Basketball at the Bismarck Civic Center isn't uncommon,

But the NBA at the BCC is.



Last night, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets had a rare exhibition battle in our neck of the woods...and while everyone came to see the superstars, they left talking about a former Dakota Wizards star.







"It wasn't scripted?.but it was like something right out a movie.

After three and a half quarters of watching and waiting, Blake Ahearn got his chance?as his old coach and new coach looked on?

and with under a minute to go and his team trailing by two.

Blake came up big!

His three pointer put the Timberwolves in front and they never looked back?defeating Denver 111 to 107.

(Duane Ticknor:) That was awesome to see him hit that shot and I give Coach (Randy) Wittman some credit because they set it up for him to hit the shot and it was pretty neat for him to come through and it was fun to have him in there at crunch time and the way our fans reacted, there's a reason Blake's up there.

(Blake Ahearn:) I knew in the timeout that I'd get a look with the way that they play defense and everything and he (Coach Wittman) drew up a good play and I knew that I would have a chance to knock down a shot and that is all that I can ask for and that's an opportunity and like I said before, that is the story of my career - trying to take advantage of any one that I can get.

Ahearn had an advantage?.afterall, he played much of last season at the Bismarck Civic Center with the Dakota Wizards?.starting the year on the bench, but ending it in the big-time.

After lighting up the D-League on his way to Rookie of the Year honors,

Ahearn was called up to the Miami Heat?where he played in 12 games.

(Blake Ahearn:) It has been great and it has been like a wurlwind - just non stop - going to city to city and workout to workout and just trying to find a place.

Now with the T'Wolves, Ahearn's hoping to find a home in the 'big' Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul?but if that doesn't happen,

he says he wouldn't mind returning to the 'small' Twin Cities of Bismarck and Mandan.

(Blake Ahearn:) If I were to come back to the D-League, this is obviously the place that I'd want to come back, obviously. But, being the confident guy that I am, I don't expect to come back, but all-in-all, like I told people before - if this is where I come, it is a great place to be.

The NBA is his goal and he got there going through the D-League?and for one night,

his goal came full circle with a shot right through a circle! "







Not only did Ahearn win the game, but also some money. Rashad McCants said he'd give him 100 dollars if he made it.



The Wolves are next in action on Wednesday when they host the Bulls in exhibition play. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list