The Beresford Watchdog boys basketball team placed second at this year’s Big East Conference Tournament. The tournament was shortened to two days, with teams playing two games each on Saturday, January 7th, due to snow storm cancellations on Thursday, January 5th.
Beresford 56, Chester 34
The first game of the conference tournament was played on Friday, January 6th in Beresford. The Watchdogs defeated the Chester Flyers 56-34. Beresford slowly increased their lead throughout the game. The Watchdogs led 12-7 after the first quarter and then extended the lead to 25-15 by halftime. The big jump came in the third quarter. Beresford pushed the lead to 37-20 by the end of the third.
Tate VanOtterloo finished with 21 points. Aiden Hamm and Andrew Atwood both ended with nine points in the game. Jake Goblirsch added six points.
Beresford 59, McCook Central/Montrose 51
In the semifinals and first game of the day on Saturday, January 7th, the Watchdogs held off the McCook Central/Montrose Fighting Cougars 59-51 to advance the championship game. The Watchdogs led 16-10 at the end of the first quarter and led 32-24 at halftime. Beresford pushed the lead to a game-high 13 points in the third quarter, but the Cougars were able to cut the lead down to 42-36 heading into the the final quarter. Beresford was able to outscore McCook Central/Montrose 17-15 in the final quarter for the win.
Beresford shot 45% (24-53) from the field, 25% (4-16) from three-point area, and 41% (7-17) from the free-throw line. McCook Central/Montrose shot 33% (17-52) overall, 37% (7-19) from three-point area, and 71% (10-14) from the free-throw line.
Hamm had a game-high 15 points along with three rebounds. VanOtterloo had 11 points and four rebounds. Atwood added eight points and five rebounds. Mason Heiberger also had eight points and three rebounds. Goblirsch had seven points and eight rebounds.
Sioux Valley 77, Beresford 45
In the championship game, the Cossacks built a 23-4 lead in the first quarter and never looked back in their 77-45 win. Sioux Valley led 53-20 at halftime and 70-31 at the end of the third quarter.
Beresford shot 38% (17-47) from the field overall, 31% (4-13) from three-point area, and 50% (5-10) from the free-throw line. Sioux Valley was 48% (29-60) from the field, 34% (11-32) from three-point area, and 67% (8-12) from the free-throw line.
Malachi James had 15 points to lead the Watchdogs. Hamm had nine points and three steals. Michael Shegrud added seven points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
