Sports News

With just one game remaining on their schedule, the Hillsboro Burro boys basketball team will start preparing Tuesday for the District 3 basketball tournament, starting next Friday at Mayville.
The Burros, who hosted Larimore last night at the Events Center, play at Halstad Monday night in the last regular season game on the 2006-2007 schedule. The Burros haven’t played either team this year.
Hillsboro, 2-6 conference, 5-12 overall before last night’s game with the Polar Bears, can expect a six or seven seed in the district tournament.
The final finish in District 3 is “up in the air,” according to Hillsboro coach Elliot Rotvold.
It matters little who the Burros play in the post-season, Rotvold hinted.
“We match up against any of the (District 3) top five seeds.”
Rotvold would like to hit the district tourney running and riding a 2-game winning streak.
“It’s important to try get momentum into the tournaments.”
He’s telling his team: “We need to believe we can beat teams, not just play with them.”
The Burros last year lost to Larimore and beat Norman County West.

Ocean’s 8
The Burros played well defensively in their 43-35 loss to the Hatton-Northwood Thunder Friday night.
“But we couldn’t throw it in the ocean,” commented Rotvold.
The Burros had the shots, said their coach. “We just didn’t make them.”
The team’s effort was good, Rotvold tells. “We couldn’t finish.”
Freshman Zach Grothmann and Brian Smelden each had 10 points for the Burros.
Trailing 21-12 at halftime, the Burros matched the Thunder basket for basket in the second half.
“We had a chance to cut into the lead but we couldn’t capitalize,” Rotvold explained. Five straight possessions couldn’t produce points.
Gus Kueber scored 14 points to lead the Thunder.

Close but no cigar
Hillsboro pushed Dakota Prairie into overtime before losing 48-47 last Thursday at McVille.
The Burros had chances to win the game in regulation and again in overtime. A long shot at the final buzzer bounced off the rim.
The Burro coach appreciated his team’s effort.
“We were very patient offensively and we played excellent defense. A key was taking care of the ball against their pressure.”
Jamie Horne pitched in 16 points in the game to lead all Burro scorers. Aaron Meyer added 11 points.
The Burros had a 20-18 lead at halftime. The game in regulation time ended in a 41-41 tie
The District 3 tournament at the Lewy Lee Fieldhouse on the Mayville State campus runs through Monday.
The March 5-8 Region 2 tourney will be played at The Betty in Grand Forks.