Edmunds County Tribune -

Faulkton never led in a Lake Region Conference boys' high school basketball league game vs. Ipswich on January 20 in the Tiger Den. Ipswich's defense proved to be quite formidable at times leading to some transition opportunities for the Tigers' offensive attack.

Ipswich indeed got three unanswered baskets, starting with Taylor Thorson's deuce and then two straight layups by Carson Gohl for a quick six-point lead before Faulkton could even get on the scoreboard. The Tigers' first double-digit lead would be 14-4, thanks to an Ian Beyers trey.

Ipswich extended its lead to 17-5 after a quarter and comfortably led 29-12 at halftime. But the visitors weren't quite ready to go home and would actually out-score the Tigers 8-5 in the third quarter and again 12-10 in the final stanza when they would briefly close to within eight points, 38-30. But a Gohl basket would restore order and the Tigers were then able to get to the free throw line down the stretch, as the scoreboard clock would become a Tiger ally.

Ipswich obtained balanced scoring, led by Ian Beyers with 13 points including a trio of treys. And Taylor Thorson was next with 10 points, also finishing in double-figures. Trevor Beyers added nine points that included two treys and Gohl would finish with eight points. Next was Trevor Heinz with three points, courtesy of his team's remaining trey. Carter Geditz would add a late free throw for his lone point that evening.

Faulkton ended up with six scorers, but featured the game-high scorer Layne Cotton with 14 points. Next were Bennett Cassens and Hunter Neiderbaumer with five points apiece.

Ipswich shot 16-45 from the floor including their six treys and finished 6-15 at the free throw line. The Trojans were 3-9 at the line to go with their 13 accurate baskets, three of which were treys.

Ipswich out-rebounded Faulkton 48-31, with a balanced effort led by Taylor Thorson with nine boards (almost a double-double) and Ian Beyers and Gohl were next with eight rebounds apiece. (Faulkton was led by Niederbaumer with 12 retrieves.)

Faulkton finished with 18 turnovers; Ipswich, 27. But the Tigers indeed came away with nine steals, while the Trojans had 12 thefts. Ty Kadlec dished out six of his team's 13 assists to lead the Tigers in that phase of the game. Faulkton only totaled seven assists.