final minutes. Nick Bjugstad scored for the Coyotes, who have lost four of five. Kaprizov has 39 points in his last 24 games. The Wild host Anaheim on Thursday night.
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VIKINGS-FREE AGENCY
 
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have their bridge quarterback for the post-Kirk Cousins era and a new ball-carrier who ought to add yet more fuel to their fiercest rivalry. The Vikings stayed aggressive in free agency Tuesday by adding former Green Bay running back Aaron Jones and 2018 third overall draft pick Sam Darnold as a temporary replacement for Cousins. Jones, who was released Monday by the Packers after they landed 2022 All-Pro Josh Jacobs, gets a one-year, $7 million contract, agent Drew Rosenhaus told The Associated Press. Darnold, who played last season for San Francisco, will get a one-year, $10 million deal, a person with knowledge of that contract told the AP. The Vikings also agreed to sign kicker John Parker Romo, according to a second person with knowledge of that deal. Both people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the contracts had not yet been finalized. The signing period opens Wednesday.
 
As Cousins agreed to leave Minnesota for Atlanta on Monday in a busy opening to the NFL’s negotiation window, the Vikings swiftly addressed their defense by agreeing to contracts with edge rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel and inside linebacker Blake Cashman. Then they pivoted to offense. Darnold, who went 13-25 as a starter for the New York Jets after they selected him out of Southern California, was traded to Carolina in 2021. He missed most of the 2022 season with the Panthers due to a sprained ankle, and after becoming a free agent last year, he joined the 49ers to back up Brock Purdy. The 26-year-old Darnold has thrown for 63 touchdowns and 56 interceptions in 66 games with a completion rate of 59.7%. With the Jets, he was a teammate of Josh McCown, who was recently hired as Minnesota’s quarterbacks coach. Darnold becomes the presumptive starter for the Vikings, who still have 2023 fifth-round pick Jaren Hall and veteran Nick Mullens under contract. They almost certainly will draft another quarterback next month, owning the 11th overall pick in the first round and assessing a deep class at the vital position.
 
The deal with Jones was surprising. The Packers initially said they planned to bring him back. He was released instead when a pay cut didn’t work out, and the Vikings swooped in to add a well-regarded player who has enjoyed plenty of success at their expense. The Vikings ranked 29th in the NFL in rushing yards per game and 24th in rushing yards per attempt last season. They released Alexander Mattison last week, but they’re high on the potential of Ty Chandler entering his third year and now have a proven second option for carrying the ball. Though he was limited to 11 games last season because of hamstring and knee injuries, Jones came on strong down the stretch by finishing with five straight 100-yard rushing games, including two in the playoffs. One of those was on Dec. 31 in a blowout win at Minnesota. Jones rushed for 793 yards on 143 carries over his last eight games against the Vikings, an average of 5.5 yards per attempt. In 2022, Jones played in all 17 games and rushed for 1,121 yards. With 8,016 yards from scrimmage in seven seasons, Jones has the sixth most among NFL running backs over that time.
 
Romo went undrafted out of Virginia Tech in 2022 and has had brief stints with Chicago and Detroit. He has not kicked in a regular-season NFL game and spent last season in the XFL. Greg Joseph, who has kicked for the last three years for the Vikings, becomes an unrestricted free agent Wednesday. The Vikings also agreed to terms to bring back free agent wide receiver Brandon Powell and released defensive lineman Dean Lowry, who started four games and finished the season on injured reserve. Lowry was a low-profile free agent addition last year by way of, yes, Green Bay. From Ryan Longwell to Darren Sharper to Brett Favre to Greg Jennings to Za’Darius Smith to now Jones, several high-profile players have gone directly from the Packers to the Vikings over the last two decades. When Jones takes the field in September, he’ll be the 63rd player all-time with action for both the Packers and the Vikings, according to Sportradar.
 
 

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KHRT Sports – 03/12/24

K-HEART SPORTS – TUESDAY – 03/12/24
 

MINOT, ND – The winter sports season for high school sports comes to an end this week with the Division A and Division Boys Basketball State Tournaments. We’ll broadcast select games on The Heart 106.9 and 1320 KHRT.
 
High School Boys Basketball
Division A
 
State Tournament – FargoDome
 
Quarterfinal (Thu 3/14)
#2 Devils Lake vs #7 Valley City, 1 pm
#3 Grafton vs #6 Beulah, 2:45 pm
#1 Kindred vs #8 Killdeer, 6:30 pm
#4 Des Lacs-Burlington vs #5 Shiloh Christian, 8:15 pm (HEARD ON 1320 AM)
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High School Boys Basketball
Division B
 
State Tournament – Minot State Dome
 
Quarterfinal (Thu 3/14)
#2 Bowman County vs #7 Our Redeemer’s, 1 pm (HEARD ON 106.9 FM)
#3 Westhope-Newburg vs #6 Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier, 2:45 pm (HEARD ON 106.9 FM)
#1 North Star vs #8 LaMoure-Litchville-Marion, 6:30 pm
#4 Bishop Ryan vs #5 Sargent County, 8:15 pm (HEARD ON 106.9 FM)
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MINOTAUROS
 
MINOT, ND – The Minot Minotauros swept the Bulls in North Iowa last weekend which clinched home ice for the first round of the playoffs. The win on Saturday also set a franchise single season wins record at 39. The Tauros are off this weekend before returning to play March 22nd and 23rd in Austin. There are only eight games remaining in the regular season for Minot. The Tauros sit atop the NAHL Central Division staandings, nine points ahead of Bismarck.
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MSU VOLLEYBALL-COACH CANDIDATES
 
MINOT, N.D. (MSU) – The search for the newest head volleyball coach at Minot State is winding down and Beaver Athletics wants the public to meet two finalists for the position. Candidates Brandon Crisp and Andrew Cole each will be on the Minot State campus for in-person interviews next week and the Beavers will hold open forums with the public from 2-3 p.m. in the Conference Center on the 3rd floor of the Minot State Student Center. Coach Crisp will be on campus on Tuesday, March 12, and Coach Cole will be on campus Thursday, March 14. The two finalist were selected by an eight-member search committee that included Minot State faculty, staff, student-athletes, and community members.
 
Crisp spent the last two seasons as the head coach for the Lamar Cardinals in Beaumont, Texas, an NCAA Division I team in the Southland Conference. Prior to that, Crisp, who graduated from California Baptist, was head coach at Dallas College Eastfield, a junior college where he was named NJCAA Division III Coach of the Year and a three-time NJCAA District Coach of the Year.
 
Cole currently is the head coach at Westfield University in Irvine, California, and led the Warriors to a share of fifth place in the NAIA’s Cal Pac Conference and a berth in the six-team Cal Pac Conference tournament this past fall. Prior to that, Cole spent two seasons creating the program from scratch at Cerro Coso Community College in Ridgecrest, California. A native of Glendale, Wisconsin, Cole played college volleyball at Ohio State.
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NDSU WOMENS BASKETBALL
 
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (NDSU) – The North Dakota State women’s basketball team built an early 10-point lead and ultimately led for nearly 35 minutes of the game, beating No. 3 seed Oral Roberts 75-66 in the semifinals of the Summit League Tournament on Monday. The No. 2 seed Bison advanced to the first Summit League Tournament championship game in program history, taking on No. 1 seed South Dakota State on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. in Sioux Falls. The game will be broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network. Senior Heaven Hamling and junior Abbie Draper both scored 18 points to lead NDSU, and Hamling matched her career-high with 11 rebounds for a double-double. NDSU freshman Avery Koenen put up 10 points and 10 rebounds for her second double-double of the season. The Bison built a 22-12 lead at the end of the first quarter and held off the Golden Eagles the rest of the way. ORU never cut the margin to less than six points for the remainder of the game. The Bison held Oral Roberts to 36 percent shooting in the contest. NDSU improved to 21-10 on the season.
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VIKINGS-FREE AGENCY
 
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings said goodbye to quarterback Kirk Cousins and quickly began building up their depleted defense as the free agent negotiation window opened Monday in the NFL, agreeing to contracts with edge rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel and inside linebacker Blake Cashman. Greenard will get a four-year, $76 million deal with $42 million guaranteed, his agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed. Cashman will get a three-year, $25.5 million contract, his agency, the Institute For Athletes, announced on social media. Van Ginkel will get a two-year, $20 million deal with $14 million guaranteed, according to a person with knowledge of those terms who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract can’t be finalized until the signing period begins Wednesday. Greenard and Cashman left the Houston Texans. Van Ginkel departed the Miami Dolphins.
 
While Cousins agreed to a new megadeal with the Atlanta Falcons, accelerating the club’s transition to the next franchise quarterback, the Vikings zeroed in on addressing a defense lacking proven players under contract for the new league year after fading down the stretch last season as injuries piled up.
 
The 26-year-old Greenard had a career-best 12 1/2 sacks last season while playing in 15 games, his highest total in four years in the NFL. He was limited to eight games in 2022 because of a calf injury. The 2020 third-round draft pick out of Florida, where he finished his college career after transferring from Louisville, had 23 sacks in 48 games with the Texans. The 6-foot-3, 263-pound Greenard has been an effective run-stopper too, totaling a career-high 52 tackles from his defensive end spot.
 
Van Ginkel was a fifth-round draft pick out of Wisconsin by the Dolphins in 2019, when current Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores began a three-season stint as head coach there. The 28-year-old has not missed a game in the past four seasons and had a career-high six sacks in 2023 from his outside linebacker spot.
 
The 27-year-old Cashman, a native of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, who starred locally in college for the Gophers, had a breakout season for the Texans with 104 tackles, five passes defensed and nine tackles for loss after starting 13 games. Drafted in the fifth round in 2019 by the New York Jets, Cashman was traded to the Texas in 2022.
 
The agreements likely mean the departure of Vikings star Danielle Hunter, who will become a free agent and is bound to command a hefty contract. Fellow edge rusher D.J. Wonnum and inside linebacker Jordan Hicks will both become free agents, too, and are unlikely to return. Another edge rusher Marcus Davenport, a key signing in 2023 who missed all but four games because of an ankle injury, will also be a free agent with his return uncertain.
 
The Vikings mostly thrived under Flores, but his strategies weren’t as effective late as injury absences for Hicks, Davenport, Wonnum and cornerback Byron Murphy loomed large down the stretch. The Vikings allowed an average of 30 points over a four-game losing streak to finish the season.
 
The Vikings also re-signed restricted free agent guard Blake Brandel and unrestricted free agent tackle David Quessenberry on Monday to maintain some depth along the offensive line. Brandel has started five games in three seasons after a year on the practice squad. Quessenberry joined the team at the end of training camp last season and started four games.
 
The flurry of a start to free agency Monday left quarterback as the most obvious position to address, with the Vikings almost certain to not only sign a cap-friendly veteran with starting experience but also use a high draft pick on a rookie next month. Defensive back is another position that’s sure to get some reinforcement. Last month, the Vikings re-signed safety Theo Jackson for depth there, with the return uncertain for veteran Harrison Smith. Cam Bynum has become a reliable young starter at the other safety spot, but beyond Murphy there isn’t much to lean on at cornerback. Akayleb Evans struggled down the stretch. Mekhi Blackmon had a decent rookie year. But Andrew Booth has done little to secure a spot since his inclusion in a 2022 draft class that has not panned out well for the Vikings.
 
 

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KHRT Sports – 03/10/24

K-HEART SPORTS – SUNDAY – 03/10/24
 

MINOT, ND – State Qualifier games for Division A and Division B boys basketball were held Saturday.
 
High School Boys Basketball
 
Division A State Qualifier – New Town Event Center
R4#3 Killdeer def. R3#2 Stanley, 61-59
R4#2 Beulah def. R3#3 Bottineau, 68-41
 
Division B State Qualifier – New Town Event Center
R4#3 Our Redeemer’s def. R3#2 Garrison, 57-40
R4#3 Bishop Ryan def. R3#3 Washburn, 58-37
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MINOT, ND – First time champions were crowned at the Division AA Girls and Boys State Basketball Tournament.
 
High School Girls Basketball
Division AA
 
State Tournament – Bismarck Event Center
 
5th Place
E2 West Fargo Horace def. W2 Bismarck Legacy, 66-59
3rd Place
E1 Grand Forks Red River def. W1 Minot High, 78-50
Championship
E3 Fargo Davies def. W3 Bismarck High, 64-55
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High School Boys Basketball
Division AA
 
State Tournament – Bismarck Event Center
 
5th Place
W2 Bismarck High def. W3 Bismarck Century, 70-61
3rd Place
E1 Fargo Davies def. W1 Minot High, 70-65 OT
Championship
E3 West Fargo Sheyenne def. E2 Fargo North, 78-62
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MINOTAUROS
 
MINOT, ND – The Minot Minotauros recorded a shutout 3-0 win on Saturday to sweep the two games at North Iowa this weekend. Trevor Stachowiak notched two goals and Adam Mahler added another for Minot as Lukas Swedin stopped all 16 shots he faced. The Bulls spent 110 minutes in the penalty box on 16 incidents. With Bismarck also winning, the lead for the Tauros in the NAHL Central Division remains at 9 points.
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MSU BASEBALL
 
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (MSU) – Minot State’s Craig Schmich dominated on the hill in the opener leading Minot State to a 7-2 victory over Winona State. The Beavers then used a clutch rally in the bottom of the seventh in the nightcap to fend off the Warriors for an 8-6 win and a sweep of the teams’ neutral-site NSIC doubleheader at the Sanford Sports Complex on Saturday. The two teams meet for a final game in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at noon today.
 
In the opener, Schmich (1-3) cruised to the complete-game, seven-inning win as he struck out seven and allowed just one earned run in the Warriors two-run opening at-bat. After that, Minot State (7-10 overall, 4-3 NSIC) settled in behind their pitcher, not allowing another run and tacking on four of its own in the third inning to take the lead, and three more in the bottom of the fifth to help ice the win. Ricky Apodaca and Mark Ossanna were the offensive heroes for the Beavers as Apodaca went 2-for-2 with 2 RBIs in the win and Ossanna was 3-for-4 with an RBI for Minot State.
 
The Beavers carried the game-one momentum into the nightcap and plated four in the first and another run in the second, but Winona State (3-10, 0-3) chipped away with two in the sixth and four in the seventh to tie the game, 6-6. It didn’t stay tied long, though, as a Brent Riddle base knock broke the tie in a two-run bottom of the seventh inning rally for the Beavers, who then held on for the sweep. Riddle finished 3-for-4 with two triples and four RBIs in the win while Apodaca continued to bash the baseball, going 3-for-4 in the nightcap. Brian Parry added two hits and Noah Madas drove in two runs, while Cameron Bagshaw (2-0) earned the win pitching 1 1/3 innings in relief with one strikeout and Devin Marton pitched a scoreless ninth with two Ks for his first save. Jonah Prokott added six strong innings as he struck out seven starting the second game, but he did not figure into the decision.
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UND HOCKEY
 
OMAHA, Neb. (UND) – No. 16/17 Omaha built a 3-0 lead early in the second period and never looked back to complete a weekend sweep over No. 3 North Dakota, 4-1, on Saturday night from Baxter Arena in Omaha, Neb. UND (24-10-2, 15-8-1 NCHC) will enter the NCHC Quarterfinals as the No. 1 seed and will host Miami in the best-of-three opening round. The Fighting Hawks also remained at No. 3 in the Pairwise Rankings at the conclusion of the weekend, placing them in position to earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Jayden Perron scored the lone goal of the evening for NoDak, sniping home his 11th of the season on a great feed from Jackson Blake during a 5-on-3 power play to give the sophomore his 52nd point of the season and 94th of his career. Omaha’s Seth Eisele, who made the unexpected start due to a late scratch to Simon Latkoczy, put together a strong performance with 38 saves on 39 shots against to give the Mavericks their first sweep over North Dakota in program history. The Mavericks jumped out to an early lead, striking at the tail end of a power play just under four minutes into the contest before extending the advantage to 2-0 with a goal in the final two minutes of the stanza. UND started to carry the play in the second period, but Omaha extended its lead to 3-0 just 79 seconds into the frame on a shot through traffic. Perron trimmed the advantage to 3-1 with a rocket on the power play, but UND could not cut into the lead any further despite holding a 16-8 shot advantage in the second. NoDak kept up the pressure in the final 20 minutes, but Omaha sealed the 4-1 victory with an empty netter to put the finishing touches on a weekend sweep. North Dakota will open the NCHC Quarterfinals against Miami on Friday night at 7:07 p.m. from Ralph Engelstad Arena.
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NDSU WOMENS BASKETBALL
 
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (NDSU) – Senior Heaven Hamling scored a season-high 25 points to lead the North Dakota State women’s basketball team to a 72-60 quarterfinal victory over Denver in the Summit League Tournament on Saturday afternoon. Hamling scored 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting, making 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Abbie Draper finished with 16 points and seven rebounds for the Bison. Freshman Avery Koenen pulled down 10 rebounds for her fifth game this season with double-digit boards. Abby Schulte recorded five assists and three steals. The Bison led 39-28 at halftime and scored the first bucket of the second half to go ahead by 13. Denver battled back to pull within four at 53-49 with 2:00 left in the third quarter. NDSU rattled off an 11-0 run to take control, scoring the final seven of the third quarter and the first four points of the fourth to go up 64-49. NDSU shot 46 percent for the game and limited the Pioneers to 36-percent shooting. NDSU improved to 20-10 on the season, reaching the 20-win mark for the first time since the 2004-05 season. The Bison advance to the semifinals to face either No. 3 seed Oral Roberts or No. 6 seed North Dakota on Monday at 3 p.m. The game will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.
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VIKINGS-MUNDT
 
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings and tight end Johnny Mundt agreed to terms Friday on a new contract, securing some depth at the position with T.J. Hockenson recovering from reconstructive knee surgery. Mundt was set to become an unrestricted free agent next week. The seventh-year veteran has been with the Vikings the last two seasons, after five years with the Los Angeles Rams. He played in all 17 games last season, posting a career-high 172 receiving yards on 17 catches. The Vikings earlier this week re-signed tight end Nick Muse, who was set to become an exclusive rights free agent. Also under contract is Josh Oliver, who was the blocking-oriented No. 2 tight end behind Hockenson, who tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee in Minnesota’s loss to Detroit on Dec. 24. Hockenson had surgery on Jan. 29 and will more than likely miss the start of the regular season.
 
 

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