Former Dickinson High boys basketball coach speaks to players in the huddle during a game in this undated Press file photo.
John Wilson said the time is right to turn his focus away from coaching basketball.
Wilson stepped down as Dickinson High’s head boys basketball coach on Thursday after seven seasons, citing family and his health as the primary reasons for the decision.
He leaves the program with a 71-81 overall record.
“I just felt it was time for me and my family to take care of me,” he said.
Wilson endured his share of ups and downs as head coach.
NEW ENGLAND — The party didn’t stop after the post-game celebration.
In New England, the revelry for winning the Region 7 boys basketball championship game last Thursday night in Dickinson lingered until the team and fans got home. Then it spilled over onto the city’s Main Street, led by fire trucks blasting sirens, a stream of cars honking horns, and the hoots and hollers of fans in this town of about 650 people relishing something that hasn’t occurred in nearly a generation.
New England, with only 69 kids in high school, will be both the smallest school and community participating in this year’s Class B state tournament, which begins today at the Bismarck Event Center.
“For us, this is the ultimate,” said Daryl Jung, the school’s longtime athletic director. “It’s actually a dream come true.”
Killdeer sophomore Brock Pittsley's status for the Region 7 boys basketball tournament is uncertain following the death of his father, David. Pittsley is the Cowboys' starting power forward.
The Killdeer boys basketball team will be playing through some pain on Monday in the Region 7 tournament quarterfinals.
Sophomore Brock Pittsley, the Cowboys’ starting power forward, is dealing with the death of his father, David Pittsley, who passed away Thursday at age 45. David Pittsley’s funeral is at 10 a.m. Monday at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Killdeer. The Cowboys are scheduled to play Heart River at 4:30 p.m. that day.
Asked whether or not Pittsley will play, Killdeer coach Wayne Sanders said, “we’re not real sure.â€
Sanders said David Pittsley’s death has greatly affected his team. The Cowboys practiced Thursday and Sanders said, “We had a tough day.â€
Heart River head coach Greg Pruitt said he has reached out to Pittsley and the Cowboys for two reasons. First, many Heart River players are good friends with Pittsley. Second, Pruitt said he also lost his father at a young age.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Brock,†Pruitt said. “Our hearts go out to him.â€
It’s late and I’m tired, but here’s the video of the Casey Duppong buzzer-beater and the ensuing bedlam from Beulah’s 52-51 win over Trinity duThursday night’s Region 7 championship victory. (Sorry it’s shaky and I can’t help that referee Jim Glasser decided to step in front of me so he could better see the play).
It’s late and I’m tired, but here’s the video of the Casey Duppong buzzer-beater and the ensuing bedlam from Beulah’s 52-51 win over Trinity duThursday night’s Region 7 championship victory. (Sorry it’s shaky and I can’t help that referee Jim Glasser decided to step in front of me so he could better see the play).
Dustin Monke 