Ramsey scores 31 in victory over Boyer Valley

IKM-Manning Wolves Junior Ben Ramsey scored 31 points in Thursday’s 55-36 road victory over the Boyer Valley Bulldogs, leading them to their eighth win of the season and second victory in a row.

“My shots felt good,” Ramsey said. “Setting good screens, the guys were driving and kicking out for 3’s with good plays, and other guys stepped up too.”

The Wolves began the game on a 7-0 run with the first five points coming from Ramsey, followed by a layup from Junior Ashton Ahrenholtz. Ramsey made another three baskets before the quarter ended, including the final shot of the quarter leading 14-9.

Junior Isaac Blankman knocked down a 3-pointer to open the second quarter, which was followed by a 3-point shot from Junior Bulldog Logan Thomsen. Sophomore Wyatt Danner and Brock Kusel got in on the action both making shots as the Wolves led 28-12 at halftime.

“We wanted to play the first three minutes and give them [Bulldogs] a good blast,” said Wolves Head Coach Keith Wagner. “We had a defensive role to try and hold them under 30, but we wanted to make it difficult for them. Offensively, sometimes we get a little stagnant and the ball sticks, but when the ball moves, the scores moves.”

Ramsey continued his dominant performance by opening the third quarter with another 3-pointer. Sophomore Bulldog Tristen Burkhart answered back with a 3-point shot, but the Wolves offense continued to roll going on a 7-0 run with layups from Ahrenholtz and Kusel, and a 3-pointer from Ramsey leading 40-22 heading into the final quarter.

“He’s a good player,” Wagner said of Ramsey. “He can shoot the ball, he can drive the ball, he’s a pretty good rebounder. He understands defensive concepts. When he has opportunities, we give him the green light, and he’s played well pretty much all season. For the most part, he’s been our offensive leader.”

Danner drained a 3-pointer to opener the fourth quarter, followed soon after by another 3-point shot from Ramsey. The Bulldog offense managed to make a few baskets on free throws, but Ramsey continually answered back with more 3’s making another two on the night closing out the Bulldogs for their eighth win of the season.

The Wolves are back home Friday, with the 8-9 AHSTW Vikings coming to town. The Vikings have won four consecutive games and are led by Senior Luke Sternberg averaging 18 points and 3.4 assists per game, along with Junior Kaden Jorgensen averaging 7.4 rebounds.

“They [Vikings] are playing some good basketball right now,” Ramsey said. “We’ve got to be prepared, but we’re playing good basketball, too. Playing good defense and getting good shots on the offensive end from everybody and I think we can take it to them.”