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MONTEVIDEO — In his preseason prospectus, Pipestone Area Schools’ head girls basketball coach Grant Everson said to expect the Arrows to be strong on defense.
That’s exactly what happened in PAS’ season-opening game on Thursday, Nov. 20.
The Arrows held the Thunder Hawks to 10 first-half points en route to a 63-24 victory — a far cry from the competitive 2024 game PAS won at home by just nine.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Avery Reinhard (4) and Kenzley Pater (number hidden) play tough defense on Montevideo’s Joya Anspach (23) during a non-conference game on Thursday, Nov. 20. The Arrows held the Thunder Hawks to 10 first-half points in a comfortable 63-24 win. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
“It was really nice to see our defensive effort in the first half,” Everson said. “Obviously, there are some things to clean up on that end. When you can hold a team to 10 points in a half and force 20-plus turnovers, you are doing something right.”
PAS’ full-court pressure stymied Montevideo the entire game, a major factor in such a decisive win. Montevideo was 8-of-42 on field goals (19 percent) and 8-of-22 from the free-throw stripe (36.4 percent).
The Arrows will spend time watching film on areas to clean up, Everson noted, with several players getting into foul trouble because they were out of position in half-court sets.
However, on offense, the Arrows were able to get the kind of shots they wanted, including shooting 60 percent from the floor in the opening half. PAS connected on 26-of-59 shots overall (44.1 percent).
Pipestone Area Schools’ Avery Reinhard scored 10 points on four field goals and two free throws in the win. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Jadyn Kor, who recently signed with Wayne State College in Nebraska, netted a game-high 26 points on 10 field goals and 1-of-2 from the free-throw line. She connected on 5-of-10 3-pointers and also blocked two shots.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Jadyn Kor wins the jump ball to start the 2025-26 season. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Amyra Mahik and Avery Reinhard also cracked double-digit scoring with 13 and 10 points, respectively. Mahik was the team leader in assists with seven.
Josie Danks was top rebounder with nine caroms, and also snagged a team-best six steals.
Overall, the Arrows had 19 steals, including four more from Mahik and Reinhard’s three swipes.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Emersyn Smidt (22) plays tough defense in the post during a Nov. 20 game versus Montevideo. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Montevideo hardly posed a threat.
PAS rolled to a 21-2 lead by the 10:58 mark of the first half. Kor tallied the final eight points in the opening salvo, pushing the Arrow margin to 44-10.
A Danks’ basket made the score 58-12 with 11:58 remaining in the second half, a 46-point bulge which served as the Arrows’ largest lead.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Josie Danks shoots during a Nov. 20 game at Montevideo. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Moment of silence
Before the game, a moment of silence was conducted to honor the memory of former Montevideo player Hallie Helgeson — who was killed along with her boyfriend Brady Heiling in an auto accident as the pair was returning from a concert in Madison, Wis., last summer.
An alleged drunk driver traveling the wrong way on an interstate was reportedly responsible.
Helgeson scored 17 points, including five 3’s, during the 2024 game versus the Arrows.
Pipestone Area Schools’ head coach Grant Everson talks with the team during a timeout. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Thanksgiving Classic
PAS will square off versus Adrian-Ellsworth at 1 p.m.
“We are excited to get some game action in over the holiday break,” Everson said. “They (Adrian-Ellsworth) has been a very successful team the past couple of seasons. They will be a great test for us early in the year.”
Pipestone Area Schools’ Kenzley Pater fights through a double team to get a shot during this Nov. 20 game. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Non-conference
Thursday, Nov. 20
At Montevideo
Pipestone Area 63, Montevideo 24
Halftime Score
PAS 44, Montevideo 10
Pipestone Area (63)
Player FG FTM-FTA Pts. PF
Rhaelee Heidebrink 0 0-0 0 1
Julia Berkenpas 0 0-0 0 1
Avery Reinhard 4 2-3 10 2
Kenzley Pater 1 0-2 2 2
Josie Danks 4 0-0 8 1
Jadyn Kor 10 1-2 26 2
Emersyn Smidt 2 0-0 4 5
Taryn Tuinstra 0 0-0 0 4
Amyra Mahik 5 2-2 13 3
Totals 26 5-9 63 20
3-Pointers (6): Kor, 5; Mahik, 1; Fouled out: Emersyn Smidt; Technical fouls: None.
Montevideo (24)
Player FG FTM-FTA Pts. PF
Jillian Magnuson 2 2-5 6 3
Megan Koosmann 2 1-6 5 3
Emma Johnson 0 0-0 0 2
Brooklyn Shourds 1 5-6 7 1
Addison Rodeberg 0 0-4 0 2
Callie Andrews 1 0-1 2 0
Nora Williamson 1 0-0 2 0
Joya Anspach 0 0-0 0 2
Elliana Steinbach 1 0-0 2 0
Totals 8 8-22 24 13
3-Pointers: None; Fouled out: None; Technical Fouls: None.