Photo courtesy of Rhonda Rentz
The Dell Rapids Quarrier boys picked up their seventh win in a row in an overtime thriller against the Dakota Valley Panthers on Friday, February 9th at Dakota Valley High School. The Quarriers knocked off the #4 team in Class A by a score of 72-68.
The Quarriers got out to a quick start in the first quarter and led 21-16 by the first quarter break. Dakota Valley then locked down the Quarrier offense in the second quarter. The Panthers outscored Dell Rapids 22-8 to take a 38-29 lead into halftime. The Quarriers flipped the script in the third quarter. Dell Rapids outscored the Panthers 21-11 in the third quarter to hold a 50-49 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The teams went back and forth throughout the fourth quarter. Logan Heim hit the game-tying three-point shot with :28 to go in the game. Each team had a chance to win the game at the end of regulation, but the fourth quarter ended with the two teams tied at 62-62.
With Dell Rapids leading 67-66 with less than a minute left in overtime, Carson Rentz knocked down a tough runner from the middle of the lane to give the Quarriers a 69-66 lead. After a defensive stop and foul, Rentz made two free throws to push the lead to 71-66 with about :30 to go. Dakota Valley knocked down a basket to get back within three points at 71-68. Mason Schmidt was fouled with under :05 to play and made one of two free throws to push the lead to four points and seal the victory for Dell Rapids.
The Quarriers were led by Jeffrey Schuch, who had another double-double. Schuch had 27 points, 19 rebounds, four assists, and four blocked shots. Rentz had 15 points and eight assists. Schmidt finished the game with 12 points and six rebounds.
Dell Rapids (13-4) will play at the DWU Classic in Mitchell on Saturday, February 10th. The Quarriers will play St Thomas More at 1:00 p.m.