The Dell Rapids Quarrier boys basketball team cruised past the Dakota Valley Panthers, 66-53, for their fifth straight win on Friday, February 8th, in Dell Rapids. The Quarriers never felt a threat on their lead the entire game. Dell Rapids jumped out to a 14-7 first quarter lead and extended that lead to 35-20 at halftime. Dakota Valley was able to cut the lead to 49-38 at the end of the third quarter, but that was as close as the Panthers got as the Quarriers were able to knock down the free throws in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.
Head coach Jason Fersdahl said, “This basketball game really had the feel of a post-season game, and I felt our team responded very well. We had an outstanding defensive effort, especially in the first half, and we really made Dakota Valley work for any good scoring opportunities they got. To hold a team like Dakota Valley to 20 points in the first half really shows how locked in we were on defense, and we dominated the boards by limiting them to one shot attempt on nearly every possession. Offensively, we were aggresssive and we were able to score in transition as well as in the half court.”
Dell Rapids was led by Cole Langer with 22 points and four assists. Bryce Koch added 14 points, 10 rebounds and six blocked shots. Spencer Kerzman added seven points for the Quarriers. Dakota Valley was led by Blake VanGinkel with 20 points. Isaac Faldmo added 11 points. The Quarriers shot 56% (25-44) from the field and 72% (16-22) from the free throw line. Dakota Valley shot 33% (18-53) from the field and 62% (10-16) from the free throw line. Dell Rapids only committed eight turnovers in the game.
“We did a good job of taking care of the basketball, and we did a great job of working the ball inside and not settling for perimeter shots. We were able to finish the game by converting free throw opportunities in the fourth quarter, led by Cole Langer and Jacob Morris, who each went 4-4 from the line down the stretch,” said Fersdahl.
The Quarriers improve to 11-5 overall and finish second in the Big Sioux Conference with a 5-2 conference record. Dell Rapids will face Spearfish in Mitchell at the DWU Classic at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 9th.
Highlights:
JV Results:
The Quarrier JV team defeated Dakota Valley 67-33. Riley Schmidt and Cody Nielsen led the Dell Rapids squad with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Schmidt was 6-8 from the line. The Quarriers led at all quarter breaks. Kahler Berven (2), Zane Schumaker, and Spencer Kost all had 3-pointers for Dell Rapids. Kost and Alec Riswold combined for 13 points in the fourth quarter.