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DICKINSON — Before a packed home crowd, and his 101-year-old grandfather in attendance, Alex Dvorak, Dickinson's All-State point guard, broke the program's single game scoring record with 58 points in a 109-72 blowout win against Watford City. The achievement was a personal goal of the stand-out senior, who had eyed the record which had been in place for several years.
Dvorak got off to a quick start, scoring 30 points in the first half. He said, "I was confident. I talked to all my teammates and they all wanted to help me to achieve that goal, so we worked on that today and I am happy we got it done, it was fun. My grandpa has been in and out of the hospital, but he made it today… I just wanted to put on a show for him."
The six-foot-one senior shot 50% from the field, going 8-for-16 from three-point range, and 16-for-20 from the free-throw line, certainly stealing the show. He also led his team in assists with five and his 12 rebounds was a game high and garnered him a double-double. His best friend and teammate, Tyrese Annace, was ecstatic for Dvorak, immediately rushing him after the record-breaking three was scored as head coach Dan Glasser called a timeout.
“[Alex] has been my brother since fifth grade and to see him accomplish this goal is a blessing and it is very touching to my heart," Annace said. “It is touching to everybody. To see him do this, where he has come from and all the ups and downs we've been through together.”
Once the record was broken, with six minutes remaining, Glasser put in the reserve to finish the game.
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The win was a true team effort, courtesy of the team’s field goal percentage of 61.6 % and going 82.8 % from the charity stripe. Dvorak’s teammates fed him the ball well to help reach the achievement and ended up accumulating 25 assists, excusing Dvorak’s five. Boston Cranston, Damon Glasser and Dante Oyugi, each tallied three assists on the night. Damon Glasser also collected six boards, leading second for the Midgets, followed by Isaac Schulte and Drew Biel with five and four respectively.
Kyler Kudrna, scoring 10 points, was the only other DHS player to earn double digits. The Wolves would have five players; Jehneim Samuel (12), Landon Caldwell (11), Derek Holen (10), Leo Predonzan (10) and Colton Ewing (10). Samuel led Watford City with a double-double, with 12 points and 10 boards.
Though the wide margin defeat keeps Watford City in last place in the Western Dakota Association (WDA) standings, the Wolves had solid all-around team statistics, with an effective field goal percentage of 46.8% and collecting three more stolen balls than the Midgets had.
After the game, Dvorak was presented with the game ball and remained in the gymnasium long after the final buzzer, taking photos with family and friends to mark the special occasion.
As the season enters its second half, teammates said that the accomplishment will keep team spirits high and they continue through a very competitive West Region schedule. Dvorak noted that while the personal accomplishment is one that he has long sought, his attention remains as it always has – on winning.
“It's nice to have this goal, but again just like my 1000 points, you just gotta keep moving. We got some big games coming up and the season is starting to crack down to the end," Dvorak said. “Teams are getting tougher and teams are getting their guys together and making solid teams.”
