Midgets shock No. 4 Mandan

To say this season has not gone according to plan for the Dickinson High girls basketball team would be an understatement.

On Tuesday night, however, the Midgets showed their true colors and sent the team's six seniors out with a victory in their final home game.

The Midgets knocked off No. 4-ranked Mandan 60-51 at the Dickinson High School gymnasium.

"It feels amazing," Dickinson senior guard Ally Hoffman said. "It's a big win on a big night."

Behind senior Jess Herauf and her game high's of 15 points and 12 rebounds, the Midgets never trailed in the second half.

They only allowed the Braves to tie the game at 50-50 with less than 3 minutes left.

"Give Dickinson all the credit in the world," Mandan head coach Len Stanley said. "They played with more energy tonight."

At times, both teams played with too much energy, as traveling calls and double-dribble violations were called frequently.

"I think it's just the kids are trying to go fast ... and they play outside of themselves," Stanley said.

Steph Pederson scored a team-high 12 points for the Braves and Michaela Longtin added 11 before fouling out early in the second half on a technical foul.

The Midgets (4-15, 4-12 West) who claimed the No. 7 seed in the West Region tournament with the victory, had to do so with two of their seniors on the bench in the closing minutes.

Herauf and Katie Hewson both had their nights cut short after fouling out in the second half.

"Katie and Jess both played a nice game," Dickinson head Dan Pender said. "Katie played a complete game and Jess was just Jess."

Sophomore Ali Moody chipped in 10 points for the Midgets and junior Leslie Beaudoin added seven, none of which was bigger than her 3-pointer with 2:10 remaining in the second half that put the Midgets up for good, 53-50.

"It was a great team effort," Pender said. "I am just really proud of how they responded tonight."

Despite the loss, Mandan (14-5, 13-3) is still at the top of the West Region standings and awaits the result of Thursday's game between Bismarck Century and Bismarck High to see if it will be the No. 1 or 2 seed in the region tournament.

If Century loses, Mandan will have the No. 1 seed. If Century wins, it will be the top seed.

With its win, Dickinson stayed out of the West Region play-in game, which is exactly what the team wanted.

"I think it is a lot less pressure now," Hoffman said. "We go in with more confidence ... and we're all jacked about it."

M: Steph Pederson 12, Michaela Longtin 11, Elizabeth Meyer 6, Courtney Goetz 5, Amber Riopelle 5, Anna Helmers 4, McKayla Howling Wolf 3, Jaelyn Russel 3, Lexi Goldade 1, Makenzie Schmidt 1

D: Jess Herauf 15, Katie Hewson 11, Ally Hoffmann 11, Ali Moody 10, Leslie Beaudoin 7, Taylor Cooper 4, Stormie Sickler 2.

Halftime: D 27-21. 3-pointers: M 5 (Goetz, Longtin, Howling Wolf, Helmers, Pederson), D 1 (Beaudoin). Free throws: M 16-32, D 23-31. Total fouls: M 20, D 21. Fouled out: Longtin, Pederson, Meyer, Herauf, Hewson. Technical fouls: Longtin. Rebounds: M 52 (Riopelle 7), D 58 (Herauf 12). Assists: M 10 (Goldade 2, Goetz 2, Riopelle 2), D 14 (Paige Biederstedt 6). Steals: M 10 (Helmers 4), D 6 (Biederstedt 3). Blocks: M 1 (Goldade), D 3 (Hewson 2). Turnovers: M 14, D 24.