In the final game of the evening on Thursday night at the Monument, Stanley County would face their toughest test of the season in the Clark-Willow Lake Cyclones. Both teams came in boasting a 20-2 record but knew little of each other not sharing common opponents and not facing off in the regular season.
The Buffaloes came out hot, wanting to make a statement after returning to State for the first time in nearly 30 years. Paxton Deal delivered when he opened the game with a corner three that also drew a foul, turning into a four-point play. Deal would hit another three from the opposite corner, and throughout a defensively sound first quarter Stanley County took an early four-point lead.
The Cyclones settled in the second quarter and regained the lead and never looked back.
Clark-Willow Lake would go onto win 66-36 with length and speed while also shutting down Stanley County’s key players. Eddie Duffy was held to one of his lowest career totals as the Cyclones keyed in on him never letting a defender leave his side. The Cyclones also displayed an innate ability to get open looks at the rim and around the post leading to 52.6% from the floor.
Paxton Deal led the Buffaloes with 15 while the Cyclones were led by Chris Bevers who had 24.
Stanley County will face off with Cheyenne-Eagle Butte tomorrow, a team they beat earlier in the regular season 67-52 at 1:45 PM CT. Coverage on Star 99 and KGFX will begin around 1:30 PM.
Clark-Willow Lake will face off with West Central at 7:45 PM CT.
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