M-P-B takes 7th at State B

Warwick came tantalizingly close to pulling off one of the largest upsets in the history of Class B basketball in the first round in Bismarck, even though the score didn't show it.

A 58-43 loss to eventual champion Central Cass featured the heavy underdog Warriors leading going into the fourth quarter, and tied or within one possession well into the final eight minutes.

So, in the seventh place game, the Thunder decided not to let Warwick's shooting and transition game take hold, and led pretty much from start to finish to take a 68-51 win and bring home seventh place Saturday afternoon, March 18.

"We knew that we had to play good defense, and keep them from getting out and running on us," Coach Bob Young said. "The boys and I wanted to do better than the day before [against PL-BC] on the defensive end, and I was happy we did that."

Josh Moser put the finishing touches on a great tenure with the Thunder by putting up 29 points, eight rebounds (along with Gage Magstadt) and three assists. In his years of varsity going back to seventh grade, Moser has been a mainstay for the M-P-B program, and has been there through all the highs and lows.

"I was happy for him to end his career with two really big games at the state tournament," said Young. "He deserved it."

Junior forward Rylen Wick will be one of the top returning players in the new Division B, and had another solid finale with 21 points, including four three-pointers.

Senior Mark Fassett's 17 points, three steals and two assists led Warwick (19-9), still winless all-time at the State B Tournament at 0-9 including previous appearances in 1989 and 1996. Elijah Feather and Dalton Joramo each scored in double figures with 10, and Jason Lenoir had six rebounds and three blocks.

Looking back, Young said the 2022-23 season for M-P-B will be one to remember.

"This team put in so much hard work, and really grew and came together as the season went along," he said. "We created so many memories that will last forever, and I couldn't be more proud of my team, the coaches, and our communities."

"The next challenge for us is to be able to follow it up," said Young. "Things are changing with the three classes, so we'll have to be ready."

Central Cass defeated Shiloh Christian, 61-44, to win the boys' State B title and become just the second Class B school to win both the girls' and boys' crowns in one calendar year since Bishop Ryan in 1993-94.

State Class B Boys' Basketball

Tournament, Bismarck

Seventh Place

M-P-B 68, Warwick 51

Warwick 7 13 16 15 51

M-P-B 20 14 19 15 68

M-P-B: Josh Moser 29, Rylen Wick 21, Gage Magstadt 10, Adam McClellan 4, Jared Moser 2, Sawyer Wanzek 2. Totals: 24-55 FG, 13-17 FT, 5 fouls. Three-pointers: Wick 4, Jo. Moser 3.

Warwick: Mark Fassett 17, Elijah Feather 10, Dalton Joramo 10, Marcus Joramo 4, Jason Lenoir 4, Dorvan McKay 4, Kelsin Cavanaugh 2. Totals: 22-49 FG, 3-4 FT, 12 fouls. Three-pointers: Fassett 2, Feather 2.

M-P-B Additional Stats

Rebounds: Magstadt and Jo. Moser 8, Wanzek 7, McClellan and Wick 4, Roper Foerderer and Mark Thomas 1.

Assists: Jo. Moser 3, Wanzek and Wick 2, Magstadt and McClellan 1.

Steals: Magstadt and Wanzek 2, Jo. Moser, McClellan, Thomas and Wick 1.

Blocks: McClellan 1.

Warwick Additional Stats

Rebounds: Lenoir 6, Feather and M. Joramo 4, McKay 2, Cavanaugh, Fassett, D. Joramo and Randal Pearson 1.

Assists: Fassett 2, Feather and D. Joramo 1.

Steals: Fassett 3, Feather and D. Joramo 2, M. Joramo, Lenoir and McKay 1.

Blocks: Lenoir 3, M. Joramo 2.

State Class B All-Tournament Team

Beulah: Trace Beauchamp

Central Cass: Cole Holzer, Sam Kobbervig

Des Lacs-Burlington: Carson Yale

M-P-B: Josh Moser

Shiloh Christian: Kyler Klein, Jay Wanzek

Thompson: Drew Overby, Jakob Starcevic

Warwick: Mark Fassett

Most Valuable Player

Sam Kobbervig, Central Cass

Class B Senior Athlete of the Year

Ayden Stainbrook, North Border

Class B Coach of the Year

Jeremy Brandt, Beulah