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MARSHALL — The Pipestone Area Schools’ girls basketball team played one game during the holiday break.
The Arrows made it count. And then some.
Behind a 35-point night from Jadyn Kor and seven steals from Josie Danks, PAS downed MACCRAY 71-43 at Borch’s Holiday Classic on Monday, Dec. 29.
“It was nice to play a game over the break,” PAS head coach Grant Everson said. “A holiday break like that is always nice to kind of reset, and get some rest.”
Pipestone Area Schools’ Josie Danks (11) looks to pass during a Borch’s Holiday Classic game Monday, Dec. 29 at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall. MACCRAY’s Ruby Hultgren has her hands up to defend. The Arrows won easily, 71-43. (Contributed photo by Alan Kor)
Everson said the girls relished the opportunity to play at Southwest Minnesota State University’s R/A Facility.
As for beating MACCRAY (5-4), Everson had plenty of kind words.
“It was a big confidence booster for us,” Everson noted. “To play that well against a team was nice to see. We played well at both ends of the floor, and I was proud of how the girls came out and played.”
PAS made sure every Wolverines shot was a contested one.
Everson said when the Arrows are clicking defensively, that makes the offense flow better — a relationship that goes hand in hand.
Kor nailed a 3-pointer with 4:57 left in the opening half to give PAS its first double-digit lead at 27-16. Amyra Mahik made a layup on the following possession, and the Arrows were up 36-19 at intermission.
The Wolverines closed within 10 points in the second half, but PAS’ lead eventually grew to the final differential (28).
Everson played reserves the final three-plus minutes with Rhaelee Heidebrink knocking down a 3-pointer from the baseline, Julia Berkenpas made two free throws and Danica LaBrune stole an errant MACCRAY pass.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Amyra Mahik (24) dribbles into the frontcourt during a Borch’s Holiday Classic game versus MACCRAY. (Contributed photo by Alan Kor)
Emersyn Smidt was the team leader in rebounds with 10. Both Kor and Smidt dished off three assists. Taryn Tuinstra contributed three steals.
The Arrow defense forced 24 turnovers and MACCRAY shot just 32.1 percent from the field (18-of-56).
Future Minnesota State player Brielle Janssen paced the Wolverines with 22 points, more than half of their offense.
Both Kor and Janssen were teammates for Minnesota Rise 2026 Hulke this past summer, a select travel team — competing in nine tournaments.
Arrow notes
PAS (9-1) returned to action on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at Minneota before Friday’s Big South Conference showdown with Windom Area.
Activities director Rick Zollner on Monday announced that Saturday’s home game versus Lac qui Parle Valley had been cancelled outright.
The Arrows also have future home dates with Edgerton (Jan. 12) and Jackson County Central (Jan. 13).
Pipestone Area Schools logo. (Contributed graphic from the PAS school district)
INFORMATION
Girls Basketball
Borch’s Holiday Classic
Monday, Dec. 29
At SMSU
Marshall
Pipestone Area 71, MACCRAY 43
Halftime score
PAS 36, MACCRAY 19
PAS scorers
Rhaelee Heidebrink, 3; Julia Berkenpas, 2; Kenzley Pater, 4; Josie Danks, 7; Jadyn Kor, 35; Emersyn Smidt, 7; Taryn Tuinstra, 8; Amyra Mahik, 5
3-Pointers (12): Kor, 6; Tuinstra, 2; Smidt, Mahik, Heidebrink, Danks; Personal fouls: Arrows, 10; Fouled out: None; Technical fouls: None
MACCRAY scorers
Journey Swanson, 7; Laila Romsdahl, 6; Laney Bowers, 4; Reese Malmgren, 6; Isabelle Alphs, 12; Jacey Swanson, 3; Jacey Sodeman, 2; Kendall Malmgren, 9
Ruby Hultgren, 2; Brielle Janssen, 22; Sam Hultgren, 5; Emma Thein, 5; Kailani Hansen, 2; Paige Steffen, 7
3-Pointers (3): Janssen, 2, S. Hultgren; Personal fouls: Wolverines, 10; Fouled out: None; Technical fouls: None