Indians Play Close Games Against Dodson

In two games that went to the wire, Poplar’s basketball squads came up short against Dodson during home action on Monday, Feb. 8.

Poplar’s boys accounted for an excellent comeback before losing to Dodson, 80-77, in overtime.

The Indians trailed by a 42-27 margin midway into the third quarter, but Poplar then exploded for 14 straight points on two three-pointers by William Youngman, a three-pointer by Joe Bear, a three-point play by Wilfred Lambert and a layup by Bear to close the score to 42-41.

Trailing 47-45 after three quarters of play, the Indians tied the game on a 14-footer by Deirae Lilley to open the fourth quarter. After Dodson moved back ahead 55-50, Poplar’s Geordy Medicine Cloud canned a three-pointer with 6:32 left. A three-point play by 6-3 junior Dennis Red Eagle put the Indians up 56-55 at the the 5:32 mark.

A three-point play by Inyan Growing Thunder and a free throw by Lambert put Poplar up 62-59 with 3:07 remaining. The Indians appeared to be in control when a 14-footer by Bear and a free throw by Medicine Cloud produced a 65-61 lead with 31 seconds left. Dodson, however, tied the game, 66-66, on a three-pointer by Juliun Benson with nine seconds left.

A three-pointer by Bear put Poplar ahead 71-70 with 1:38 left in the overtime period. After the Coyotes regained the lead, Lilley hit a three-pointer to put Poplar up 77-75 with 65 seconds remaining. The Coyotes tied the game on an inside shot by Dwight Werk with 25 seconds left.

After the Indians turned the ball over, Dodson’s Benson connected on a three-pointer at the buzzer for the win.

Poplar’s top scorers were Bear with 24, Lilley with 16 and Youngman with 11. Also scoring were Red Eagle with eight, Growing Thunder with seven, Lambert with five and Medicine Cloud with four.

Top scorers for Dodson were Benson with 19 and Zarek Jones with 18 points.

In the girls’ contest, Dodson earned a 54-51 victory over the Indians.

Dodson led 44-40 after the third quarter, but Poplar fought back to 44-44 on baskets by Macey Dionne and Jazmyn CarryWater to open the fourth period.

A layup by CarryWater and another basket by Dionne gave Poplar a 49-48 advantage with 3:02 remaining.

After the Coyotes gained the lead, CarryWater made two free throws to cut the gap to 52-51 with 1:03 left.

Two free throws by Melony Fetter increased Dodson’s lead to 54-51 with 31 seconds left. Poplar’s next possession ended on a steal by Lindsey Fetter with only six seconds remaining.

Leading the Indians were Dionne with 18 and Keandra Martell with 13 points.

Also scoring were Catherine Bear with nine, CarryWater with six and Rikki Belton with five.

M. Fetter, a 5-8 senior, accounted for 29 of Dodson’s points.

The scoring of Dodson and Martell led the Indians to a 14-5 lead. Poplar held a 16-12 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

Poplar tallied the last six points of the half on a three-pointer by Bear and three points by Belton for a 29-25 advantage.