Edmunds County Tribune -

North Central would split a pair of recent boys varsity basketball appearances. The Thunder boys were defeated by Potter County 62-35 in Hoven on January 25 and were then able to pick up a victory at home in Eureka on Friday vs. Strasburg/Zeeland by a 59-26 verdict.

In that one Raynor Sprague poured in 21 points including six treys and Cooper Oxner got 12 points with four treys. Next would be Tim Rucker with seven points, followed by Dawson Walz with six points. Cole Beitelspacher had five points with one trey and Harrison Beyers, three points. Zane Haar and Brady Beitelspacher each  scored two points and Kobe  Wherry a free throw.

The visitors were led by Troy Ternes and Brock Tonjas with nine points apiece. Lawson Niewsma and Jack Vander Vorst each scored four points. The visitors were able to make 12 total baskets that featured one trey and were only 1-12 in free throws. But NC totaled 18 baskets that included all those treys and went 11-19 at the charity stripes.

Back to Thursday! The hosts in Hoven would lead 14-2, 36-13 and 53-23 at each respective quarter break. They were led by Carter Luikens with 15 points followed closely by Ryder Falkenhhagen with his 14 points.  Four more Battlers would score.

They totaled 23 two-point baskets plus three treys and were 7-14 in free throws. The Thunder countered with eight deuces and four treys plus seven free throws in 14 tries.

The Thunder were led by Sprague with 11 points that included a trio of treys and Rucker was next with seven points. Oxner and Walz each had four points and Cole Beitelspacher added three points on a trey. Brady Beitelspacher, Harrison Beyers and Zane Haar would each make two points.

The Thunder had 32 rebounds led by Rucker with 10 boards. Sprague added five of them. But PC only collected 25 rebounds, one of the bright spots for the Thunder. However the hosts only committed 10 turnovers; the Thunder 24.

The NC boys and girls hosted Aberdeen Christian on Jan. 30 in Bowdle.