Season ends for Dodson Teams

The season came to an end for both Dodson varsity basketball teams last Friday, February 25, in Wolf Point.

The Coyotes and Lady Coyotes had the opportunity to qualify for their respective 2022 Eastern C Divisional Tournaments set to start this Wednesday in Sidney, but both teams fell short as the Coyotes lost 62-43 to the Plentywood Wildcats and the Lady Coyotes lost 49-31 to the Circle Wildcats.

Lady Coyotes

In their loss to Circle, the Lady Coyotes were led by Kataya KillEagle who had 18 points. Imagin Fox added 11 points to the effort, and Kylee Ball had two points.

The Wildcats were led by Sierra Nagle who had 18 points. Alexis Moline had 16 points and Tina Hagan had eight points.

Circle ended the first quarter with a 13-9 lead over the young Lady Coyotes. Circle's lead would grow to 22-13 at halftime, then 27-17 after three quarters. Dodson would have their highest offensive output of 14 points in the fourth quarter while holding Circle to 12.

We were outsized and outnumbered going up against a veteran team like Circle," Dodson Head Coach Clayton KillEagle told the PCN. "Those girls move the ball well and are very disciplined, but I was very proud of the girls for the way they battled."

Coach KillEagle believes that the effort that his team showed will be something to build on next season.

"They showed heart and the want to survive," Coach KillEagle said. "As a coach, that's a win. Although we didn't come away with the victory, I do believe this experience will help our young core we have in the following years."

Coyotes

In their loss to Plentywood, the Coyotes were led by junior Alex Werk who had 15 points. Senior Kadin Racine had 12 points and fellow senior Mikey Jaynes had 11 points.

Tanner Ball and Sebastian Best both had two points. Mason LoneBear had one point.

Plentywood was led by Reese Wirtz who had 24 points. Caydon Trupe had 17 points, and Noah Murray had nine points.

"We had a plan to keep the Wirtz kid contained," Coach Wiggins said. "He was going to score; there was no denying that, but they willed themselves to that victory as far as pounding the ball inside. They also had a couple of shooters knocking down shots."

Coach Wiggins said that once the Coyotes got into foul trouble, Wirtz kept attacking Dodson in the paint.

"We couldn't keep him contained and couldn't get a body on him," Coach Wiggins said.

Dodson kept things close in the first half. They were outscored 14-10 in the first quarter, but both teams scored 13 points in the second quarter. The score was 27-23 at halftime. Plentywood pulled away in the final two periods outsourcing Dodson 13-6 in the third quarter and 22-14 in the fourth quarter.

Despite the season ending, Coach Wiggins expressed pride in his team, who battled to the end.

"We went down swinging," Wiggins said. "We didn't just lay down. I truly believe that, especially based on seeing the emotions after the last game. They really wanted it. It didn't show on the scoreboard but I know for a fact that a lot of those guys left it all out there and as a coach, that's all that you can really ask for."

He said to his athletes that if they could walk out of the tournament with their heads high, knowing that they gave their all, it was a win for everyone in the locker room.

"My hat is off to them for giving it their absolute best," Coach Wiggins said. "We came up short, but all you can do is ask for all that they have and I truly believe that a lot of those guys gave me that."