Wildcats Run Past Chinook 74-67, Fall to Wolf Point 70-67 on the Road
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Harlem senior Amari Stanley glides to the basket for a first quarter basket against the Sugarbeeters this past Friday night.
The Harlem Wildcats have battled the injury bug for much of the season and were looking to get a few key players back when they took the court in the new year for the first time. The Chinook Sugarbeeters were in town Friday night for a non-conference clash between two rivals. The Wildcats took control early and then maintained a comfortable cushion in securing a 74-67 win. Saturday Harlem fell just short in suffering a 70-67 road lost to District 2B foe Wolf Point.
Friday night against the Sugarbeeters the Wildcats were looking to set the tone early and they did just that. Senior Teagan LeValdo torched the nets for a couple of three balls and 12 points in an explosive first quarter for the Wildcats.
Senior RJ Ramone, senior Tyler Cichosz and junior Marley Stewart each scored six in the opening quarter to power the Wildcats to a 27-13 lead heading into the second quarter of action.
The Wildcats kept their foot on the gas in the second with Ramone draining a pair from distance and scoring ten before the break to give Harlem a 49-24 halftime lead.
The Sugarbeeters found their footing a bit in the third quarter. Senior Oskar Pula scored eight points and the Chinook scored 20 in the quarter. The Wildcats got long balls from sophomore Tommy Champagne, Ramone and Cichosz to keep up the attack, giving Harlem a 67-44 lead entering the fourth quarter of play.
The Sugarbeeters have played hard, start to finish all season long, and Friday night was no exception. Sophomore Jackson Nordboe scored eight points down the stretch, junior Brendan Fetter scored five as did senior Toby Niederegger in a big fourth quarter for the 'Beeters.
Chinook outscored the Wildcats 23-7 in the fourth quarter but it was to little to late as the Wildcats picked up a 74-67 non-conference win over the Sugarbeeters
Ramone paced the attack for the Wildcats with 23 points in the win. Cichosz scored 15 for Harlem in his return and LeValdo added 12, all in the first quarter. The Sugarbeeters were led by Pula with 18, Nordboe added 17 and Fetter tallied 13.
The Wildcats resumed District 2B play on Saturday with a road contest against the Wolf Point Wolves. Both teams figure to be in the mix come tournament time adding to the games importance.
The Wildcats got five points apiece from senior Amari Stanley and junior Marley Stewart in a fast paced first quarter. The Wildcats trailed however, 19-17 after eight minutes of action.
The second quarter was a track meet with both teams answering the other with a made basket.
Ramone continued his hot hand from beyond the arc with a triple and seven points in the frame to keep the Wildcats close. LeValdo added eight points before the half as Harlem trimmed the Wolves lead to one, 38-37.
Senior Tyler Cichosz made his return to the Wildcat lineup against Chinook, scoring 15 points in their 74-67 non-conference win.
The Wolves caught fire from distance in the third quarter, knocking down six three pointers to put together a big quarter. LeValdo drained a bucket from beyond the three-point line to stem the tide but the Wolves took a 62-49 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Wildcats ratcheted up the defensive effort down the stretch, limiting the high scoring Wolves to just eight points. Ramone connected from long range and score 11 fourth quarter points to bring the Wildcats back. Wolf Point made just enough plays in the waning minutes to hand the Wildcats a tough 70-67 loss.
Ramone led the way with 24 points in the contest. LeValdo added 16 for Harlem in the loss.
The Wildcats will be on the road Friday to take on the Glasgow Scotties on Friday and will return home Saturday to face the Box Elder Bears.
