Livin' on a Prayer

The Bon Jovi super hit "Livin' on a Prayer" can perfectly encapsulate what happened this past week for Bottineau area teams as they made their way through the playoffs.

Last week I took in a Region 6 Championship runner-up finish by the Westhope-Newburg boy's basketball team, as well as a  Region XIII Championship victory by the Dakota College at Bottineau Ladyjacks. I also witnessed a grueling loss in the 19U State Championship by the Bottineau Stars. Lastly, I took in the second round of the District 11 girls basketball tournament in which both Bottineau and Westhope-Newburg participated.

For this week I'll be heading out to Dunseith for the district's final games for the girls. Other than that I have a couple features that I'm working on and closely following the Ladyjacks game this weekend in Nebraska.

Only two weeks until March Madness descends on my life. Here are many pictures from the past week:

Bottineau Stars senior Ashley Blue nabs a puck from a Richland defender in last Sunday's 19U title game.

Stars junior Bailey Neubauer attempts a shot over an outstretched defender.

Natalie Bahr is muscled off the puck by a big Rangers defender.

Bahr hustles down the ice with the puck.

Blue streaks down the ice.

From left: Neubauer, Blue and Karlee McCloud celebrate after Blue's first period goal.

Stars goaltender Jacie Ceglowski knocks down a high shot.

Blue finds the back of the net in the first period.

Blue looks for a teammate.

Dakota College at Bottineau fans hold up their hands as a Ladyjacks attempts a free throw.

McCloud tries to handle a puck inside the offensive zone last Sunday. 

Neubauer blazes down the ice with a defender chasing her.

Ladyjacks head coach Wayne Johnson talks to Megan Green during last Monday's 73-71 victory over Gogebic College.

Fans and players celebrate after the Ladyjacks narrow victory.

Fans and players unite at center court after the big win.

Fans celebrate at center court after the Ladyjacks won by two.

Junior Megan Saville lobs a pass to break a press last Saturday in the second round of the district tournament.

Courtney Gallagher eyes the ball shortly before going up for a layup.

Kennedy Olson fights for a loose ball with a Raider player last Saturday in Dunseith.

Megan Fix looks to pass.

Westhope-Newburg sophomore Lauren Mach fights with Paige Brabandt in last Saturday's loser-out game.

Sioux guard Ashlyn Huber strips Myrena Denselbeck in the first half.

Mach attempts to save the ball before sliding out of bounds.

Mach eyes the hoop before sinking a jumper.

Sophomore Molly Lodoen calls out a play.

Senior Bailey Tofteland fights with Sawyer's Madilyn Kraft.

Sioux junior Hunter Braaten pokes the ball away from Chris Hamilton during last Thursday's region title game.

Both Kodie Hancock (left) and Hunter Braaten (right) look on after the opening tip is batted down court.

Braaten flips up a pass in the first half.

Junior Ethan Miller tries to shoot for two with hands in his face.

The Sioux fans cheer during a time out.

Miller wrestles with Rugby senior Kyle Lovcik for possession.

Hancock launches a three ball.