Hornet girls outlast MLS

Breanna Heilman connected on a field goal and Braylee Keller drained two free throws with 10 seconds remaining, helping lift the Harvey-Wells County Hornets to a 44-40 victory over Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood Friday, January 12, in Fessenden.

The Hornets and Mavericks played a tight first quarter, with MLS getting the fast 4-0 start. Four different HWC players scored in the first but it was Rilynn Beck's four points that gave the Mavericks the 10-8 edge after eight minutes.

HWC took their first lead of the night at 13-12 on a Keller steal and layup. A basket by Jamie Thompson helped MLS regain the lead, but a three from Rachel Neumiller gave the Hornets a 18-17 lead at halftime.

The Hornets used a 7-0 run early in the third to take an eight-point lead. Rylee Jones and Addisyn Faul connected on field goals, and Neumiller hit her second trey, moving the HWC lead to 26-18. Neumiller was later fouled on a three-point attempt, and sank three straight free throws to move the lead to nine. Four straight from Thompson and a three from Jasmine Undlin for the Mavericks cut the Hornet lead to 31-29, but Heilman's three near the third quarter buzzer bumped the score back to 34-29.

The Mavericks came with a load of steam in the fourth. Field goals from Neala Klockstad and Thompson were followed by Undlin's second three, and MLS regained the lead at 38-37 with 1:50 remaining. HWC responded with a Neumiller deuce and she followed that going 1-of-2 from the line, giving the Hornets a 40-38 lead. Eighth grader Archer Ackerson's field goal tied the game at 40 with one minute to play. The Hornets had a couple of chances to seal the deal from the free throw line in the fourth, but a 2-of-8 effort didn't do it. Heilman's field goal gave the Hornets a two-point advantage with 10 seconds remaining. Braylee Keller followed that up making the final two free throws for HWC and sealed the 44-40 victory.

The Hornets were led in scoring on the night by Neumiller with 14 and Heilman with 11. HWC, which usually is a strong free throw shooting team, struggled from the line, making 9-of-18 for 50%. Ball control remains a point of concern, as HWC had 26 turnovers.

The Mavericks were led by Thompson with 14. The senior fouled out at the 2:26 mark of the fourth.

With the win, HWC moves to 3-10 overall and 2-5 in District 8, while MLS drops to 6-7 overall and 2-5 in district competition.

District 8 Girls Basketball

HWC 44,

Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood 40

at Fessenden

MLS 10 7 12 11 40

HWC 8 10 16 10 44

HWC: Rachel Neumiller 14, Breanna Heilman 11, Braylee Keller 8, Addisyn Faul 6, Rylee Jones 3, Brooklyn Dockter 2.

MLS: Jamie Thompson 14, Archer Ackerson 7, Rilynn Beck 7, Keala Klockstad 6, Jasmine Undlin 6.

HWC Additional Stats

Rebounds: Heilman 7, Jones and Keller 6, Neumiller 4, Dockter and Faul 2, Maci Reutter and Mac-Kenzie Sagert 1.

Assists: Heilman 2, Faul, Jones, Keller and Neumiller 1.

Steals: Keller 3, Faul and Neumiller 2, Heilman and Jones 1.

Blocks: Keller 1.