“WDC took the lead to start the game, but we played an outstanding half of basketball and took a lead at the half of 41-34,” reported Barnesville Head Coach Matt Askegaard. “We trailed by as many as 13 in the first half, but our ball movement and spacing on offense was the best I have seen all year.  WDC was able to keep pace as they have some nice pieces on their team. In the second half we extended our lead to as many as 13, but WDC would go on a run to tie the game, eventually take the lead and not give it up.”

Barnesville shot 42.4% (28-66) and just 20.7% (6-29) on 3’s.  They were led by Gannon Bolgrean (12 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists), Ethan Larson (11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists), Grant Quiggle (11 points, 3 rebounds) and Nick Robideau (10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals).  Isaiah Zajac added 8 points and 7 boards and Brady Nosal also scored 8 points.

“I didn't think we executed on the defensive end as well as we should have in the 2nd half,” stated Coach Askegaard. “We allowed their shooters to step into a couple of uncontested 3s in transition and they were hot as they shot close to 60% from three.  Offensively the ball 'stuck' a little bit more than the first half and they made us really work to score the ball. Our effort was outstanding and I thought we played well, but it just wasn't our night.”

Teshe Loer led Wadena-Deer Creek with 25 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists.  Peyton Church added 21 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, and Kobe Snyder finished with 16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.  Nathan Peterson and Lyrik Haug contributed 9 and 8 points, respectively.