Potter-Dix rolls over Wildcats

What might have been a battle quickly became a rout.

After a minute of sparring on Tuesday night in Potter, Coyotes' guard  Bryant Knigge pulled off an acrobatic layup, giving the hosts a 5-4 lead. Trevor Harms followed with a power move from the low post and Cameron Purcell sank an open jumper.

Potter-Dix never looked back on their way to a 67-42 pasting of Banner County in the opening round of the MAC tournament.

"We need to come out intense," Knigge said. "We did that today."

The Coyotes jumped out on top 19-9 after one and kept up the pace through the second, raising the stakes to 41-16 at the break.

For the senior guard Knigge, the evening at times seemed more like a shoot around. After a routine start, he racked up 9 points in a torrid stretch that consumed just 3:20 from the start of the second quarter. Jake Johnson added two on a power drive during that span.

Moments later Kelsey Rozelle, Trace Sharman, Knigge and Tyler Magninie added to the run-amounting to a 19-2 spree.

Rozelle's contribution came after a deft steal. He picked Banner County's pocket and raced back up court for an easy layup.

"I got the ball and looked up to see if anyone was open," Rozelle explained. One he made the decision to take it home himself, a string of blue jerseys trailing in pursuit became his biggest concern.

"I was just hoping no one would block it," he added.

Although the Wildcats brought a noticeable height advantage over all but Harms into the contest, only Tyson Dahlgrin challenged Potter-Dix in the early going. The junior was directly responsible for almost half of Banner County's points on the night, accounting for 20 of 42.

But there were just too many Coyotes on the prowl Tuesday evening. Nine Potter-Dix players lit the scoreboard, with Johnson joining Knigge in the double digits.

"Everyone was playing good," Johnson said with a smile. "I had to do my part."

 As the second period wound down, Sharman parked beyond the arc and drained a three.

"I should've drove," he admitted. "But I felt open and just threw it up."

Despite a brief flurry from the visitors after the break, including 6 points from Dahlgrin. an old-fashioned three point play-a layup and bonus-from Ben Hostetler and a Mike McKown jumper, Potter-Dix matched the Wildcats point for point the rest of the way.

With the win, the Coyotes earn a trip to Sidney on Thursday, where they will face number one seed Minatare, unbeaten on the season. Minatare received a first round bye.

But with a road win at Hay Springs and an dominating performance in the conference opener under their belts, Potter-Dix appeared confident advancing to the next bracket.

"We're looking at the number one seed," Knigge acknowledged. "But we match up well. We can play with anybody."

Despite last Friday's setback in the rivalry game against Leyton, the Coyotes are off to a strong 2014. Tuesday's win just adds to the sense of possibility.

"We came out aggressive," Sharman said. "If we can keep it up, we have a good chance."

Johnson agreed.

"Minatare is a good team, but we have a good group of guys," he said.

Boys Basketball

Potter-Dix 67

Banner Co. 42