|
|
Pipestone Area Schools’ Taryn Tuinstra swished a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 6:24 remaining in the first half.
By then, the Arrows had established control in this Big South Conference contest versus rival Luverne — with a 30-9 lead.
Even though the Cardinals closed within 12 during the second half, PAS rolled to a 63-49 victory in front of a satisfied home crowd.
Later in the week, Fairmont pinned the first loss of the season on the Arrows, 63-38, on Friday, Dec. 19. But, PAS still has a 7-1 record.
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)
“Luverne is well-coached, and a good team,” PAS head coach Grant Everson said of the victory over the Cardinals. “They have a ton of size.”
Luverne sophomore Taya Johnson stands 6-foot-1, and freshman teammate Briella John is 6-feet even.
Pipestone Area Schools’ head coach Grant Everson and the Arrow bench like what they see during the first half. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
“They used their size to make it tough to score inside,” Everson explained. “But, we shot well in the first half, and built a good lead. It’s a rivalry win, which is a good win to get.”
PAS countered by being quicker inside, and that included a 36-32 edge in rebounding, whether the Arrows were playing man or zone defense.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Emersyn Smidt (left) plays defense on Luverne’s Taya Johnson during this Tuesday, Dec. 16 Big South Conference game at PAS Gymnasium. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Tuinstra grabbed a team-best seven boards. Teammates Josie Danks and Jadyn Kor added six caroms each.
Avery Reinhard and Danks both had two offensive rebounds to keep possessions alive. Johnson had 11 of the Cardinals’ rebounds.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Jadyn Kor looks to pass around Luverne’s Taya Johnson along the baseline during a Tuesday, Dec. 16 Big South Conference game. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
As is her custom, Kor was the game’s leading scorer with 22 points on seven field goals including four 3-pointers and 4-of-5 from the free-throw line.
In other statistical categories, Danks was the leader in both assists and steals with five. Tuinstra finished the game with 15 points (6-of-11 from the field including a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the 3-point arc).
Three Luverne players crossed into double digits with Ingrid Schmuck 12, Johnson 11 and Khloe Visker 10.
Arrow notes
Even with the sizable loss to Fairmont, Everson is still optimistic the Arrows are a contender in both the Big South Conference and Section 3AA South.
Kor knocked down a pair of free throws to close the gap on Fairmont, 34-30, before the opponents pulled away — outscoring PAS 29-8 down the stretch.
“We got back into the game, but we ran out of steam,” Everson said. “We can play with the best.”
PAS played at St. James Area on Monday before taking a break until a Dec. 29 game versus MACCRAY (Clara City) in the Borch’s Holiday Classic.
Read a separate item on holiday basketball in this week’s Pipestone County Star.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Amyra Mahik drives to the basket during a Tuesday, Dec. 16, game versus Luverne. Mahik scored nine points as the Arrows downed the Cardinals, 63-49. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
INFORMATION
Girls Basketball
Big South Conference
Tuesday, Dec. 16
At PAS Gymnasium
Pipestone Area 63, Luverne 49
Halftime score
PAS 39, Luverne 20
Luverne scorers
Khloe Visker, 10; Ella Schmuck, 2; Ingrid Schmuck, 12; Ingrid Mostad, 3; Taya Johnson, 11; Lucy Bose, 5; Kylie Kindt, 2; Briella John, 4
3-Pointers (9): I. Schmuck, 3; Visker, 3; Mostad, T. Johnson, Bose; Personal fouls: Cardinals, 14; Fouled out: None; Technical fouls: None
PAS scorers
Avery Reinhard, 2; Kenzley Pater, 6; Josie Danks, 3; Jadyn Kor, 22; Emersyn Smidt, 6; Taryn Tuinstra, 15; Amyra Mahik, 9
3-Pointers (8): Kor, 4; Tuinstra, 3; Mahik; Personal fouls: Arrows, 14; Fouled out: None; Technical fouls: None