Friday Night Lights: Horace vs. Minot

Horace, ND - Opening night of high school basketball in North Dakota delivered everything fans could hope for with energy, noise, and plenty of fireworks. Prep Hoops Dakotas (PHD) made the trip to Horace to watch the No. 2 Hawks square off with the Minot Magicians, a matchup that had fans buzzing. PHD loves watching when the EDC and WDA collide early in the season. Minot hit the floor with a fresh look under longtime North Dakota coach Jeremy Brandt, who was making his debut with the Magi and rolling out a brand-new starting lineup. On the other side, Horace returned an experienced roster and expectations were high that the Hawks would push the tempo and light up the scoreboard. That's exactly what happened!   The first half played out as a true heavyweight exchange. Minot matched Horace shot for shot and even took a one-point lead into halftime, showing poise and toughness against a veteran Hawks squad. But the second half belonged to the Hawks. Horace unleashed its zone press, and that adjustment completely shifted the game's energy. The pressure forced a string of turnovers, fueled transition buckets, and opened the door for several timely triples. With momentum fully in their corner, the Hawks steadily built separation and ultimately pulled away for a 91–81 win. Minot never folded, they kept swinging even as Horace's defense tightened, but the avalanche of transition points in the second half proved to be the difference. It's clear that under Brandt's leadership, the Magicians have plenty of potential, and it wouldn't be surprising to see these two meet again at the State Tournament.   Several storylines stood out. Minot appeared to keep the rotation tight, playing only seven guys unless someone checked in late that I missed. [player_tooltip player_id='1327797' first='Carter' last='Evanson'] was spectacular, pouring in 42 points with 29 coming after the break. Evanson was also impressive passing the rock. [player_tooltip player_id='1657452' first='Jalen' last='Gunville'] was lights-out from deep, hitting six threes and looking automatic every time he rose up. [player_tooltip player_id='2132837' first='Drew' last='Jordan'] and Gunville were crucial in keeping Minot within striking distance. [player_tooltip player_id='2338190' first='Tayvin' last='Archer'] impressed in his first viewing. On the other side, [player_tooltip player_id='1651918' first='Brett' last='Livingston'] was a force inside for the #2 ranked Hawks. He looked every bit like a double-double machine and threw down multiple two-handed WHAMS that showcased his athleticism and motor. Kk ([player_tooltip player_id='1541297' first='Kaiden' last='Peterson']) played a big hand in the momentous second half with multiple timely triples.   Next up, Horace hosts Dickinson on Saturday afternoon, while Minot heads to West Fargo. There will be two more exhilarating early-season EDC vs. WDA showdowns tomorrow (12/6/25).   See below for Player Notes...   Scores & Stats   1st Half: Horace 41 Minot 42   Final: Horace 91 Minot 81   FT's: Horace 13/19 Minot 12/15   2FGM: Horace 27 Minot 15   3FGM: Horace 8 Minot 13   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PlayerNotes.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PlayerNotes.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2302277" style="width:355px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Horace Hawks    42 points, 4/5 FT's, 3 triples   -29 points in the 2nd half   -He did whatever he wanted, especailly in the 2nd half   -When the Magi got tired, he got to the rim often   -Hit a 3-ball early   -Slashed & scored several times throughout the game   -Multiple dunks, 5 or 6 slams?   -High-riser, threw down with authority   -Drive & dish, drew help & dropped the dimes   -AND1 score after contact, hit FT for a 3-point play in 1st half   -Sneaky O-board, snuck behind the Magi, poked out & finished quickly   -Drive, sick spin-move, easy score   -Multiple transition score & dunks   -Had some impresive double-pump slams   -Cut & score at the hoop   -Unselfish assists   -Drove, drew help, found the open man   -Elite finisher   -Excellent transition dime to KK   -Nice pass to Little Larry for a score   -Found Hjelmstad   -Easy$ is going to have a gaudy stat line   -Kickout assist to Green for a 3   -Easy to see he is a D1 athlete   -Not sure how you slow him down, Evanson is going to put up scary numbers     -6 points, 2/2 FT's   -Inside score, Easy$ with the assist   -VB swat in transition D, looked like he was playing sand volleyball   -Loose ball steal   -Interior score early in the 2nd half   -Didn't force shots, took what the D gave him   -Another blocked shot, great instincts   -2/2 FT's late     -10 points, 1/3 FT's, 1 triple   -I am interested in hearing how many assists he had   -Threw some nice passes in transition   -Excellent pass in up-tempo to Livingston for a dunk   -Fueled the run in the 2nd half with many steals   -No wonder he is a lockdown DB, he is a ball-hawk   -Amazing reactions, hands, and closing time   -Show the range with a triple   -Created havoc on defense   -Sweet kickout assist to KK     -18 points, 2/2 FT's, 4 triples   -3-pointer left corner in the first half, effortless release   -Quick trigger 3-ball from the right corner   -Transition score, Easy$ with the assist   -Shooters touch 3ball in the 2nd half, too soft to not go down   -3-pointer from the right wing in the 2nd half   -Inside hand finish at the hoop late     -12 points, 4/4 FT's   -2-handed dunk to start the Hawk scoring   -HUSTLER, no problem diving on the court   -Showed perfect timing with multiple blocked shots   -Must have been close to a Double-Double with points & rebounds   -Tough O-board putback in traffic   -Another block, turning in an eraser   -Another O-board putback score   -Power 2-handed JAM in transition   -Looked good from the charity stripe   -Fouled on a putback, went to the line & hit both confidently   -Nose for the ball, stud athlete     -4 points   -Had a nice stretch in the first half   -Evanson hit him for both buckets   -He dished a dime to Evanson for a score   -Hjelmstad did a nice job cutting and reacting when his defender helped   -Forced a TO for a steal    Minot Magicians    -13 points, 1/2 FT's, 2 triples   -Crazy long wingspan   -More bouncy than I thought, threw down windmills in warmups   -Showed his shooting range with a deeeep triple   -Transition score in up-tempo, nice finish with the D in his face   -Smartly used his length to finish over the D   -Easy & soft shot, smooth release, high arcing   -Impressed with his pull-up 3-point shot in transition, makes it look easy   -2-handed JAM late in the game, it was in traffic and super impressive, that one will certainly go on Oak's highlight reel     -19 points, 6/6 FT's, 3 triples   -I have seen him play a few times but tonight was his best showing by far   -Sick spin-move in the mid-paint, pull-up J for 2   -Cashed an NBA 3 in the first half   -Clever steal in full-court pressure, difficult finish with Evanson right on him   -Cash money from the FT-line, confident, textbook shooting form   -Used length to block an Evanson 3-pointer   -Hit another 3-pointer late in the attempted comeback   -Smooth catch-n-shoot triple after Minot broke the press   -Fouled in transition, ran floor hard, hit both at the line   -Kickout dime to Gunville for a 3   -Awesome crackback pass to Gunville for a triple   -Jalen and Drew work/play well together   -Looks like he will have a big year   -Impressive length for a G, allows him to finish around the hoop & get shot off outside     -10 points, 2/3 FT's   -Lefty/southpaw   -Another gifted athlete for the Magi   -Hot start, I believe that he had the first 7 points for MHS   -Slash down the paint, leaning lefty kiss off glass for the 1st score, tough shot   -Another drive early, lefty AND1 finish, hit FT for 3pt play   -Righty score at the cup, nice to see he can finish with both L & R   -Finishes with a soft touch   -Drive & kick, hit Ludwig for a triple   -Multiple other nice assists   -Another AND1 score, athletic finish   -Sweet BLOB assist into a tight window     -14 points, 3/3 FT's, 1 triple   -First time seeing him play and I was impressed   -Absolutely a Stock Riser in the next update   -ATHLETE   -Interior score early   -Smooth, fast, quick, advanced mobility   -Gets to the rim in a hurry, crafty finisher   -Elusive slasher   -Quality coordination with an AND1 score, hit FT for a 3pt play   -High octane slash, fouled, stepped up & hit both   -Baseline drive, bob & weave, nifty high arcing finish, tough angle   -BLOC cut & score   -Catch & shoot triple on an inside-out pass     -18 points, 0/1 FT, 6 triples   -I had heard he was a shooter & Jalen proved that tonight   -Not just a sniper, he is a strong well-put-together guard   -Quick to dive on the floor for a loose ball   -Quick trigger but has good balance, confident   -Hit treys off the catch & dribble   -Has extended deep range   -Threw up a 3 before the shot clock went off, swished the buzzer-beater   -GREAT concentration, hand in face = no problem   -Loved his crack-back cut on a Jordan drive, cut/caught/cashed   -Showed a nice middle drive & kick out to Jordan for a 3   -Horace knew he was a shooter because Gunville did not have much space to operate, and he still drilled 6     -7 points, 1 triple   -Did all his scoring in the first half   -First time seeing him play, looks like a solid role guy   -Strong & physical   -Patient move in the paint, strong finish, nice inside score   -Good feet, showed a sweet step-through, can tell he has quality post moves   -Hustler, blue collar, dove on the floor for a loose ball   -Snagged an O-board   -Hit a triple from the right wing    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/GameReport.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/GameReport.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1735684" /></a></figure>

Horace, ND - Opening night of high school basketball in North Dakota delivered everything fans could hope for with energy, noise, and plenty of fireworks. Prep Hoops Dakotas (PHD) made the trip to Horace to watch the No. 2 Hawks square off with the Minot Magicians, a matchup that had fans buzzing. PHD loves watching when the EDC and WDA collide early in the season. Minot hit the floor with a fresh look under longtime North Dakota coach Jeremy Brandt, who was making his debut with the Magi and rolling out a brand-new starting lineup. On the other side, Horace returned an experienced roster and expectations were high that the Hawks would push the tempo and light up the scoreboard. That's exactly what happened!