Younkin leads Mav men in win over Dodson

The North Country Mavericks were able to split their first weekend series of the New Year after picking up a strong 62-28 win against the Dodson Coyotes on Saturday night. The Mavericks also lost 59-46 to Scobey last Friday in Hinsdale. The Coyotes had previously lost 50-14 to Winnett-Grass Range on Friday night in Winnett and lost 68-44 to Roy-Winifred in Roy.

In the clash of the Phillips County 3C schools, the Mavericks were led by senior Cache Younkin, who had 19 points, 14 of which came in the first quarter.

"The press right away at the beginning really helped us," senior Maverick Cache Younkin said. "It kept us on the offensive side of the ball in that first quarter."

The Mavericks jumped out to a 23-4 lead in the first quarter thanks to solid defense and a hot hand by Younkin and Trace Simonson who scored four of his nine points in the first.

"We jumped on them right away with our press," Simonson said. "That helped us out to get rolling right off the bat."

Dodson's rough start could also be contributed to missed shots in the paint.

"We missed seven layups in a row," Dodson Head Coach Frank Benson said. "That's 14 points. Who knows what happens on defense when you do that."

Christian Menge was another bright spot for the Mavericks, racking up nine points. Logan McColly scored seven points.

The Mavericks would outscore Dodson 8-6 in the second quarter. Dodson's woes would continue as the team's offensive flow seemed lost in the third.

Tyrese Messerly would score 14 of Dodson's 18 second half points, thanks to a barrage of three pointers, which he hit four attempts including a three point floater, which could've made an ESPN highlight reel.

"After the first (trey) thing kind of started clicking and I felt like I could make anything I put up," Messerly said. "So I just thought I would try a floater from the three point line and it went in."

Messerly noted that he hadn't tried the shot before that moment.

Messerly scored 18 points, which led Dodson in scoring. Shaun Ball would score four points. Corbin LoneBear, Trevor Shortman and Jeramiah Benson scored two points each.

Shortman's defensive effort has caught the attention of Coach Benson.

"Trevor has come a long way," Coach Benson said. "He's a hustler. He hustles everywhere on the court. He makes other teams make mistake. He plays hard and he doesn't leave anything out there."

In the Coyotes loss to Roy-Winifred, Ball led the team with 12. Jasper Doney had nine. LoneBear and David Jaynes had eight points each.

"We're getting better every day," Coach Benson said. "We just have to work on the little things. If we can fix the little things we will start clicking."

Coach Benson noted that the team was getting better on defense.

"We are playing a little more physical," he said. "We're running our offense, we are playing as a team better, and we are looking for our teammates. We are working for the tournaments. Every day is a new day."

Dodson was physical according to Maverick senior post Menge.

"Staying strong in the post," Menge said. "Getting a body on somebody and going up with the ball. It helps when you have athletes like Trace, Cache, Chris (DePuydt) and Logan (McColly)."

In the Maverick's loss to Scobey, Simonson led North Country in scoring with 15 points. Younkin had 14 and McColly had 12.

"Scobey is a good team that have a lot of good shooters, a lot of people that can handle the ball," Younkin said. "They run a dribble-drive and with all the people that can handle the ball and shoot it's pretty effective."

The Mavericks have been off to a solid start this season, but with so much season left they have plenty to work on.

"Trapping in our press," Menge said, when asked what they will work on this week. "I need to work on boxing out better. We will work on running our offense a little better. That's what I'm thinking."

Messerly mentioned what Dodson needs to work on as the season continues.

"Chemistry," Messerly said. "We need to learn to work as one. There is just too much one man show going on. It's really hurting our team. We need to learn how to work as a team."