Both the Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinal girls and boys basketball teams posted big wins on the road in Chester on Monday, December 28th. The girls team won 53-37 over the Flyers, while the boys team had a 70-35 victory.
After a quick 3-0 start by Chester to start the game, the Cardinals controlled every part of the game the rest of the way. St Mary outscored Chester 23-5 for a 23-8 lead by the end of the first quarter. The lead grew to 20 points by halftime at 33-13. St Mary led 44-23 after three quarters.
The pressure defense caused problems for the Flyers all game long. St Mary forced 20 Chester turnovers with 12 of those coming off steals. The Cardinals also held the Flyers to just 23% (13-56) shooting from the field. St Mary finished the game shooting 31% (18-59) from the field, 29% (6-21) from three-point area, and 58% (11-19) from the free-throw line.
Ella Griffin had a game-high 20 points. Ella Heinitz had 18 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Courtney Brown added five points, four rebounds, and three steals. Karlie Klein had four points and five rebounds.
The Cardinal boys team also took control of their game early in the first quarter. The score was tied 6-6, and St Mary then went on a 15-1 run to close out the first quarter leading 21-7. Chester closed the gap by one at 30-17 at halftime. The Cardinals then outscored Chester 25-10 in the third quarter to lead 55-27 heading into the final quarter.
St Mary took advantage of a tough offensive night for Chester. The Flyers shot just 22% (12-55) from the field, 20% (3-15) from three-point area, and 47% (8-17) from the free-throw line. St Mary rebounded from a week ago by shooting 50% (27-54) from the field, 32% (8-25) from three-point area, and 53% (8-15) from the free-throw line.
Connor Libis had a game-high 26 points along with four assists and two steals. Sam Palmer had 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. Max Herber finished with a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds. Ashaun Roach-Valandra added nine points and five rebounds. John Pica finished with six points and four rebounds.
The Cardinal boys (3-1) will play the Dell Rapids Quarriers at the Entringer Classic on Thursday, December 31st at 5:00 p.m. in Colman. The Cardinal girls (4-1) will travel to Garretson on Tuesday, January 5th.