KNIGHTED

The four-five matchup in a district tournament always seems to be a toss-up. It always seems to be one of the most competitive and exciting games of any bracket.

And the four-five matchup in the opening round of the 2020 District 9C boys basketball tournament was no different, as the fifth-seeded North Star Knights edged the fourth-seeded Box Elder Bears 59-56 inside the Havre High gymnasium Wednesday afternoon.

"I'm proud of these boys," North Star head coach Cody Donoven said as his Knights advanced to tonight's semifinal against top-seeded Fort Benton. "I wouldn't trade these kids for anyone else."

He certainly wouldn't trade Payne Ditmar, who buried a huge 3-pointer to break open a 45-45 tie with just under four minutes left in the game. Ditmar would also score four points down the stretch as the Knights outscored the Bears by six in the final four minutes.

"It's amazing," Ditmar said of his run at the end of the game. "That three felt good when I let it go. I thought it was for sure going in. This just feels really good. Our team really pulled through."

The Knights did pull through, because Box Elder, in Jeremy MacDonald's first 9C game in four years, never went away, including having a chance at a game-tying trey at the end of regulation. That shot was not to be, though, and it completed a stellar comeback by the Knights, who trailed at halftime.

"I think probably our experience was the biggest factor in this game," Donoven said. "They're (Bears) a young team, and they're going to be really good in a couple of years. But we start three seniors and two juniors, and those guys have been through this before. I think our senior leadership was big today."

The Knights came up big time and time again. They started the game on a 6-0 run, but back-to-back buckets from Kadyn Duran helped Box Elder pull even at 12-12.

In the second quarter, Jayden Jilot and Zander Parisian sparkled in a 7-0 Box Elder run, and while Hayden Massar scored on the inside late in the half, the Bears took a 27-23 lead into halftime.

North Star responded early in the third period, though. Behind steals, layups and a couple big plays by veteran Caden Rettig, the Knights ripped off a 15-5 run to take the lead, but Box Elder never folded. The Bears tied the game up just before Ditmar scored down low at the buzzer, giving North Star a 41-39 lead with eight minutes left, and from there, it set up the wild finish.

"Just a ton of adrenaline," Ditmar said of the exciting game. "You always dream about playing in games like this in the 9C tournament. It was really fun."

Ditmar was huge for the Knights with 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Rettig and Massar each added 10. Gavin and Garrett Spicher also made huge plays down the stretch, and combined for 12 more points, while the Knights overcame 26 turnovers, which were forced by Box Elder's stellar pressure defense.

Now of course, the Knights (10-8) get their third crack at unbeaten Fort Benton. They'll meet up tonight at 7 with a spot in the championship game on the line.

"Obviously, trying to shut down the Diekhans brothers is big," Donoven said of the matchup with the Longhorns. "Fort Benton is a really good team, and we'll be big underdogs in that game. But that's the way we like it. We play our best when we're in that role."

Box Elder (8-11), meanwhile, got 14 points from Duran, as well as 13 from Gabe Saddler. The Bears had to play Turner in a loser-out game this morning to keep their season alive.

North Star 59, Box Elder 56

Box Elder 12 15 12 17 - 56

North Star 12 11 18 18 - 59

North Star - Austin Hansen 2, Caden Rettig 10, Garrett Spicher 6, Payne Ditmar 15, Hayden Massar 12, Gavin Spicher 6, Jaden Sargent 4, Rhett Wolery 4. Totals: 25/54 7/29.

Box Elder - Jayden Jilot 12, Gabe Saddler 13, Zander Parisian 2, Kayden Duran 14, Tyrus LaMere 3, Malique Rosette 2, Tayce St. Pierre 9, Chris Burns 1. Totals: 20/55 14/26.

3-pointers: Box Elder (Duran 1, St. Pierre 1), North Star (Spicher 1, Ditmar 1). Fouls: Box Elder 21, North Star 19. Fouled out: Massar.