BROOKINGS The Brookings Bobcats split a doubleheader with Yankton at the Michael J. Entringer Scholarship Classic in the Bob Jostad Gymnasium at Brookings High School on Saturday afternoon.
GIRLS
Brookings 53, Yankton 46
Tess Burns scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds to earn MVP honors as the Bobcats used a strong transition game to defeat the Gazelles in the first game of the doubleheader.
I thought tonight was really good especially when we run in transition, Brookings head coach Mitch McLagan said of the win. We needed to get Tess involved and she was fantastic tonight, but part of that is because we got the ball up the floor and we were able to find her.
The Bobcats got off to a fast start to open the game and were able to utilize their nine steals and 14 total turnovers by Yankton to get out in transition. Brookings was rewarded by taking an 18-9 lead at the end of the first quarter but the Gazelles out-scored Brookings 16-4 in the second quarter to go into halftime with a 24-23 lead.
The Bobcats were able to force Yankton into more mistakes by out-scoring them 20-13 in the third quarter before creating more opportunities to hold on in the final quarter.
I thought our transition game was really good at the end of the game, McLagan said. We got the ball down the floor quick, got some open looks and our half-court offense is just so much better when were pushing the ball up the floor. I thought our kids did a fantastic job of that tonight.
One of the biggest beneficiaries of the Bobcats approach was Burns as the junior provided a presence in the post and on the glass.
As a coach, it feels really good to see her win that award, McLagan said. I know what she puts into this game and we tried to get her involved offensively in the first couple of weeks but we just couldnt. To see her have the night she had, thats pretty special.
The Bobcats also got a strong game from Logan Smidt, who finished with a team-high 18 points to go with six rebounds and a pair of assists. Sloan McLagan also added seven points off the bench and Macy Even had six points and seven rebounds in a balanced effort for Brookings.
We started to see some of those kids start scoring, McLagan said. I thought we moved the ball a lot better and our offense is just better when we have everyone involved.
Claire Tereshinski had a game-high 19 points for the Gazelles while Macy Drotzmann had 16 points and eight rebounds.
Brookings shot 48 percent from the floor while out-rebounding Yankton 35-22. Yankton was held to 32 percent from the floor.
The win helped the Bobcats (2-3) to win their second straight game after losing their first three games to open the season and McLagan believes that momentum can carry into Tuesday nights matchup at OGorman.
This one was really big for us, McLagan said. Yankton is a good team and theyre going to win some games. Winning a game at home in such a special event that were excited to be a part of, our kids should be able to grow off this one because the road gets so much tougher as we get going. But we can build off this. Our kids are excited and they should be.
BOYS
Yankton 52, Brookings 47
The Bobcats used a strong advantage on the glass to hang around but 25 turnovers cost them in a loss to the Bucks in the nightcap of Saturdays doubleheader.
The biggest thing we have to do is limit the turnovers, Brookings head coach Mike McCarty said. I think if we can get some quality shots on the offensive ends, we can give ourselves a chance out there but we just need to be able to communicatebeing connected with all five guys out there at the same time.
The Bucks took an early lead in the first quarter before Brookings used some balance to stay in the game. With Nathan Smith scoring a game-high 17 points and Austin Clark scoring 11 points to go with seven rebounds and three assists, the Bobcats used their perimeter game to go into halftime tied at 22 and the game remained close as Yankton took a 40-39 lead into the fourth quarter.
Both teams remained neck-and-neck in the final frame as neither team gained an advantage over six points. Smiths 3-pointer with just over a minute to play gave Brookings a 47-46 lead but a tip-in on the other end with 38.2 seconds left put Yankton ahead 48-47.
The Bobcats were able to give Keech Bior, who finished with five points, 11 rebounds and five blocks, a good look on the following possession but after missing a shot in the paint, the Bucks scored on the opposite end and were able to put the game away with a pair of free throws.
Although the turnovers were an issue, McCarty was pleased with his teams effort with a 36-22 advantage on the glass and a balanced scoring effort that saw eight different players get on the scoresheet.
That kind of helped us stay in the game but we had several guys get involved, McCarty said. We were trying to get some balance instead of relying on just one or two guys all the time.
Landon Potts earned MVP honors for the game with 16 points and six rebounds while Tucker Gilmore also had 16 points and five rebounds for the Bucks. Matthew Sheldon also had 10 points in the win while Carson Ness scored seven points.
Brookings shot 42 percent from the floor including 7-for-18 (38.9%) on 3-pointers. Yankton shot 39 percent from the floor and went 5-for-20 (25%) from long distance.
The loss dropped the Bobcats to 1-4 on the season ahead of Tuesdays matchup with OGorman. With fellow contenders Brandon Valley and Mitchell on the schedule next week, McCarty hopes the Bobcats success continues especially on the glass.
Its something that were going to have to continue because the teams we have coming up are big and physical, McCarty said. Were going to have to crash the boards like that each and every night.
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