WILLISTON -- The Williston wasn't about to let this one get away.
The Coyotes got a 34-point, 13-rebound performance from all-state center Brent Qvale on their way to an 84-72 win in West Region boys basketball Thursday at Phil Jackson Fieldhouse.
"He's such a big body," Dickinson High coach John Wilson said of Qvale, who is listed at 6-foot-7, 300 pounds. "It's hard to get around him. They got him the ball when he was open."
In the final 10 minutes of the game, Williston was able to extend its lead to 10 points. More importantly, Qvale served as Williston's answer to Dickinson sophomore Joe Hanstad, who had a team high 29 points including three 3-pointers. Hanstad and Qvale lead all of Class A in scoring.
"Every run we had, we'd give a run back to them," Wilson said. "We didn't stop Qvale."
ADVERTISEMENT
Williston (9-4, 6-4 West Region) held a 46-37 edge at halftime. Dickinson senior Joe Emmerich finished with 18 points while sophomore Nate Moody had 14.
Wilson said he was most disappointed with the defensive effort, especially allowing 46 points in the first half. The Midgets drop to 6-6 overall and 4-6 in the region.
"We haven't figured out how important it's going to be to play defense," Wilson said. "It's an attitude we just haven't figured out."
D: Joe Hanstad 29, Joe Emmerich 18, Nate Moody 14, Conner McNeilly 5, Tim Kessel 3, Clark Weiser 2, Jarl Abrahamson 1.
W: Brent Qvale 34, John Oyloe 14, Tyler Eiken 13 Derek Opperud 7, Shawn Egge 7, CJ Vinger 5, Jeff Skadeland 4.
Halftime: Williston 46-37. 3-pointers: Hanstad 3, Opperud 2, Emmerich 2, Moody 2, Eiken 2, Vinger 1, McNeilly 1, Kessel 1. Free throws: D 7-11, W 17-28. Total fouls: D 21, W 13. Rebounds: D 24 (Hanstad 8), W 39 (Qvale 13). Assists: D 18 (Abrahamson 6), W 19 (Skadeland 6). Steals: D 6 (Hanstad 3), W 6 (Egge 2). Blocks: D 0, W 3 (Qvale 2). Turnovers: D 8, W 10.
