Bismarck takes chaotic victory over Kingston on Homecoming
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Bismarck guard Gabe Crocker (4) finishes a made layup past Kingston forward Brady Thompson (22) during first quarter boys basketball action on Friday night in Bismarck. (Matt King, Daily Journal)
Kingston guard Jaxson Arnold dribbles ahead to score after making a steal against Bismarck during second quarter boys basketball action on Friday night in Bismarck. (Matt King, Daily Journal)
Bismarck forward August Martinez (10) scores as Kingston forward Joey Hahn (25) reacts to contact from an elbow during first quarter boys basketball action on Friday night in Bismarck. (Matt King, Daily Journal)
Kingston guard Ashton Piel (14) tries to steal possession from fallen Bismarck guard Ean Bone (30) at midcourt during fourth quarter boys basketball action on Friday night in Bismarck. (Matt King, Daily Journal)
Kingston forward Brady Thompson converts a layup attempt while drawing a push in the back from Bismarck guard Austin Dunlap during second quarter boys basketball action on Friday night in Bismarck. (Matt King, Daily Journal)
Bismarck guard Austin Dunlap (11) blocks a perimeter pass by Kingston guard Myles Maness during first quarter boys basketball action on Friday night in Bismarck. (Matt King, Daily Journal)
By MATT KING
mking@dailyjournalonline.com
BISMARCK – Head coaches Brett Hale of Bismarck and Zeke Schupp of Kingston perhaps had the same notion when their basketball teams returned from the locker room.
A physical and somewhat heated first half rendered both sides in considerable foul trouble, and their initial possessions of the third quarter seemed designed to capitalize.
Indians forward August Martinez and Cougars guard Myles Maness were targeted as defenders within the first 47 seconds, and both headed to the bench with their respective fourth personals.
The intensity never waned, and noise was amplified in the compact vintage gymnasium as Bismarck celebrated Homecoming by claiming the last of 22 lead changes on Friday night.
Senior guard Gabe Crocker fouled out with 4:41 remaining, but produced 15 of his game-high 25 points in the second quarter to help the Indians prevail 78-75.
Kingston had an opportunity to force overtime, but a 3-pointer caught only the rim and glass before an inconsequential putback attempt also missed as time expired.
Austin Dunlap compiled 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists while sinking 11-of-16 free throws, and four players achieved double digits for Bismarck (7-8, 1-1).
Kingston (8-7, 1-1) steadily erased the largest deficit of the contest after Crocker swished a left wing 3-pointer to extend the Indians’ 44-38 halftime cushion to nine.
Riley Samples struck from the perimeter in response, and Brady Thompson twice drove and dished inside to Joey Hahn as a 14-2 surge put the Cougars ahead 52-49.
But three field goals by Ean Bone sparked a 10-4 counter by the Indians, and his tip shot at the buzzer marked a 59-56 edge with eight chaotic minutes remaining.
Heavy contact and frequent collisions throughout the evening kept officials busy, inflicted some minor wounds and bred frustration for coaches, players and spectators.
Hahn briefly departed in the first quarter after bleeding from the nose as Martinez made a shot in the paint, but powered inside for a tying 3-point play to open the fourth.
Thompson followed with a driving finish, but Talon Goodman shifted the lead back to the Indians by sinking his second triple from the right corner at 62-61.
The Cougars appeared ready to gain final separation when Thompson nailed a 3-pointer on the heels of a transition layup by Ashton Piel for a 70-66 advantage.
Crocker ended his participation with a fifth foul moments later, but his teammates responded with a 9-0 run. After sitting for 9 ½ minutes, Martinez dropped in a tying jumper on an inbounds play.
Bone carved out space along the baseline for the go-ahead basket, and Dunlap raced ahead to make it 74-70 after Thompson did not draw a whistle amid a crowd of three defenders.
Kingston was superior from the line, knocking down 19-of-27 free throws compared to just 15-of-31 by Bismarck, but suffered a costly mistake while exerting pressure down the stretch.
Bismarck narrowly avoided a violation when Bone slipped down and lost control of his dribble near the midcourt stripe and sideline with Ashton Piel lurking nearby.
The Indians retained possession when the ball deflected out of bounds, and Thompson committed his costly fifth foul while trapping reserve guard Carson Stricklin.
Alex Coleman banked in a 3-pointer to pull the Cougars within 77-75, but Jaxson Arnold could not connect in desperation after Stricklin split two free throws.
Bone totaled 12 points with eight rebounds in a result that displayed the current parity in the MAAA Small School division. Martinez had 11 points, and Goodman netted nine for Bismarck.
Arnold amassed 11 of his team-high 22 points for Kingston in the first quarter. Two straight 3-pointers and a fast-break layup helped the visitors take a 20-15 lead into the second.
Crocker converted a layup through contact after the Cougars missed three looks from the doorstep, and hustled for a transition putback before heating up with two perimeter daggers before halftime.
Dunlap tipped a pass out of bounds with the game even at 27-27, and Cougars guard Jaice Piel reacted by throwing the dead ball at Dunlap with both hands for an obvious technical foul.
Thompson finished with 21 points, nine rebounds and three steals while going 10-of-12 from the line. Hahn poured in 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds for Kingston.
Arnold provided four steals on defense, and nearly obtained another in the final minute before a loose ball caromed off his foot and quickly rolled from midcourt toward the offensive baseline.
