January Madness? Unbelievable Class AA Upsets

There were two incredible upsets in Class AA last week on January 27th. The Jamestown Blue Jays beat the Bismarck Century Patriots 59-56 after losing to them earlier in the season 90-28. The Sheyenne Mustangs beat the Horace Hawks 76-73 after losing to them earlier in the season 95-43. A couple of things have to happen when there is such a lopsided first game and then an upset. The first thing that needs to be taken into consideration is that crazy things happen in basketball. Anyone can make or miss shots on any given night. Sheyenne and Jamestown played one of their worst games of the season at the start of the year the first time these teams played. It is more of an indication of two younger squads figuring things out and playing well later than anything else. Of course the favorites in games like these don't usually play as well as they are capable of playing. When the underdog plays well and the favorite doesn't play as well as they are capable, an upset happens.   Jamestown over Bismarck Century   The Patriots raced out to an early lead and it looked like business as usual. Jamestown was able to respond with a small run and great defense that made it difficult for Century to get into their full-court press. When they were able to get into their press, Jamestown was able to handle it without turning the ball over. Jamestown led 34-21 at half. Century came storming out the second half with a competitive fire to get back into the game. The closest they got was down 2 with a score of 44-46. The Blue Jays were up 52-44 with just under three minutes to play. The Patriots clawed back with a couple of late three-pointers from [player_tooltip player_id='1132710' first='Layken' last='Wolff'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1312749' first='Kaylie' last='Welstad']. Jamestown's [player_tooltip player_id='1246815' first='Macey' last='Neumiller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1253369' first='Hannah' last='Attleson'] were able to knock down some clutch free-throws and helped break a frantic last effort press from the Patriots. The final buzzer sounded with a Jamestown victory, 59-56.   Bismarck struggled from the field, only shotting 35.8% from the field and won in many statistical categories that typically lead to victories. They had 53 field goal attempts to Jamestown's 34. However, Jamestown shot 58.8% from the field and got to the free-throw line 19 times. The Pats had 6 more offensive rebounds and 9 less turnovers than the Blue Jays.   [player_tooltip player_id='1312749' first='Kaylie' last='Welstad'] finished with 13 points and played terrific defense all night.   [player_tooltip player_id='1126159' first='Lakyn' last='Johnson'] finished with 11 points and two made three's.   Milan Martin had 12 points for the Blue Jays and displayed some fantastic ball-control.   [player_tooltip player_id='1253369' first='Hannah' last='Attleson'] was outstanding with 7 points and 5 rebounds. She was critical in Jamestown's press-break.   [player_tooltip player_id='1224882' first='Claire' last='Marker'] had 8 points and 9 rebounds. Her athleticism and defensive effort were on full display.   PLAYER OF THE GAME   [player_tooltip player_id='1246815' first='Macey' last='Neumiller'] was incredible. She finished with 23 points on 8 of 12 shooting. She hit a very difficult scoop left-handed layup with under 3 minutes that stretched their lead to 8. She got up to the free-throw line and knocked down a couple of key free-throws as well. The freshman showed why she is one of the best players in the 2028 class.   Sheyenne over Horace   The Mustangs had a completely different look to them compared to the first time they matched up against the Hawks. They looked confident and ready to compete. [player_tooltip player_id='1130934' first='Adria' last='Roller'] drew a critical charge on [player_tooltip player_id='555487' first='Jordan' last='Christofferson'] at the beginning of the game. Sheyenne came out firing on all cylinders and led 22-14 at the 7:30 mark when [player_tooltip player_id='1246817' first='Maya' last='Klabo'] made a tough transition layup to stop the bleeding. The score was 31-30 Mustangs at the 2:45 mark of the first half and Sheyenne was able to push the lead to 40-33 at half. Sheyenne didn't lose any steam at half, coming right back out with the same confidence they started the game with. The score was 49-40 at the fifteen minute mark and it looked like the game might get away from the Hawks. They kept battling and Klabo hit a three to cut the lead to 53-50 at the nine minute mark. Sheyenne kept stretching the lead and was up 68-61 with 2:34 left in the contest. The Hawks had one final push to tie it up at 69 and send it into overtime. [player_tooltip player_id='555488' first='Lakyn' last='Donnelly'] nearly connected on a three-point attempt from her knees as time expired. Christofferson unfortunately fouled out right before the end of regulation, something that certainly played a factor in overtime. In overtime, the Mustangs dominated the glass with 4 of their 7 overtime points coming as second chance points. [player_tooltip player_id='658263' first='Zoe' last='Keene'] hit a 3 with 50 seconds left that would end up being the game-winning shot. The Hawks had one final look to tie but fell short in a competitive classic.   This is another example where the team that shot the ball better won the game. Sheyenne shot 45.1% from the field compared to Horace's 36.1%. Horace won the turnover battle 11 to 20 and also won the free-throw battle 16 to 6. Sheyenne made 10 three-pointers and the Hawks connected on 8 from deep.   [player_tooltip player_id='555488' first='Lakyn' last='Donnelly'] was spectacular. She scored 41 points, including 5 three-pointers. She also recorded 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 steals.   [player_tooltip player_id='555487' first='Jordan' last='Christofferson'] recorded 12 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals.   Taylor Majkzak put in two three-pointers. She is just beginning to get back into the speed of things.   [player_tooltip player_id='658263' first='Zoe' last='Keene'] poured in 22 points including some big-time shots at big-time moments.   [player_tooltip player_id='641206' first='Callen' last='Fosher'] had 7 points and 9 rebounds.   [player_tooltip player_id='1090532' first='Sabrina' last='Staab'] had 14 points, including 4 first half three-point makes   [player_tooltip player_id='1130934' first='Adria' last='Roller'] played awesome. She kept many possessions alive and moved the ball to open shooters. She finished with 8 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks.   PLAYER OF THE GAME   It is hard to not give the player of the game to someone who scored 41 points. However, Sheyenne would not have won if not for the stellar play of [player_tooltip player_id='1090529' first='Evie' last='Sevald']. She played her best game of the season against the top team in the EDC. Her ability to get to the basket and utilize her strength was on display all game. She shot efficiently and played an overall outstanding game. She finished with 20 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals.   Congrats to these two underdogs on two great victories.

There were two incredible upsets in Class AA last week on January 27th. The Jamestown Blue Jays beat the Bismarck Century Patriots 59-56 after losing to them earlier in the season 90-28. The Sheyenne Mustangs beat the Horace Hawks 76-73 after losing to them earlier in the season 95-43. A couple of things have to happen when there is such a lopsided first game and then an upset. The first thing that needs to be taken into consideration is that crazy things happen in basketball. Anyone can make or miss shots on any given night. Sheyenne and Jamestown played one of their worst games of the season at the start of the year the first time these teams played. It is more of an indication of two younger squads figuring things out and playing well later than anything else. Of course the favorites in games like these don't usually play as well as they are capable of playing. When the underdog plays well and the favorite doesn't play as well as they are capable, an upset happens.