Poplar Boys Open With Win Over Wolf Point

Poplar got off to a good start and defeated Wolf Point, 67-52, in the first round of the District 2B boys’ basketball tournament held in Wolf Point on Wednesday, Feb. 14.

Three-point shots by Geordy Medicine Cloud, Quinn Sutherland and Kaniel Ricker led the Indians to a 10-3 advantage during the first four minutes of the contest.

After a pair of free throws by Delray Lilley increased Poplar’s lead to 12-5, Wolf Point’s Jack Kolstad fired in a pair of three-pointers to pull the Wolves to 15-11.

The Indians, however, accounted for the last five points of the opening period on a free throw by Cetan Growing Thunder, a basket off a rebound by Medicine Cloud and a fast-break hoop by Walker Burshia for a 20-11 advantage.

Poplar’s full-court defensive pressure limited the Wolves to only four points in the second quarter. The scoring of Medicine Cloud, Ricker and Sutherland highlighted play as the Indians held a 37-15 half-time advantage.

A three-point play and a tip-in by Cade Stafne were highlights for the Wolves early in the third quarter.

Wolf Point struck for five straight points on a free throw by Lennoxx Lilley, a hoop by DaShawn Jackson and a three-pointer by Sean Hamilton to close the margin to 54-31.

Poplar led 58-31 at the end of the third quarter and added nine more points in the fourth period for a 67-45 victory.

Medicine Cloud led the Indians with 19 points including five three-pointers. Delray Lilley finished with 16 points. Ricker had 11 points.

Also scoring were Sutherland with seven, Burshia with six, Dane Moran with five, Blake Lambert with two and Growing Thunder with one.

Summers scored 11 points for the Wolves. Also scoring were Stafne with seven, Kolstad with six, Lennoxx Lilley with six, Richard Campbell with four, Hamilton with three, Charlie Page with three, Rebel Mays with two, Jackson with two and DJ Fischer with one.