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Maybe it’s true.
Especially this year.
Playing Luverne in anything brings out the best in Pipestone — and that includes boys’ basketball.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Matthew DeBates prepares to shoot a layup during a Big South Conference win over Luverne on Tuesday, Dec. 16. DeBates tossed in a career-high 24 points in this 67-59 conquest. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Matthew DeBates tossed in a career-high 24 points and the Arrows outscored the Cardinals 40-26 during the second half en route to a 67-59 Big South Conference win.
“The boys played extremely well,” PAS head coach Michael Slaba said. “They saw what it takes to pull out a win of that magnitude.”
PAS (2-4) enjoyed a signature win, and the student section serenaded the visitors.
DeBates dribbled out the final few seconds, emphatically pumping his right hand before handing the ball to one of the officials — as seen on video at the Pipestone County Star Facebook page.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Blake Bosma (right) battles for a rebound with Luverne’s Darius Dolo. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
“Matt stepped up as a leader,” said Slaba, who praised DeBates for his initiative to score.
Slaba said he was pleased with how the team both moved and shared the ball. The Arrows were able to score on open cutters and on baseline drives, especially during the second half.
PAS also played better defense during the second salvo, with happy hands creating both steals and deflections — and the Arrows took advantage with transition baskets.
Luka Quist and DeBates both swiped three steals. Cayden Zephier and Austin Musch had two each. All four had at least one deflection.
Clay Thedens helped out PAS missing 11 3-pointers from Steph Curry range, and Luverne was 5-of-15 from the free-throw line (33.3 percent). Meanwhile, the Arrows connected on 24-of-41 field goals (58.5) and 10 of 16 from the stripe (62.5 percent).
Connor Bose connected on a 3-pointer from the wing, slicing PAS lead to 61-56 with 1:58 remaining. DeBates answered with a dribble drive and he took a charge on Luverne’s next possession. DeBates and Zephier canned four free throws during the game’s final minute to seal it.
Pipestone Area Schools’ defense made sure Luverne’s Taya Johnson was truly the “center of attention.” Here (from left), Kenzley Pater, Avery Reinhard and Josie Danks all monitor Johnson. The Arrows defeated the Cardinals 63-49 in this Big South Conference contest. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
The Arrows overtook the Cardinals early in the second half, and ran an efficient offense, including two give-and-gos featuring Jakob Dion, Quist and Musch.
Musch snagged 11 rebounds (three offensive) as part of a double-double, also scoring 12. Zephier added 11 points.
Four Luverne players reached double figures, paced by Coy Thone’s 15 points, followed by 13 from Thedens and 12 apiece from Darius Dolo and Jaydon Johnson.
Luverne High School head boys basketball coach John Sichmiller talks to his team during a timeout. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Arrow notes
Fairmont downed PAS, 69-33, on Friday, Dec. 19, behind a stellar performance from 6-foot-10 center Logan Junkermeier.
Junkermeier, who already has signed to continue playing the sport he loves at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, netted 20 points. Reed Johnson had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Meanwhile for PAS, Musch scored 10 points and DeBates added nine.
The Arrows were scheduled to play St. James Area on Monday evening.
PAS will play Minnewaska Area about 4:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, in the Marshall Hoops Club Tournament. The Arrows topped the Lakers, 57-36, at this same event last year.
Read an additional item on holiday basketball in this week’s edition of the Pipestone County Star.
The Pipestone Area Schools’ bench shows emotion after the Arrows scored a key basket during the second half of this Tuesday, Dec. 16, boys basketball game. The players are (from left), London Olsen, Colin Bucher and Zahir Bashir. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
INFORMATION
Boys Basketball
Big South Conference
Tuesday, Dec. 16
At PAS Gymnasium
Pipestone Area 67, Luverne 59
Halftime score
Luverne 33, Pipestone Area 27
Luverne scorers
Darius Dolo, 12; Connor Bose, 7; Clay Thedens, 13; Coy Thone, 15; Jaydon Johnson, 12; Kayne Jurrens and Asher Barron also played.
3-Pointers (6): Thedens, 3; Dolo, 2; Bose; Personal fouls: Cardinals, 16; Fouled out: Benson; Technical fouls: Luverne was issued a bench warning.
PAS scorers
Luka Quist, 4; Cayden Zephier, 11; Nick Bruns, 3; Jakob Dion, 4; Matthew DeBates 24; Austin Musch, 12; Blake Bomsa, 9; Zayne Zollner also played.
3-Pointers (9): Bosma, 3; DeBates, 3; Zephier, 2; Bruns, Zephier; Personal fouls: Arrows, 13; Fouled out: None; Technical fouls: None