Bismarck Lions, Lady Lions roaring with ‘Game Time’ shine for the 2021-2022
BISMARCK — The Bismarck Lions and Lady Lions are roaring to some early season success on the hardwood to tip-off the 2021-2022 year of basketball competition.
GAME TIME—LADY LIONS
The Lady Lions picked up their first season win on the road in a huge 19-point surge against Bearden 46-27, then created a winning-streak defeating Woodlawn and Cutter Morning Star before falling to Harding Academy in tournament play. The Lady Lions displayed a dominant performance in the season-home opener against Mount Ida 53-24, then topped Abundant Life for their biggest win margin of the season—66-26 for the impressive 40-point victory.
While the Lady Lions have shined with productive wins, the team’s ‘Big 3’ Hannah Collie, Victoria Lingo and Kady “KP” Pleasants have taken the lead to roar Bismarck to a plus .500 overall record under the coaching guidance of Brett Barber.
The Lady Lion ‘Big 3’ led the way for double-figure scoring performances in Bismarck’s 29-point win against Mount Ida. Collie led all scorers with a big 16 points and snatched seven rebounds—lingo dropped a productive 14 points and just one rebound shy from a double-double with nine rebounds. KP put together a strong combination of scoring 10 points, grabbing five rebounds and dishing out five assists.
In the Lady Lions victory against Bearden, KP and Lingo led the surge with 16 points apiece for double-figures— Collie added eight points and snatched six rebounds in the Lady Lions 19-point road victory.
Lion “Big 3” Collie and Pleasants led the way in double-figure scoring for Bismarck while Lingo snatched nine rebounds off the glass as the top rebounder. Collie paced the Lady Lions with 14 points, pulled down six rebounds, and had four steals—with KP dropping 13 points.
Also contributing well for the Lady Lions has been Lauryn Ventress posting a strong eight point night in tournament action in Carlisle and Alivia Gordan played big inside the post—snatching eight rebounds against Cutter Morning Star.
GAME TIME— LIONS
The Lions came out sparking to a 2-0 season start under the veteran coaching expertise of head coach Mark Hamby. The Lions debuted with a thrilling one-point victory against the Jessieville Lions 41-40 led by Beau Wesson coasting Bismarck with 13 points for double-figures and snatched eight rebounds off the glass and had three steals. Carson House added 10 points for double-figures with six rebounds, Blake Smith dropped eight points, had a couple of steals, assists and rebounds. Collin Parrie finished with six points with seven rebounds, Wayne Porterfield contributed three points and two assists.
The Lions came out with a tough road victory against Bearden 36-33 for back-to-back victories. Blake Smith and Parrie led the Lions’ spark to post in double-digits—smith paced Bismarck with 13 points with three rebounds and Parrie finished with 10 points, five rebounds and two steals. Eli Vanwie scored five points with three rebounds and two steals. House followed with four points, two steals and two assists. Porterfield also had four points with eight monstrous rebounds and three assists— Wesson led the rebounding war with seven off the glass.
In the Lions season home-opener against Mount Ida, the Lion hoopsters outplayed Mt. Ida on both ends of the court—offensively and defensively, resulting in an impressive 45-point home victory 52-7. Lion hoopster Ian Smith paced Bismarck with 11 points for double-figures— including three rebounds as the top performer of the night.wesson followed with nine points, four rebounds and three steals—blake Smith added seven points with two assists—house dropped six points with two steals—kalem Rorie had five points— Nick Tucker had four key rebounds and two steals. Also, Brooks Depriest chipped in three points— Parrie, Riley Tuttle (two rebounds), Gabe Digiacomo (five rebounds)—and Porterfield each contributed two points apiece.
THE SMITH DUO CONNECTION
For another preseason thriller match-up, the Lions trip to Spa City was a barnburner against Cutter Morning Star Eagles. Bismarck fell short 49-46, Blake Smith and Ian Smith with Beau Wesson led Bismarck for a tri
CONFERENCE SURGE
The Bismarck Lions and Lady Lions will open the league play on the hardwood Tuesday, December 14 on the road against Fouke, then host Ashdown for their conf. home opener against Ashdown Dec. 16.
They’re looking to be contenders during league hoops, to charge through district tourney, and qualify for regionals as state bound competitors in March.