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After a back-and-forth early first quarter, Aberdeen Christian used a 10-2 run to gain separation and pulled away for a 65-42 win over Aberdeen Roncalli Tuesday, Jan. 6 at the Aberdeen Civic Arena.
Christian head coach Matt Rohrbach told his team before the start of the intracity clash to embrace the game.
Aberdeen Christian’s Brooks Jett lays in two of his 20 points during a 65-42 win over Aberdeen Roncalli Tuesday, Jan 6 inside the Aberdeen Civic Arena. Aberdeen Insider photo by Robb Garofalo.
“We talked about enjoying the experience, enjoying this game that is such a unique experience,” he said. “We also told them (Roncalli) is not in our locker room and we need to communicate with each other the way we want to on the court, and I think our guys did that tonight.”
The Cavaliers jumped out to a 10-7 lead on a Bryson Olson turnaround in the lane. Leading scorer Jesse Hernandez was held to six points in the first half and 10 in the game, but Roncalli head coach Dan Gallagher liked how his team adjusted early to the Knights’ ball-pressure defense on Hernandez.
“I thought in the first quarter Jesse handled their pressure well, and our guys were moving well without the ball,” Gallagher said. “We were getting inside touches to Bryson, Sam (Larson) attacked the rim, our offense was doing what we wanted. Once they started being aggressive on the offensive boards and really got after us defensively, that’s kind of where things went a little south on us.”
Christian began its run with an offensive rebound and put-back by Jack Eichler that gave the Knights an 11-10 lead. A Brooks Jett blocked shot and layup at the other end made it 13-10. Luke Kaiser’s three-pointer off a steal pushed the advantage to 16-10 as Christian led 19-14 after the first quarter.
“Our defensive pressure allowed us to create the tempo, and that was what started our run at the end of the first and into the second quarter,” Rohrbach said.
Jett continued to make his presence felt in the second quarter, scoring 12 of the Knights’ 18 points. He finished with 20 points, nine rebounds — five offensive — and swatted away five shots.
He said the game was a much better effort after Christian scored just 36 points in losing for the first time this season to Milbank.
“I wasn’t sure how Roncalli was going to guard us because we didn’t think they could go man to man, so we thought maybe zone, and that’s what they came out with,” Jett said. “I was happy because our ball movement against Milbank wasn’t good at all, and we really moved the ball well tonight, found guys, myself included, in the middle of that zone and that really helped us get going.”
He said he’s improving as he recovers from a shoulder surgery that still limits him a little.
The Knights were up 13 at halftime and outscored the Cavaliers 24-7 in the third quarter to lead by 30 as the game’s outcome became certain.
Gallagher fully understood the challenges Jett presented, having coached him during the football season during which the schools co-op.
“Brooks is just a great player, I mean, we saw that during football before his shoulder injury, and he controlled a lot of possessions inside tonight and, when he has to, can knock down a three,” Gallagher said. “They might be one of the most athletic teams we play. Their length, their size, it’s very tough to pass on them, and they get after it on the boards.”
Christian improved to 4-1 and is ranked fifth in the most recent Class B boys basketball poll. The Knights play Waubay/Summit on Saturday, Jan. 10 at the Aberdeen Christian Gym.
Roncalli (2-3) hosts Leola/Frederick Thursday, Jan. 8.
Christian struggles to score in loss to Milbank
Aberdeen Christian converted on three straight possessions to lead Class A Milbank 6-0 Friday, Jan. 2 at the Christian Gym.
Aberdeen Christian’s Brooks Jett lays in two of his eight points during a 42-36 loss to Milbank Friday, Jan. 2. Aberdeen Insider photo by Robb Garofalo.
But the Knights offense then reverted into neutral as they scored just four points in the rest of the first quarter and fell 42-36 in non-conference action.
The Knights also struggled to score in the second quarter, managing just six points as the Bulldogs held a 27-16 halftime lead.
Lincoln Holscher was the only player to reach double figures in the game, netting 15 for Milbank.
For Christian, Luke Kaiser had nine points and Jett eight.
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“I was happy with how we ran the offense, but we talked after about it, and I can’t wait to watch the film and try to figure out how we lost our flow after the first six, eight points of the first quarter,” Rohrbach said. “I mean not once did we think we weren’t the better team, there are just some nights where the ball just doesn’t go in, and tonight was one of those nights.”
The Knights made just 15 of 46 field goal attempts and compounded that problem by missing eight of 12 free throws.
“Sometimes when shots aren’t falling you press a little and put some pressure on yourself at the free throw line, and guys understand that. It was just one of those situations that we really haven’t seen at all,” Rohrbach said.
But he was happy with how the Knights played on defense, holding the Bulldogs to 15 points in the second half and 42 for the entire game.
Roncalli rallies, but can’t hold on in loss to Webster
After trailing 13-1 late in the first quarter, Roncalli rallied to take the lead in the third before Webster bounced back for a 55-52 boys basketball victory on Friday, Jan. 2 at the Roncalli Gym.
The Cavaliers dug a hole with ill-advised jump shots, Gallagher said.
“Early in the game it was jack-up three, jack-up three, jack-up three. I want to say we took two two-pointers the entire first quarter,” he said. “We’re gonna shoot the three, it’s kind of our MO, but those threes should come on paint attacks and kick-outs, and we did not get to the paint much in the first quarter at all.”
Aberdeen’s Creighton Fisher drives and scores on Webster Area’s Seth Lesnar during the fourth quarter Friday, Jan. 2 at the Roncalli Gym. Webster picked up a 55-52 win. Aberdeen Insider photo by Robb Garofalo.
Roncalli was only down a point at halftime and outscored the Bearcats 18-12 in the third quarter to lead 41-36 heading into the final eight minutes.
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“We attacked the basket in the second (quarter),” Gallagher said. “Our guys knew shots weren’t falling from the perimeter, and when that happens you have to figure out a way to keep yourselves in it. We need to continue to recognize attacking the paint will reward us. We got a lot of quick, easy buckets inside, all within three feet of the basket.”
Hernandez sank a three-pointer to put the Cavaliers up 44-38 with 6:20 to play in the game, but Webster outscored Roncalli 15-8 down the stretch.
The Bearcats took a 54-52 lead with about 40 seconds left on a Seth Lesnar drive to the hoop. He finished with 18 points, as did teammate Matt Mount.
Webster Area’s Seth Lesnar drives and scores on Aberdeen Roncalli’s Quinten Shelton during the fourth quarter Friday, Jan. 2 inside Roncalli Gym. Lesnar had 18 points in a 55-52 Bearcat win. Aberdeen Insider photo by Robb Garofalo.
Lesnar freed himself up on a stutter step to get by Jesse Hernandez for the bucket.
“They had been playing me to the left side all night, so I was kind of comfortable with it towards the end of the game,” Lesnar said. “I kind of had (Hernandez) on my right side, so I made a quick move, got by the help-side (defense), found a gap and was able to finish at the rim.”
After a Roncalli turnover, Webster’s Jeron McCreary sank a free throw to make it a 55-52 lead with 12 seconds left, and the Cavaliers couldn’t score in the closing moments.
Webster picked up its second win, and head coach Matt Lenards said his team’s resilience down the stretch is something he wants to build on as the season progresses.
“This is one of those games we talk about in terms of how good a team we can be and what kind of team we are at this point in the season,” he said. “I always tell the guys that good teams finish games, and we’re starting to prove to ourselves what we’re capable of, and we need to keep it rolling.”
Olson led all scorers with 19 points and tossed in nine as the Cavs rallied in the second quarter.
But it was the Bearcats who had the game’s final push to secure victory.
“Crazy at the end there,” Lesnar said. “I think this could be a good spark for us. We had a few tough losses early in the beginning of the season, but if we build off of this I think we can get a few more wins for sure.”
Hernandez led the Cavaliers with 16 points. Austin Fisher missed the game with an injury.
Hernandez’s 30 not enough as Cavaliers fall to Oakes
A balanced offensive attack helped boost Oakes (N.D.) past Roncalli 66-54 in boys high school basketball action on Tuesday, Dec. 30 at the Roncalli Gym.
Hernandez pumped in 30 points for the Cavaliers, but the Tornadoes had three players in double figures.
“We knew they were a very good offensive team,” Gallagher said. “Really, the game came down to consistency, and they were more consistent than we were tonight.”
Oakes was led by Jyles Meier, who scored 20 points. Beau Thorpe added a dozen and Reese Nitschke 11. The Tornadoes slowly pulled away throughout the game.
Hernandez sank six three-pointers on the night and scored 22 points in the second half. All other Cavalier players combined for just eight points after halftime.
“We knew we had to get Jesse going and once we did I think the guys started relying on him a bit too much. Our movement on offense wasn’t as fluid as it usually is, and we didn’t get the amount of looks for different guys we normally do,” Gallagher said.
Aberdeen Christian’s Luke Kaiser drives past Milbank’s Emmet Snaza during the first quarter Friday, Jan. 2 at the Aberdeen Christian Gym. Kaiser scored nine points in a 42-36 Christian loss. Aberdeen Insider photo by Robb Garofalo.
Tuesday, Jan. 6
- Northwestern brushed off a sluggish third quarter during which the Wildcats scored just six points to earn a 54-45 victory over Ipswich. Ty Boekelheide’s game-high 24 points led Northwestern. For 4-1 Ipswich, Shay Knust finished with 13 points.
- Ryder Johnson led the way with 18 points and 15 rebounds as Groton Area knocked off Warner 66-45. Braydon Kroll had 13 points for the Monarchs.
- Leola/Frederick rolled to a 72-42 win over Wilmot. Winston Clark scored 16 points as 10 Titan players scored.
Monday, Jan. 5
- Northwestern scored 28 points in the first quarter on the way to upending Herreid/Selby Area 69-57. Ty Boekelheide led all scorers with 21 points for the victorious Wildcats. Jared Haven added 19.
Saturday, Jan. 3
- Aberdeen Central struggled from the floor and lost a 68-35 road contest at Yankton. The Eagles made just 15 of 39 field goal attempts, while the Bucks sank 10 three-pointers. Jack Bertsch led Central with 10 points and four rebounds.
- Leola/Frederick hung on for a 49-48 win over Waubay/Summit. Jace Thorpe, Winston Clark and Milo Sumption all scored 11 points for the Titans.
Friday, Jan. 2
- Brennan Wolf-Donut scored a game-high 19 points as Warner picked up a 43-37 road win over North Central. Jesiah Baum added 10 points for the Monarchs.
- Groton faded in the second half, dropping a 66-57 home game against Vermillion. Trey Hansen’s 22 points boosted the Tanagers, who trailed 34-28 at halftime. Ryder Johnson led the Tigers with 21 points. Groton is ranked ninth in the latest Class A poll, while Vermillion is 10th.
- Down by eight points at halftime, Ipswich rallied for a 59-58 victory over Wilmot. Shay Knust and Jaxon Holt scored 17 points apiece to pace the Tigers.
Wednesday, Dec. 31
- Aberdeen Central struggled from the floor, scoring six points in the first quarter and just two in the third in falling 61-31 to Harrisburg during the Hoop City Classic at the Corn Palace in Mitchell. The Tigers went eight of 19 from the three-point line. Stellen Larson led three Harrisburg double-figure scorers with 17 points. Quin Rayman paced Central with nine points, all on three-pointers.
Tuesday, Dec. 30
- Ryder Johnson led three Groton players in double figures with 13 points as the Tigers upended Webster 63-43. Hot-shooting Groton knocked down eight three-pointers. Matt Mount led the Bearcats with 13 points.
- Leola/Frederick lost to Class B No. 3 Viborg-Hurley 57-42. Westyn Thorpe had 14 points in the loss. Brody Schroedermeier led the Cougars with a game-high 24 points.
