It was a successful weekend for the Bronc Boy’s as they posted a perfect 2-0 record during the 1st Annual Belle Fourche Boys Basketball Classic at the Ed Patronek Gym.
Teams from across the state and Wyoming came to participate in the inaugural tournament including the Redfield Pheasants, Kadoka Area Cougars, Upton (Wyo) Bobcats, Lead/Deadwood Gold Diggers, and the Little Wound Mustangs.
Friday’s only contest saw the Broncs handle the Redfield Pheasants 61-41 behind an outstanding offensive night for Sern Weishaar who had a season high 24 points including six from long distance. “Sern had a big game offensively but it started on the defensive side for him. He applied great ball pressure throughout the game,” stated Coach Pottorff. Jet Jensen also had a good night scoring 14 points sinking four 3-pointers. Rexton Audiss chipped in 8 points and and provided a much needed boost on the defensive end. Nolan Wahlfeldt played a tough defensive game while chipping in 7 points while Jordan Sandoval and Emitt Lipp scored 5 points and 3 points respectively. “We played with a lot of energy in the 4th quarter that sparked a run to help us close the game,” added Pottorff.
The Broncs came out of halftime a little flat being outscored by the Pheasants in the 3rd quarter 17-11, but turned up the heat on Redfield outscoring them in the 4thquarter 17-2, which would be the difference in the game.
On Saturday, the Broncs would face an unfamiliar foe in the Kadoka Area Cougars. The first half would be all Cougars as they got the edge on the Broncs going into half time by a score of 24-20. But the halftime adjustments made by the Broncs on both sides of the court would be key as the Broncs outscored the Cougars 32-21 in the second half eventually taking the win 52-45. Jet Jensen led all scorers with 22 points including four from 3-point range.
“He (Jensen) knocked down some big shots in the 3rd quarter to get our confidence rolling, said Coach Pottorf of Jensen’s 3rd quarter heroics. Nolan Wahlfeldt would drop 10 points including a couple key steals that led to quick layups for the Broncs late in the fourth. Wahlfeldt was also a defensive headache for Kadoka throughout the game grabbing multiple rebounds.
Sern Weishaar also had a couple big steals for the Broncs that helped seal the victory. The Broncs found multiple players in foul trouble. Audiss, Wahlfeldt, and McKenna each ended the game with four fouls. “I was proud of how we stay engaged through some foul trouble and stay focused on what we can do to help the team,” Coach Pottorf added.
Other games on Saturday saw the Lead-Deadwood roll past Redfield by a score of 51-82, and Upton taking care of Little Wound by a score of 55-39.
Comets upend Broncs
The Rapid City Comets showed why they are ranked number one in Region 8A by destroying the Broncs 81-28 on Tuesday night.
The Rapid City Christian Comets scored almost 20 points before the Broncs finally scored on a layup from Sern Weishaar. The Comets tenacious defense and pressing the entire first half and into the third quarter did not allow the Broncs to find their rhythm, completely shutting down the Broncs leading scorers Jet Jensen and Nolan Wahlfeldt and forced Belle Fourche to rely on their bench for most of the game.
Carter McKenna led the Broncs with 8 hard fought points and Sern Weishaar was right behind him with 7 points.
Scoopers Spoil Senior
Night for Bronc Boys
A night of celebration for the senior boys was soured by a 70-36 shellacking courtesy of the Sturgis Scoopers on Tuesday February 13th in Belle Fourche. Before the game the senior boys and girls along with their parents were brought before the hometown crowd and honored. Senior boys Rexton Audiss, Nolan Wahlfeldt, Jordan Sandoval, Jonah Musilek, Carter McKenna and foreign exchange student Quentin Hersant were recognized for their dedication to Bronc Basketball.
Sturgis controlled the opening tip and immediately went on a 12-0 run until Sern Weishaar scored on layup from a Nolan Wahlfeldt pass.
Throughout the game the Broncs struggled getting anything to drop, and Sturgis’ consistent pressure forced a number of Belle turnovers.
“Sturgis is a big and physical team that was locked into their goal of applying pressure in the first half,” stated Coach Pottorff.
Isaac Voyles came off the bench and paced the Broncs with 9 points followed closely by Jordan Sandoval with 8 points including two from deep. Sturgis keyed on pressuring Jet Jensen who was relatively quiet throughout the evening only scoring 5 points including one three pointer.
Senior Nolan Wahlfeldt once again provided Belle with strong defense while battling underneath against a couple big Sturgis defenders. Carter McKenna ended the game with 4 points despite being bullied in the paint and ended up going 2-4 from the charity line.
Senior Jonah Musilek provided the Broncs with a spark sinking two well-timed field goals down the stretch.
“It’s not the way you want a senior night to go but I have enjoyed coaching these guys the past few years and I am proud of who they are becoming as young men,” Coach Pottorff had to say about his seniors. Belle hosted Faith (15-2) on Friday February 16th in the final home game of the season.
