VOLGA The Sioux Valley girls basketball team led wire to wire in their season opening game against Clark/Willow Lake on Saturday night and the Cossacks came away with a 58-46 victory.
The Cossacks jumped out to an 11-0 lead after putting on a full court press to start the game. That press gave the Cyclones issues all night long as they had 16 turnovers. Sioux Valley head coach Jamie Granum said he thought the press would be successful because of two things.
Part of the reason the press worked was two-fold. You had Kailey Cradduck, who is 5-foot-10, but plays like shes 6-foot-5, and then you have the youth of [Clark/Willow Lake]. So, those two factors together, we knew that we could probably get some tips and touches and system turnovers, Granum said.
Sioux Valley would lead 17-9 at the end of the first quarter. The Cyclones cut the lead to 19-13 a minute into the second quarter but the Cossacks led 37-28 at halftime.
The Cossacks then opened the second half with a 13-2 run and led by 20 points with 4:25 left in the third. The Cyclones would cut that lead to 55-41 at the end of the quarter. The two teams struggled to score in the fourth as Sioux Valley outscored CWL 5-3 and came away with the victory.
Sioux Valley shot 41.2% from the field and was 11-for-30 from three. Granum said his offense is going to be tough to go against this season.
I felt our offense was a bit ahead of our defense. Offensively, were a hard guard. Weve been that way for a few years. We can put some kids on the floor that can really shoot it, Granum said.
Isabelle Bloker led the way for the Cossacks with 19 points and four assists. Bloker was 5-of-8 from three and Granum said shes going to face tough defense all season long since shes one of the best shooters in the state.
I expect her to face a face-guard defense every time shes on the floor. But her doing that and her playing her role as the best catch and shoot player in the state of South Dakota, it just opens up so many things for our team. We still have to find a way to score more buckets inside. Its been our calling card for a few years and we know that and understand it, and we as coaches need to try to draw up how to score more inside, Granum said.
Freshman forward Kailey Cradduck got her first varsity start on Saturday night and she was impressive. She neared a triple-double with 13 points, eight rebounds and nine assists and Granum said she has a chance to be a great player.
She has a chance to be super special. A couple of our freshmen this year, both [Cradduck] and [Liberty Trygstad] are absolute gym rats, and I dont use those words lightly because I think its overused. They both love the game of basketball and love to compete. Were fortunate that theyre at Sioux Valley, Granum said.
Talya Vincent had 12 points and Jada Knutson had eight points.
The Cyclones shot 30.4% from the field and were 4-of-13 from three. They were led by Tehya Vig who had 16 points. Kamryn Nesheim had 14 points.
Sioux Valley won the rebound battle 29-21. The Cossacks had 17 turnovers.
Up next, Sioux Valley will travel to Baltic on Thursday and will play the Bulldogs at 6:15 p.m. Granum said he is excited to see what the season brings and is optimistic.
I have high expectations for this team. You know, we graduated a great class of six seniors, but this group coming back and the vibes that the seniors left in the locker room and at practices [was special]. Weve been practicing really well and we prepare really well. Hopefully that translates to the floor, Granum said.
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