Despite the basketball season only just beginning, due to the winter break, here is a brief update on each of the teams in the Western Region.
Western Region
Dickinson High
The Midgets have only played two games, but have been unable to find their rhythm just yet with the loss of several seniors. The Midgets are currently in ninth place with an 0-2 record. The team lost it first game of the season on Dec. 15 against Watford City 69-39, followed by a 83-51 loss to Bismarck Legacy. The Midgets hope to bounce back on Jan. 2 when it returns to its home court to take on Williston High.
Class B Region 7
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1. Beulah (2-0 region, 4-1 overall)
The Miners had a strong start to the season with a 4-0 win streak but has recently hit a slight skid. The team earned its first victory of the season 60-51 over Beach followed by a 37-35 win over Bowman County, a 49-43 win over Hettinger-Scranton and a 56-49 win over Heart River. However, the team fell to Garrison High 55-50 in its most recent game. The team hopes to bounce back on Jan. 2 at home against Williston.
2. Trinity (2-0 region, 2-1 overall)
The Titans were projected to be one of the top teams in the region this season and has so far lived up to the hype. The Titans started the season with a solid 58-38 win over Beach but then fell 49-39 to Shiloh Christian. However, the team bounced back the next day to take a heavy 81-34 win over Richardton-Taylor. The Titans hope to continue its winning ways at home on Dec. 29 against Wilton-Wing.
3. Bowman County (1-1 region, 3-1 overall)
Despite losing the first game of the season, the Bulldogs have rebounded and have been on a solid three-game win streak. The Bulldogs were in a very close battle against the Miners to start the season but just fell 37-35. From there, the team rebounded with a solid 56-25 win over Richardton-Taylor followed by a 52-32 win over Stanley and a 61-33 win over New England. The team hopes to continue its success on Dec. 30 at home against Hazen.
4. Glen Ullin/Hebron (3-1)
The Bearcats were projected to be in the lower-mid teams at the end of the season. However, they have started the season looking like one of the top teams. The Bearcats started the season with a solid 49-36 win over Washburn High, followed by a 48-32 win over Center-Stanton. However, the team hit a wall with a narrow 39-36 loss to Beach, but rebounded with a 53-47 win over Grant County. The team hopes to continue its success in its next road game on Dec. 29 against New Salem-Almont.
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5. Hettinger-Scranton (4-1)
The back-to-back defending region champions have shown to be once again one of the stronger teams in the region. The team started the season off with a 58-13 victory over Richardton-Taylor, followed by a 57-33 win over Grant County. However, the team fell in a heated battle against Beulah 49-43 but rebounded with back-to-back wins. The first being a 61-20 win over Killdeer, the second being a 56-27 win over Mott-Regent. The Night Hawks look to continue their success on Dec. 29 on the road against Lemmon.
6. Heart River (2-2)
Despite winning its first two games of the season, the Cougars have suffered two consecutive losses. The Cougars started the season strong with a 58-32 win over New England followed by a 44-34 win over Killdeer. However, Heart River saw two back-to-back losses since, losing to Beulah 56-49 and Center-Stanton 49-38. The team will hope to return to its winning ways on Dec. 29 on the road against Richardton-Taylor.
7. Killdeer (1-3)
After winning its first game of the season, the Cowboys have not been able to continue its success. Losing three straight games. Killdeer started the season off strong with a close 52-46 win over Stanley High but was unable to continue its success. Following the win over Stanley, the team lost to Heart River 44-34, Hettinger-Scranton 61-20, and Washburn 56-50. The Cowboys now look to snap its losing streak on the road on Dec. 29 against Grant County.
8. Hazen (0-4)
Hazen hoped to find success early in the season, but has struggled out of the gates in the new campaign. The team lost its first game of the season 44-39 to Central McLean followed by a 37-27 loss to Bishop Ryan. Against Des Lacs-Burlington the team fell 60-41 and lost its most recent game of the season to Garrison 48-40. The team hopes to find its first win of the season on Dec. 30 on the road against Bowman County.
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9. New England (0-1 region, 1-4 overall)
The Tigers may not have had the amount of success it would have liked, but it was able to find its way into the win column to start the season. The team was dealt a 58-32 against Heart River to start the season followed by a close 50-43 loss to Stanley High. Against Richardton-Taylor, the Tigers were able to notch a 59-53 victory but was unable to capitalize on the success with a 78-48 loss to Lemmon and a 61-33 loss to Bowman County. New England will get its next opportunity at a win on the road against Central McLean on Jan. 4.
10. Mott-Regent (0-1 region, 0-3 overall)
The Wildfire are cold to start the season but have shown signs of heating up. The team started with a very close 52-49 loss at home against Center-Stanton, followed by a 56-44 loss to Grant County a few days later. In its most recent game against Hettinger-Scranton, the Wildfire lost 56-27. The team will return from its Christmas break on Jan. 2 on the road against Hazen.
11. Richardton-Taylor (0-1 region, 0-5 overall)
The Raiders have struggled to start the season, playing three of its first four games on the road against tough competitors, but have been in some close contests in its first few games. Despite starting the season with a 58-13 loss to Hettinger-Scranton and a 56-25 loss to Bowman County, the team had a 44-32 loss to New Salem-Almont. From there, the team battled hard against New England, but just fell short 59-53. From there, the team traveled to Trinity and fell 81-34. The team will look to get in the winning column at home against Heart River on Dec. 29.
12. Beach (0-2 region, 2-2 overall)
After being one of the best teams last season and being projected to finish third in the conference, the Buccaneers are currently trying to find its rhythm with the loss of such key players that graduated last season but has recently found its stride. The Buccaneers started off with a 60-51 loss to Beulah to start the season followed by a 58-38 loss to Dickinson Trinity. Following the back-to-back losses, the team has recorded back-to-back wins, the first being a close 39-36 win against Glen Ullin/Hebron followed by a nail-biting 55-54 win over Divide County. The Buccaneers return to action on Dec. 30 against Linton/HMB Lions.
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Stay tuned throughout the season for more scores and updates on your favorite teams.
