New England secured its first district victory of the season with a 64-58 win over Richardton-Taylor on March 16, 2024. The game, held in Richardton, North Dakota, showcased the resilience of senior player Gage Madler, who has battled through multiple injuries this season, including a lingering shoulder injury sustained at the Roughrider Tournament.
Madler’s performance was pivotal, as he contributed 22 points, most of which came during a crucial second half. New England built a significant lead, reaching a 14-point advantage at one point during the third quarter. However, Richardton-Taylor mounted a strong comeback in the fourth quarter, narrowing the score to 56-55 with just under two minutes left on the clock.
In a critical moment, Madler secured the lane and executed a short layup, extending the Tigers’ lead. He then assisted teammate Jordan Jung, who scored off the glass, effectively sealing the game at 60-55. “Once we finally got locked in, everything started to work out,” Madler reflected. “My team was doing a really good job at working the ball inside.”
New England faced an early challenge as they fell behind 16-5, largely due to the impressive performance of Richardton-Taylor’s guard Kyler Krank, who scored 12 points in the first quarter alone. The Tigers, however, maintained their composure and gradually chipped away at the deficit, finding their rhythm in the second quarter.
Coach Scott Jung noted the importance of this balanced performance, stating, “We put up 64 points—that’s a lot for us—but I thought we really played well defensively.” The Tigers’ offense had previously struggled, but this game marked a turning point for the team.
Richardton-Taylor, despite the loss, demonstrated tenacity and skill. Krank led the Raiders with a total of 23 points and kept his team competitive throughout the match. The Raiders were without one of their leading scorers, Chase Christensen, which made their comeback attempt even more notable. Coach Kari Dohrmann praised his team’s intensity, saying, “Our fight was always there… I thought we played well and it was one of our better games.”
Looking ahead, New England will enter District 7 play with upcoming matchups against Belfield and South Heart. Meanwhile, Richardton-Taylor will face Hettinger-Scranton and Bowman County. Madler expressed optimism for future games, stating, “Tonight was definitely a good one for us… I think tonight is our turnaround point.”
This victory not only boosts the Tigers’ confidence but also sets the stage for an exciting remainder of the season as both teams strive to improve and make their mark in the district.
