Ravaging repeat: HCV beats Bishop Ryan for second straight state title

Minot Daily News

Photo by Al Christianson.

BISMARCK — A year ago, the Hillsboro/Central Valley Burros needed a splash of heroics — Kyle Henningsgard’s hitting a game-winning 3-pointer — to win a state championship. Bishop Ryan nearly one upped them Saturday evening at the Bismarck Event Center in one of the craziest comebacks ever in the Class B state tournament. Yet, another 3-pointer from the corner as the clock was expiring — this time by HCV senior Ryan Troftgruben — lifted the No. 1-seeded Burros (26-1) to a second straight state championship. The shot left the Lions (25-3) stunned, 73-71, in overtime.

“A dream come true,” Troftgruben said, who finished with 11 points. “I was thinking I’m going to make this shot and I’m going to be the hero.” Hillsboro has now won six state titles, doing so by matching its back-to-back title run from 1973 and 1974. Central Valley has been a part of three state champions (2018, 2017 and 1993). “We made it exciting again,” HCV coach Elliot Rotvold said. “I got to give all the credit in the world to Minot Ryan. The shots (Mason) Hedberg and (Ben) Bohl made there to get back in the game. We squandered the lead, but give them credit for fighting to the end.” After coming back from 10 points down in the final 1:10 of regulation, the Lions’ hopes of winning the program’s first state title since 1994 were dashed on another Burros’ miracle shot. “That’s a tough way to lose,” first-year Ryan coach Jeremy Feller said. “A wide-open three. Two years in a row they win on a buzzer beater. Kudos to them, a great basketball team.” The Burros drew first blood 1:47 into the contest on a 3-pointer by sophomore guard Carson Henningsgard. HCV senior Guy Suchor also hit from distance, but that was matched with a rare triple from senior forward Chris Sowitch. He flung a massive fist pump in response at the top of the arc. Yet, a three-point play by HCV senior 6-foot-5 forward Jack Camrud swung momentum again. Camrud finished with a double-double (15 points and 17 rebounds). Enter Ryan’s hero from the semifinal contest, junior Mason Hedberg, who dropped in an NBA-range 3-pointer to pick up where he left off the day before when he cashed in seven 3-pointers. Burros led 15-10 after the first quarter. The two teams traded the first few baskets of the second frame before Ryan senior Jacob Lizotte drew a three-point play, but he missed the free throw. Ryan junior guard Ben Bohl banked in a 3-pointer with three minutes left in the first half to draw the Lions within two points at 23-21. Bohl had a team-high 24 points. Trying to slow down Camrud in the paint, Bohl pinched down to double and was burned by leaving his man Henningsgard alone in the corner for three. Henningsgard’s two threes helped him to 7 points in the first half, only to be outdone by Camrud (9) and Ryan senior Anthony Vetter (8) pounding in the post. Camrud also pulled down 12 rebounds in the first 16 minutes. Shooting 50 percent (11-for-22), the Burros led 29-23 at halftime. HCV senior forward Cade Baesler and Camrud continued to rip apart the middle of Ryan’s defense in the second half. An up-and-under move by Camrud had the Burros up 37-30 with 4:43 left in the third quarter. A minute later, Troftgruben made a three from the left corner, stole the ball as Ryan tried to get it up the floor quickly and made two free throws after being fouled on the fast break layup attempt, 44-31. Getting into the bonus early, combined with full-court press, sparked an 8-0 run that allowed Ryan to get back within five. The fouls then started to go against Ryan, much to the dismay of the vocal Lions supporters late in the third, and the Burros took a 48-41 lead to the fourth. Trailing by 10 points with 1:10 remaining, 61-51, Ryan unleashed some Class B magic. Forcing steals with a full-court press, Bohl and Hedberg made the Burros pay with memorable 3-pointers to eventually tie the score at 63-63 with 5.5 seconds left. “People were leaving,” Feller said. “They were counting us out. We don’t count ourselves out until the game is over. Kudos to the kids for that effort.” Hedberg finished with 21 points; Vetter had 16. In overtime, the Lions held a 71-68 lead before Bergstrom made a basket inside and the Burros forced a steal. With three seconds left, Troftgruben found himself open in the corner on a drive-and-kick by Henningsgard. Henningsgard finished with a team-high 22 points, but will be remembered for dishing out the game-winning assist. “I said here is what we are going to do,” Rotvold said in the final timeout with under 20 seconds left. “Carson (Henningsgard) we are putting it your hands and Troft in the corner. Carson you make the decision. Unbelievable that he had enough trust in Ryan (Troftgruben). Make or miss that shot, that just goes to show what teamwork is all about.” Just like the year before, the corner-pocket three went in and the celebration commenced.