On the glass Cardinal Jon Bristow (42) and Park Rapids Panther Dillon Theis were both high in the air after the ball in this action in the Cardinals 76-45 victory Friday night, Feb. 19. (Staples World photo by Ken Klose) Staples Motley, facing a tough schedule in the coming two weeks, had a 1-1 week, downing Park Rapids 76-45 Friday night, but losing a close game in overtime to the Breckenridge Cowboys, 62-59.

The two games Friday and Saturday nights were a sharp contrast, with the suspense level of the Park Rapids game ending after the opening tip-off. Staples Motley was up 13-5 within four minutes and 23-10 midway through the first half over winless Park Rapids.

The Cards were ahead 41-21 at half after the starters sat out the final three minutes.

The second half found bench players seeing more playing time than normal. The game ended with Derek Wolhowe the leading scorer for the Cards with 14 points, with Isaac Fuhrman adding 11. The cards shot 44 percent from the field, making nine of 30 three point attempts., with Furhman leading with three and Jordan Riewer credited for two.

It was the Card’s ninth straight victory, but it was the last one for last week. At Breck, the Cards were up against a 17-4 team looking for it’s fourth straight win and one that wanted a third win against a Sub Section 6 AA foe.

The Cards had trouble stopping Cowboy Joe Terfehr, who scored half of their points in the 62-59 overtime victory over the Cardinals. He had six 3-pointers among his 31 points.

Jason Johnson and Jordan Riewer each scored 17 points for the Cardinal cause, with 13 points coming from Wolhowe and 10 from Jon Bristow.

It was a close game throughout, Cardinal head coach Lynn Peterson said. Breck led 24 -23 at halftime.

The Cards came back in the second half to lead by as much as six points, but the Cowboys came back to tie it.

In the overtime the lead went back and forth but the Cowboys outscored the Cards 9-6.

Morris currently leads in the Section 6AA west standings with a 19-1 record and 9-1 in the section. Staples Motley is now 4-1 in sub section games, while Breckenridge is 3-1. SM has a 16-4 overall record and Breck was 17-4 after their win.

Tough ‘D’ Cardinal Derek Wolhowe kept a close eye on the Panther with the ball as teammate Brandon Larson (background waits to help out. (Staples World photo by Ken Klose) In the east Sub Section 6AA standings, New London Spicer had a 21-1 mark and was 9-0 in their sub section play. Albany is 18- 2 and 11-2 among section foes.

This week should see some more very good basketball action, with Grand Rapids here Tuesday night, C-I coming to town for a big Mid State Conference showdown Friday night and Pelican Rapids here for a Saturday night clash.

Boys results

Feb. 19 Park Rapids 21 24 - 45

Staples Motley 41 35 - 76

Park Rapids (45): Mitch Long 6, Taylor Kimball 6, Paul Dirks 13, Roth Mattson 2, Max Brown 2, Dillon Theis 6, Christopher Goppelrud 4, Ryan Peterson 6. Three-point baskets: 4 (Dirks 3, Kimball 1).

Up in the air Cardinal Jordan Riewer leaped high in a defensive move, only to find a Park Rapids player getting a steal and going the opposite direction. (Staples World photo by Ken Klose) Staples Motley (76): Trevor Wentworth 7, Jason Johnson 6, Jordan Peterson 5, Derek Wolhowe 14, Zach Israelson 2, Isaac Fuhrman 11, Jordan Riewer 8, Brandon Larson 4, Jon Bristow 8, Colton Hill 2, Alex Jansson 3, Zach Borders 4, Jordan Jenkins 2. FT 11-21 (52 percent), Threepoint baskets: Furhman 3, Riewer 2, J. Peterson 1, Wolhowe 1, Jansson 1, Borders 1.

Feb. 20 Breckenridge 23 30 9 - 62

Staples Motley 24 29 6 - 59

Breckenridge (62): Joe Johnson 8, Dylan Summerville 8, Ryan Voss 3, Nic Conzemius 7, Walker Busse 5, Joe Terfehr 31. Three-point baskets: 10 (Terfehr 6, Busse, Conzemius, Voss, Summerville). Overall: 18-4.

Staples Motley (59): Gunner Johnson 2, Jason Johnson 17, Derek Wolhowe 13, Jordan Riewer 17, Jon Bristow 10. FT 8-13 (62 percent), Three-point baskets: 5 (Riewer 3, Wolhowe 2).