No. 2 Hawks Survive the Mighty Mavs

Horace, ND - It was opening weekend for Class AA basketball in North Dakota, and fans were treated to two days packed with high-energy EDC vs. WDA battles. Prep Hoops Dakotas made its way back to Horace on Saturday afternoon for a rare and welcome opportunity to watch Dickinson hoop live and the Mavs absolutely delivered. Both teams entered the matchup 1–0 after impressive Friday wins: Horace rolled past Minot, and Dickinson knocked off #5 West Fargo. The stage was set for an early-season clash that felt every bit like a postseason preview.   The Hawks carried the momentum early. Horace dictated the pace in the first half, staying a step ahead every time Dickinson threatened to close the gap. The Mavs hung around, stayed within striking distance, and made Horace work for everything, but the Hawks still took a four-point lead into halftime. The second half opened with another exchange of baskets, neither squad giving an inch. Then Dickinson's defensive wrinkles, their well-timed junk looks, began to pay off. Horace settled for more jump shots, the Mavs cleaned up the glass, and [player_tooltip player_id='1510889' first='Boston' last='Cranston'] was getting loose in for drives and deep triples. Combined with steady slashes and penetration, Dickinson built a cushion and looked poised to take control of the game.   But the afternoon took a turn. At the 15:06 mark, [player_tooltip player_id='1531066' first='Cameron' last='Wolf'] went down with an ankle injury and did not return. Dickinson held strong for a stretch, but everything shifted again when Cranston fouled out with 6:08 left. That's when Horace flipped the switch. The Hawks went into full attack mode, pushing the ball, crashing the offensive glass, and turning steals into quick scores. Dickinson kept battling, and some unexpected contributors stepped up and hit big shots to keep the Mavs alive, the closing minutes became pure nail-biting basketball. And with the game hanging in the balance, junior [player_tooltip player_id='1651919' first='Ryder' last='Majkrzak'] stepped into the corner and buried the shot of the day: a clutch triple that gave Horace the lead and ultimately sealed a wild, emotional comeback win.   Several storylines stood out. Dickinson's defensive game plan was excellent; they were physical with [player_tooltip player_id='1327797' first='Carter' last='Evanson'], stayed attached to shooter [player_tooltip player_id='1541297' first='Kaiden' last='Peterson'], and forced the Hawks into stretches of tough jumpers. Horace countered with effort plays: offensive rebounds, timely steals, and sharp cuts that led to momentum-changing buckets. Both squads showed real grit, trading momentum swings and fighting through adversity from the opening tip to the final possession. [player_tooltip player_id='1680906' first='Aiden' last='Green'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1651919' first='Ryder' last='Majkrzak'] proved to be high-pressure performers, while [player_tooltip player_id='3183858' first='Tristan' last='Orton'] impressed with some unexpected three-point shooting. Green was a perfect 10/10 from the charity stripe.   Both teams are going to be dangerous as the season unfolds, and let's hope for good news on [player_tooltip player_id='1531066' first='Cameron' last='Wolf']'s ankle—he's an important piece for Dickinson. With the talent, toughness, and competitive fire shown on Saturday, it wouldn't be surprising at all to see these two meet again at the State Tournament.   Best of luck to the Hawks and Mavericks as the season moves on.   Up Next: 12/12 Dickinson hosts Shanley & 12/16 Horace hosts WF Sheyenne   See below for player notes...   Scores & Stats   1st Half: Horace 46 Dickinson 42   Final: Horace 87 Dickinson 85   FT's: Horace 21/24 Dickinson 12/21   2FGM: Horace 18 Dickinson 17   3FGM: Horace 10 Dickinson 13   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/image_405d8e.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/image_405d8e.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3183516" style="width:339px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Dickinson Mavericks    -33 points, 5/6 FT's, 6 triples   -4 three-pointers in the 2nd half   -Lefty/southpaw   -Aggressive slasher but also a lethal shooter   -Deadly from deep & he got to the rim often   -Drive through traffic, dump-down bounce pass to Nate S for 2, great pass   -Slash early, score at the cup   -Hustled back on D, blocked a shot off the backboard   -At the FT-line often in the first half   -Fooled the D with a shimmy & shake, smooth finish at the hoop   -Sweet lefty finger-roll over the defense   -Showed a killer spin-move, smart/clever with pivots   -Buzzer beater slash & score before halftime, drove across paint, lefty finish   -Catch & shoot triple early in the 2nd half   -Crafty inside score around the hoop   -Smoking hot in 2nd half   -Hit from deeeeep   -Cashed from NBA range   -Showed off his shooters touch with a 3, took the lead 55-53 w/ 13:40 remaining   -He was marvelous today, impressive performance   -Fouled out at 6:08     -10 points, 2 triples   -Important player for the Mavs, they need his length/size & versatility   -Clever steal in help-side defense   -Fluid catch & shoot triple from the top of the key   -Interior score late 1st half to answer a Hawks bucket, kept it close   -Cashed a triple early in the 2nd half   -Never really had a chance to get rolling   -Injured at 15:06, did not come back in the game   -PHD hope for a speedy recovery     -12 points, 0/2 FT's, 4 triples   -Nice size, lanky 6'2"   -All of his triples came via catch & shoot   -Hit some clutch shots, multiple triples late in the game   -He even banked in a triple when the Mavs really needed a bucket   -I am interested to see if he will consistently hit 3's this season     -5 points, 1/2 FT's   -Super patient score in the many, used many pivots to create space   -Hit 1 of 2 FT's with 5:30 left on the clock   -Inside-hand score in the 2nd half   -Snagged a big O-board late for an extra possession     -4 points, 0/3 FT's   -Played his heart out on defense   -High effort, gritty player   -Chased and denied Evanson   -Even when scored on, he kept coming every possession   -Scoop & score shot over the D from a tough angle, high arcing kiss off glass     -5 points, 2/3 FT's, 1 triple   -Looks bigger/longer since I saw him live last   -Moves well, rangy, nice athlete   -Good-looking shot   -Baseline attack, shot, miss, O-board, fouled on putback, nice work staying w/ it   -Hit his 3-ball from the left corner, smooth in catch & shoot   -Did all his scoring in the first half     -14 points, 4/5 FT's   -Would not be surprised if he ended with a Double-Double   -Gobbled up the O-boards   -Plays bigger than his listed height   -Muscled up & strong, physical, powerful   -Smart kickout assist to Wolf for a triple   -Aggressive & persistent rebounder   -Catch & score on the block, good hands   -O-board on a teammates missed FT, shot fake to fool 2 D, putback bucket   -SLOB score when Hawks were not ready after the Wolf injury   -O-board putback, great timing   -O-board with 4 Hawks around him, fouled on putback, 2/2 from FT-line   -Attack late, fouled at the rim. 2/2 FT's clutch with 59.9 secs on clock     -2 points   -Took a charge in the first half   -Took a charge in the second half   -Paint score late, big buckets for the Mavs when short-handed    Horace Hawks    -21 points, 10/10 FT's, 1 triple   -He was a whistle collector today   -Lefty layup to draw first blood, slipped to the hoop, caught & finished   -Got his confidence going early from the line, he was hitting nothing but net   -Impressed me with his lefty inside-out move   -More FT's in 2nd half, has ice in his veins   -Smart about drawing contact when going up for shots   -Does not shy away from the D   -Nice BLOB assist to a cutting teammate   -Drive & score the hoop during the comeback, cut the lead to 2 pts   -Hit a monster pull-up 3-ball late to close the gap to 1 point     -25 points, 6/8 FT's, 1 triples   -They hounded him all game   -Showed his creative scoring   -Showed his nose for the ball when snagging an O-board, putback score   -Drive, spin, change speed, pull-up from 16' for 2 pts, can't stop that move   -Got a friendly roll on multiple occasions   -Press steal, scored/finished as he was falling down   -Cash money from left wing, catch & shoot 3   -Hit 2/2 FT's late first half to help extend the lead before the break   -Backdoor cut & finish, AND1, hit FT for the 3point play   -Another O-board, AND1 putback   -Showed that he is an all-around scorer   -Picked off pass late, coast-to-coast push, 1/2 FT's   -Slash & score, big bucket, cut the lead to 2 points   -Runner in traffic when the comeback was on, super tough shot w/ D in face     -12 points, 2/2 FT's, 2 triples   -Long & versatile, scores from multi levels & defends multiple positions   -Interior score for his first points   -Both his 3-ball came from the left wing, catch & shoot   -Brett L had a sweet assist on one of the trips   -Showed the shooter's touch roll when making a FT   -Soft touch shooter, nice follow-through, reaches into the cookie jar   -Picked off a pass in the pain, clear instincts   -Took charge at 4:28 in 2nd half, big stop & turnover     -8 points, 2/2 FT's, 2 triples   -Hit a three in each half   -Sharp assist to Evanson for a 3-pointer   -2/2 from the FT-line to tie the game up, 1:34 on the clock, 80-80   -Drained the go-ahead triple when down by 1-point, left corner cash!   -Apparently, he Ryder is a clutch performer, rises to the occasion     -7 points, 1 triple   -The BIG man impressed me early with his passing   -Dime assist to start the game on the Green slip   -Unselfish extra pass to Little Larry for a 3   -Showed impressive hang time when scoring in transition   -Post catch & score over the defense   -Powerful athlete   -Would have liked to see him get more paint touches     -11 points, 1/2 FT's, 2 triples   -Found creative ways to score   -BLOB cut & finish   -Aggressive O-board   -Scored in transition   -Drive, attack, fouled, showing that he is not a "dead 3"   -Both 3's came via catch & shoot   -The Dickinson D gave him a good amount of attention, he did get loose for 2 trips    <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/image_9d4786.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/image_9d4786.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3183523" /></a></figure>

Horace, ND - It was opening weekend for Class AA basketball in North Dakota, and fans were treated to two days packed with high-energy EDC vs. WDA battles. Prep Hoops Dakotas made its way back to Horace on Saturday afternoon for a rare and welcome opportunity to watch Dickinson hoop live and the Mavs absolutely delivered. Both teams entered the matchup 1–0 after impressive Friday wins: Horace rolled past Minot, and Dickinson knocked off #5 West Fargo. The stage was set for an early-season clash that felt every bit like a postseason preview.