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Middle School Basketball

Coyote Jr. High extends win streak

The Dodson Coyotes and North Country Maverick junior high teams squared off for the second time in two weeks last Friday, November 10, in Whitewater.

The Dodson Boys junior high team dismantled the North Country boys 53-28. The Coyotes were led by Kadin Racine, who scored twenty points, eight of which came in the first period. Racine was asked about the key to the win.

"Teamwork and playing defense," Racine said.

Trey Johnson led the Mavericks with 11 points.

The Coyotes led 15-9 after the first period. The Coyotes would not allow a single quarter tally to go over ten, holding the Mavericks to six points in the second quarter, five in the third and eight in the fourth. Dodson racked up twelve points in the second, 11 in the third and 15 in the fourth.

Julian Benson was asked why his team was able to win.

"Hustling back (on defense) and trying hard," Benson said.

Other Coyote scorers include J. Benson who had 13 points, Alex Werk with eight, Cash KillEagle with five, Tanner Ball with three, Dwight Werk with two and Michael Jaynes with two.

Other Maverick scorers included Dylan Brown with five points, Sloan Lefdahl and Aiden Albus both had four and Marshall Caves and Adam McClellan with two each.

The Coyotes, currently undefeated, will have a chance to win the coveted District title this Friday in Hinsdale. Though last year's team was primed to win the title, they fell to Scobey in the opening round.

"We just need to play how we have been this season," Racine said. "Play hard and play good defense."

Racine's jump shot has gotten better this season, thanks to a very important aspect of any sport.

"Just practicing," Racine said noting that he practices one hour and thirty minutes a day, sometimes with his sister Kyla.

Benson was asked about the team's transition game and what works for his team.

"Passing it back and forth until somebody is open and just hustling," he said.

In the fifth through sixth grade jamboree game, the Mavericks would edge out Dodson 16-9 in an earlier game.

The Mav Jam team was led by Coy Bowman, who had six points. Blaine Downing was the only other Mav to knock down two field goals, scoring four points total. Kade Strommen, Peyton Smith and Sloan Lefdahl each had two points.

According to Lefdahl, teamwork and passing the ball were keys to the team's win.

Smith was the tallest on the court, which allowed him leverage under the rim.

"You just gotta jump up and hope it comes in your hands," Smith said about rebounding.

Dodson failed to score a single point in the first half of the game, while giving up seven points. Both teams scored nine points in the second half.

Dodson's Jam team was led by Sebastian Best, who scored five. Christian Jaynes and Junior Stiffarm both scored two points.

The Mavs Jam team has only lost to the Lustre Lions this season.

"I think we just had an off day," Lefdahl said. "We didn't pass as much and just went in for layups."

After the loss, the team was able to refocus and the team has been on a four game win streak.

"We tried hard in practice and got everything back together," Smith said. "The coaches said we just had an off game."

Payton Clausen, a junior at Malta High School made his Montana Officials Association debut that night. Clausen is the second youngest official in Montana.

"It went good," Clausen said. "It felt good."

 

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