The Dell Rapids Quarriers boys basketball team picked up a hard-fought win on Friday, February 15th, against the Lennox Orioles, 51-48, in Dell Rapids. The win was the eighth straight for Dell Rapids. The Quarriers led the game from start to finish, including leading by 15-8 at the end of the first quarter and 30-16 at halftime. Lennox was able to chip into the lead in the third quarter and trailed 36-27 at the end of the quarter. The Orioles made a ferocious comeback in the final minutes of the game. Lennox trailed 43-34 with 3:07 left to go, but cut that down to 44-40 with just 1:27 left in the game. The Orioles hit a couple of three-pointers and pulled within two points at 50-48 with just :13 left. After Jacob Morris hit one of two free throws, Lennox had a chance to tie the game on a last-second three-point shot, but the shot fell away no good, and Dell Rapids hung on for the win.
Head coach Jason Fersdahl said, “Our first half against Lennox was some of the best basketball we have played all year. We really dominated the rebounding battle against Lennox, and that is good because we did not shoot the ball very well, especially in the second half. I was pleased that we continued to work for high percentage shots on offense, but it was just one of those nights where the shots just would not go in. That being said, we came out on top against a pretty good Lennox team by doing some other things very well. We ended the game with only seven turnovers, and I thought our defensive intensity was good throughout the game. Bryce Koch really dominated the paint against a tall and strong Lennox team.”
Koch led the Quarriers with 22 points and 19 rebounds. Zach White added nine points, and Cole Langer finished with eight points and nine rebounds. Lennox was led by Alex Lane with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Tyler Harms finished with 10 points for the Orioles. Dell Rapids shot 32% (17-53) from the field, 0% (0-7) from three-point area, and 59% (17-29) from the free throw line. Lennox shot 47% (21-45) from the field, 36% (4-11) from three-point area, and 33% (2-6) from the free throw line in the game.
“We have currently won eight straight games, and I feel we are building some good momentum heading into post season play. We wanted to be playing our best basketball of the season as we approach Districts, and I think we are beginning to do that. Our district and regional competition will be the most competitive of any in Class A, but our players are playing with much more confidence right now and we really believe we can play with any team in the state,” said Fersdahl.
Dell Rapids improves to 14-5 on the year. The Quarriers will finish their regular season against Pipestone at home on Friday, February 22nd, before district tournament play begins.
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