Wolves Outscore Harlem, 68-58

Wolf Point’s boys’ basketball team was clicking against Harlem on Thursday, Feb. 18. The Wolves earned as big as a 20-point lead and defeated the Wildcats, 68-58, at home.

“It was a big win. I’m so proud of these guys,” Wolf Point coach Troy Blount said after the victory. “They’ve been working hard all year long.”

Harlem entered the game as the first-place team in District 2B.

“I feel like we’re starting to find our stride,” Blount said.

Highlighting the effort was a 31-point performance by sophomore Gaige Bushman in his first career start.

“That kid has worked his way up to the starting lineup,” Blount said. “I gave him an opportunity because of how hard he’s worked.”

What did the coach say to the sophomore after the high-point effort? “Keep it going,” Blount said.

The Wolves exploded for the last 11 points of the opening quarter on five points by Antone Manning, a drive by Kraven Silk, an inside basket by Bushman and a drive by Corey Martell for a 19-12 advantage.

After Harlem’s R.J. Ramone hit a three-pointer early in the second quarter, Wolf Point accounted for the next 14 points including a pair of three-pointers by Bushman for a 35-15 lead.

The Wolves led by a 38-25 half-time margin and increased the gap to 42-25 on baskets by Bushman and Manning to open the third quarter.

A three-point play by Manning put the Wolves ahead 47-

Bushman

27 with 4:29 remaining in the quarter.

Harlem trailed 56-41 at the end of the third quarter and cut the gap to 56-46 during the first minute of the final period.

The three-point shooting of Tyler Cichosz got the Wildcats as close as 60-56 with 2:43 left, but a threepoint play by Zander Ackerman and a basket by Kelby Bauer increased the margin to 65-56 with only 1:30 left.

Manning finished with 16 points for the Wolves. Also scoring were Bauer with nine, Ackerman with six, Martell with four and Kraven Silk with two.

Leading Harlem were R.J. Ramone with 26 points and Cichosz with 10 points.