Bismarck tops AV for first conference title since 2009

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By MATT KING

mking@dailyjournalonline.com

IRONTON – The Bismarck girls basketball team has danced on the edge of disastrous foul trouble several times this season, finishing some games without an available reserve.

A majority of those situations have managed to end favorably, and the Lady Indians remained calm when Arcadia Valley brought extra urgency their way on Thursday evening.

Senior guard Halie Dickey totaled a game-high 23 points with four steals, and two cerebral risks by Kinsey Hubbs helped protect a narrow lead inside the final minute.

Bismarck snapped a string of five consecutive losses to the Lady Tigers, and prevailed 63-56 in a massive step toward its first MAAA Small School championship since 2009.

Karlee Dickey provided 13 points plus three steals, and Ashley Hawkins posted a double-double despite picking up her fourth personal foul with 3:20 remaining in the third quarter.

Arcadia Valley generated three steals in a span of four possessions, but could not capitalize on three separate opportunities to reduce a three-point spread near the conclusion.

Braelyn Turnbough compiled 17 points, six rebounds and five assists, and used a subtle cross-over move to bank in a runner that marked the Lady Tigers’ final lead at 43-42.

Bismarck (17-4, 3-0) answered when a long inbound was slightly deflected near midcourt, enabling Karlee Dickey to cruise in for the go-ahead layup.

Grace Randazzo followed with two free throws, and Halie Dickey popped up from a jarring collision with Turnbough to regather the ball and bump the lead to five.

Hawkins returned with 7:08 to play after Turnbough sank two at the line, and reached the duration with 10 points and 15 rebounds overall.

Halie Dickey nailed a crucial 3-pointer to make it 53-48, and Hawkins drew a couple of ensuing fouls in the paint to make 3-of-4 free throws after Callie Hinkle had answered from the perimeter.

Turnbough hoped to ignite her team with an alert defensive sequence. After tracking down a loose ball in the corner and having her trapped pass stolen by Halie Dickey, she sprinted over to draw a charging foul before expressing some rare outward emotion.

But the Lady Tigers missed seven consecutive shots from the field as Bismarck ripped away some physical rebounds. Hubbs created the largest lead of the contest, 59-51, at the stripe with 2:52 left.

Arcadia Valley (14-10, 3-1) drew closer on a Turnbough triple, and Reese Brogan produced two key steals, the first of which set up a mid-range jumper for Hattie Vinyard.

The teams alternated six empty possession over the ensuing stretch, and the arrow favored Bismarck following a neutral scramble on the floor with 49 seconds to play.

Hubbs inbounded off the back of Hinkle and was immediately fouled under the basket. After increasing the lead to 61-56 with free throws, Hubbs stripped the ball off Vinyard and out of bounds.

The Lady Indians made up their last postponed conference game at West County on Friday, and ended the title drought with first-year head coach Logan Blunt guiding a resilient roster of seven.

Paige Newstead-Adams had 11 points and five rebounds, and lifted AV to a 36-33 halftime edge when a 3-pointer splashed just ahead of the buzzer. Her second-chance jumper opened the third quarter.

Karlie Dickey dished to Ashley Hawkins in response, and Halie Dickey highlighted a 6-0 spurt for the visitors with a turning jumper after Ayla Hawkins saved an errant pass along the baseline.

Bismarck opened the contest with seven quick points. Halie Dickey followed her initial 3-pointer with a driving layup, then assisted Grace Randazzo on a fast break.

Turnbough answered with the first of three straight baskets by the Lady Tigers. Lillie Adams and Hinkle finished excellent interior feeds from Newstead-Adams and Turnbough.

Four lead changes occurred before the first quarter ended. Karlee Dickey made a transition layup off a steal, then restored a 20-14 advantage to Bismarck from long range.

The Lady Indians could have likely taken the final shot after getting another stop, but a perimeter miss instead allowed AV to slash the deficit in half.

Vinyard grabbed the rebound after Newstead-Adams split free throws, and Hinkle converted both after drawing the second foul on Ashley Hawkins with 1.2 showing on the clock.

Although a drive and spin by Turnbough extended a 10-0 run toward a 24-20 lead, the Lady Tigers ultimately endured their fourth loss in five games to punctuate the regular season.

Vinyard collected a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, and Hinkle added 10 points with three steals for Arcadia Valley.

Ayla Hawkins chipped in seven points with six rebounds, and Randazzo scored six for Bismarck.

Both teams carry No. 1 seeds into their respective district tournaments. The Lady Indians are assigned to Class 2, District 3 at Van Buren, facing either Ellington or East Carter on Wednesday.

Arcadia Valley has valuable time to reset as the host for Class 3, District 3, and draws either West County or Grandview in the semifinal round.

Sophomore guard Annabelle Adams hopes to return to full strength after missing her third straight game due to persistent discomfort in both ankles.

Bismarck 56, West County 38

LEADWOOD – Bismarck returned to action on short rest, and solidified its first MAAA Small School title in 17 years with a 56-38 triumph over West County on Friday afternoon.

Grace Randazzo provided a solid start with nine points in the first quarter, fueling a narrow 12-10 lead, and scored a team-high 17 for the Lady Indians.

Halie Dickey provided 16 points, and Karlee Dickey netted eight of her 10 during the fourth quarter. Bismarck (18-4, 4-0) sank 9-of-10 free throws in a contest postponed by winter weather.

West County (13-13, 2-2) stayed within 26-19 at halftime, but was outscored 17-5 in the third quarter and ended just 6-of-14 from the line.

Maylee Merrill dropped in a game-high 18 points, and EmmaLynn Wilkins added five for the Lady Bulldogs as the programs met for the third time this season.

Bismarck utilized seven points from Ashley Hawkins and six more from Kinsey Hubbs.