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Mar 17, 11:17 PM EDT
Montana recruit Brian Qvale of Williston is N.D.'s Mr. Basketball
By SCOOTER PURSLEY
Associated Press Writer
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- Even with a broken nose, Williston center Brian Qvale could dominate a basketball game.
Playing injured in a West Region game the Coyotes had to win to get to the state Class A tournament, the 6-foot-11 Qvale scored 28 points, grabbed 20 rebounds, dished out four assists and blocked five shots in a 70-66 win over Mandan.
Afterward, his coach, Mark Slotsve, proclaimed him Mr. Basketball.
The state media agreed on Saturday and voted Qvale the North Dakota Mr. Basketball for 2007. The award is presented annually by the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. Qvale is the second Williston player to win the award, following James Hennessy in 2005.
"Trying to win a state championship and having a winning season was the main thing," Qvale said. "This award is something extra. It was a successful season."
Slotsve said the Mandan game sticks out for him because of the circumstances, including Qvale's broken nose from the previous night.
"That Mandan game we had to win," Slotsve said. "I told our guys we've had some good seniors who haven't gone to state. Brian said, '(an early end to the season) is not going to happen this year.' Ask anyone who was there, they said he is the guy. He is Mr. Basketball. Dominant is what comes to mind."
Qvale averaged 20 points, 10.6 rebounds, three blocks and three assists for the Coyotes, who took third place in the Class A tournament. He shot 62 percent from the field and 65 percent from the free-throw line. He finished with more than 1,500 points in his career.
Qvale was courted by 30 NCAA Division I teams before settling on the University of Montana last summer, Slotsve said.
"It was a hectic year and definitely a lot of pressure. It relieved a lot of pressure when I made the decision to go to Montana," Qvale said.
Qvale received 10 of the 16 first-place votes and 60 total points in the voting by the NDAPSSA.
Montana recruit Brian Qvale of Williston is N.D.'s Mr. Basketball
By SCOOTER PURSLEY
Associated Press Writer
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- Even with a broken nose, Williston center Brian Qvale could dominate a basketball game.
Playing injured in a West Region game the Coyotes had to win to get to the state Class A tournament, the 6-foot-11 Qvale scored 28 points, grabbed 20 rebounds, dished out four assists and blocked five shots in a 70-66 win over Mandan.
Afterward, his coach, Mark Slotsve, proclaimed him Mr. Basketball.
The state media agreed on Saturday and voted Qvale the North Dakota Mr. Basketball for 2007. The award is presented annually by the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. Qvale is the second Williston player to win the award, following James Hennessy in 2005.
"Trying to win a state championship and having a winning season was the main thing," Qvale said. "This award is something extra. It was a successful season."
Slotsve said the Mandan game sticks out for him because of the circumstances, including Qvale's broken nose from the previous night.
"That Mandan game we had to win," Slotsve said. "I told our guys we've had some good seniors who haven't gone to state. Brian said, '(an early end to the season) is not going to happen this year.' Ask anyone who was there, they said he is the guy. He is Mr. Basketball. Dominant is what comes to mind."
Qvale averaged 20 points, 10.6 rebounds, three blocks and three assists for the Coyotes, who took third place in the Class A tournament. He shot 62 percent from the field and 65 percent from the free-throw line. He finished with more than 1,500 points in his career.
Qvale was courted by 30 NCAA Division I teams before settling on the University of Montana last summer, Slotsve said.
"It was a hectic year and definitely a lot of pressure. It relieved a lot of pressure when I made the decision to go to Montana," Qvale said.
Qvale received 10 of the 16 first-place votes and 60 total points in the voting by the NDAPSSA.
