Mobridge-Pollock boys basketball had their work cut out for them Tuesday night in the SoDak 16. They faced 18-4 Lennox, who was the hottest team in the state with 11 straight wins. They played inside the historic Huron Arena, and put on a thriller worthy of the venue. Mobridge-Pollock trailed by 14 entering the fourth quarter, and would nearly come all the way back, before falling 58-51 to end their season.
It had the makings a defensive game early, as not a single point was scored until the 4:49 mark of the first quarter. The Tigers would take a 7-2 lead there, which would be their largest advantage of the night. The offense went quiet from there, as Lennox went on a 15-0 run to pull out ahead. Mobridge-Pollock closed out the first half strong to cut the Orioles lead to eight points.
Lennox dominated the early part of the third quarter, where they would go out in front by as much as 18, which would be their largest lead. But, after winning each of the first three quarters, the Orioles were overwhelmed by the Tigers fight in the fourth. Mobridge-Pollock’s 20 fourth quarter points were the most for either team in the game, and it was almost enough to do the job. With incredible effort defensive plays, and sharpshooting from sophomore Shooter Frederick, the Tigers would cut Lennox’s lead to as small as four points.
The Orioles sweat the game down to the wire, but neither team made a field goal in the final 1:47 of the fourth. Lennox made 11 of their 13 free throws and were able to escape, and advance to the state tournament.
After shooting just 2-for-14 from three in the first half, Mobridge-Pollock was nearly 50% from deep range in the second half. Frederick scored a game-high 20 points for the second straight game, making six of the Tigers seven three’s. The team also committed 16 turnovers, and were outrebounded by 15. Lennox senior Boston Katzer was a menace in the game, leading the contest with 14 rebounds and six steals.
The Tigers season ends in the round of 16, after a 14-9 campaign. They made it further then they had in the past few years, as they were able to advance out of their region. They came just minutes away from their first state tournament bid since 2013, but put up a fight in the fourth quarter against Lennox that will not be soon forgotten. They graduate six total seniors, led notably by Jackson Eisemann and Shane Henderson. But their seven sophomores, which includes starters Shooter Frederick, Easton Eisemann, and Kale Knudson will be leading the orange and black for years to come.
Comments