Kittson Co. Central knocks off Fertile-Beltrami in Section 8A Boys Basketball Semifinals

The Kittson County Central Bearcats boys basketball team rode seven first-half threes and aggressive defense to a 67-51 victory over the defending section champion Fertile-Beltrami Falcons in the Section 8A semi-finals at Ralph Englestad Arena in Thief River Falls.

FIRST HALF –
It was a slow start to the first half, with neither team scoring for the first two minutes of the game. Fertile-Beltrami scored the first points of the game when Drew Gullickson made two free throws KCC’s Ty Vig answered with three points only to have Fertile-Beltrami’s Bryer Strem make a three-pointer for a 5-3 lead. KCC took over the game as they went on a 12-2 run that was sparked by Brock Scalese’s back-to-back three-pointers. Kellen Johnson followed with a three-pointer and after a Falcon basket, Vig made a free throw and James Cerkowniak added a basket for a 15-7 lead eight minutes into the game. Two minutes later, KCC led 23-14 lead. Fertile-Beltrami’s Easton Petry made a three-pointer and after KCC’s Vig scored three points, the Falcons responded with baskets from Gullickson and Caleb Stoltman to get within a 26-21 deficit with 1:50 left in the half. KCC ended the half with back-to-back Brock Scalese three-pointers as the Bearcats took a 32-21 lead into halftime.

SECOND HALF –
The Bearcats picked back up where they left off, forcing more turnovers and extending their lead with a couple of free throws from Ty Vig, which sparked a 6-0 run. Easton Petry answered back for the Falcons with a big three to cut the lead to 38-24. Vig made a three to answer moments later to make it 41-24. The Bearcats were able to continue to push the issue, as they would score 6 of the next nine points. Vig and the Bearcats continued to win on the glass, as they drew multiple fouls. The Falcons would hang around, however, as they trailed 54-36 with about eight minutes left in the half. Out of a timeout, the Falcons would go on a 7-0 run with Preston Hanson and Drew Gullickson making free throws and second chance buckets, making the score 54-43 with 6:20 left. A pair of Vig free throws helped the Bearcats end the run and put them up 56-43, which was answered by a Falcon triple from Hanson at the 5:27 mark to cut the lead to 10. Fouls and missed shots started to mount for the Falcons, as KCC scored the next three from the line to make it 59-46 with around 5 minutes left. Fertile-Beltrami switched to a man-to-man defense after they scored a layup and called a timeout with about 4:30 remaining, but they were unable to close the gap after several empty possessions. The Falcons only allowed two points in that stretch, and hit another close-range shot to cut KCC’s lead to 60-50 with 1:45 left. The Bearcats would pile onto their lead late, with a Vig dunk coming as the dagger, as the Bearcats won 67-51.

Kittson County Central improves to 22-7 on the year and will face Red Lake County in the Section 8A Championship Friday night. Fertile-Beltrami finishes 24-6 on the year and says goodbye to Caleb Stoltman, Kolby Hemmah, Matthew Leiser, and Easton Petry.