WAHPETON — Kindred was unfazed by Enderlin's size inside — namely 6-foot-10 Joel Hurlburt and 6-8 Gus Hurlburt — and the Vikings' attack was varied and relentless in a 70-50 win over the Eagles in the North Dakota Class B, Region 1 championship game on Thursday.
The Kindred duo of 6-4 Jaiden Peraza and 6-4 Paul Olson combined for 34 points, 17 rebounds and a few dunks for emphasis.
The Vikings, now 20-3, repeated as Region 1 champions and now will attempt to repeat as Class B champions when the state tournament begins March 17 in Minot. Kindred, in its first-ever state title game appearance, defeated Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier 40-34 for the 2021 Class B championship.
On Thursday, Kindred led 13-11 after the first quarter but a 12-3 run in the middle portion of the second helped the Vikings open some space and they led 27-19 at the half.
The Kindred attack didn't abate in the third. Peraza's offensive rebound and put back and a banked in jumper — combined with four missed Enderlin free throws — put them up 14 late in the third.
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The Eagles trailed by 12 entering the fourth and that's as close as the game would get, and the conclusion was inevitable when Joe Hurlburt fouled out with 3:24 to play and the Vikings up 15. The Vikings finished with a 39-26 rebounding advantage.
Peraza finished with 20 points and eight rebounds, and Olson scored 14 points and pulled down nine boards.
Riley Sunram scored 12 points, Max McQuillan scored eight, Brock Woehl scored six and Jorgen Swenson finished with five.
Joe Hurlburt led the 17-6 Eagles with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Carson Bartholomay scored 14 points, Gus Hurlburt had 11 points and four rebounds. Alijah Dixson scored nine points.
