Girls pick up a pair of road wins

By: 
Jason Ferguson

By Jason Ferguson

It was another week and another two road games for the Custer High School girls basketball team, as the Wildcats defeated Sturgis 53-44 last Tuesday before heading to Mitchell and defeating Crow Creek 55-47 at the Sacred Hoops Classic at the Corn Palace last Saturday.
Things didn’t start out looking like a win for the ’Cats in Mitchell, as Crow Creek burst out to a 16-7 lead at the end of the first period before Custer responded with a 21-2 run in the second quarter to take a lead it would never relinquish.
“I don’t know if we did anything in particular,” head coach Tobey Cass said of the difference between the first and second quarters. “We have been talking about mental toughness and physical toughness. We talked at the quarter break, they could play like they know how to play and get this game back, or they can roll over. They came out and started making buckets.”
Among those making the buckets were Ally Cass, who scored 20 points in the win, and Josey Wahlstrom, who added 12 points of her own while also grabbing 13 rebounds from the guard position.
“She was all over the boards. She did a good job,” Coach Cass said of Wahlstrom. “Those hustle stats—rebounds, steals, deflections, getting the loose ball—those are as or more important than points.”
Cass said Crow Creek has grown even stronger since it last played in the top bracket at LNI, and came out pressing the girls from the start of the game.
“That’s something we have worked on a ton is press break,” he said. “The girls have gotten stronger and more physical with the ball. We’re taking better care of it and doing something when we get it, moving, not hiding behind people. That showed in the  game.”
Against Sturgis, Cass said the Wildcats jumped on the Scoopers early but then went a little cold, which allowed the Scoopers to get back into the game, eventually cutting the Wildcat lead to one.
“I told the girls they wouldn’t go away,” Cass said. “The girls kind of got things figured out and we got back up. Those types of situations teach you a lot about yourself.”
The Wildcats eventually pulled away for the 53-44 win, bolstered by 16 points from Alice Sedlacek. Complete stats for this game were not available at press time.
The Wildcats are still playing without all-conference center Kellyn Kortemeyer, who continues to rehab a foot injury suffered during volleyball season.
The girls have a pair of games coming this week, beginning Saturday with a matchup at Red Cloud. The Crusaders are 6-1 for the season and were champions of the top bracket at the Lakota Nation Invitational. The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. tip.
Next Tuesday the team travels to Wall for a matchup with the 7-1 Eagles. The Eagles’ lone loss was to Rapid City Christian. The game will start at 7 p.m.
“Our schedule is tough. If they come out and play, there isn’t a team we can’t play with,” Cass said. “I don’t think you’re going to have an easy game from here on out. Keep your head, stay calm and collected. We have to limit turnovers and finish on the other end.”
Custer    7    21    14    13    —55
CCHS    16    2    9    20    —47
Custer—Allie Kelley 0-2 0-0 0, Jordyn Larsen 0-1 0-0 0, Ramsey Karim 2-8 2-2 8, Josey Wahlstrom 6-17 0-2 12, Ally Cass 8-16 2-2 20, Alice Sedlacek 4-13 0-0 8, Bailey Cass 2-8 0-0 4. Totals: 23-66 4-6 55.
Crow Creek—Justine Dog Eagle 0-2 0-0 0, Audrey Drapeau 4-8 1-4 10, Rozee Drapeau 0-5 0-0 0, DeeDrah Drapeau 5-8 6-7 18, Nataye Hislaw 1-7 0-0 2, Nateela Hislaw 1-11 2-4 4, Zoey Iron Cloud 5-10 3-4 13, Angelina LeBeau 0-2 0-0 0. Totals: 16-54 12-19 47.
Three-point goals: Custer 5 (Karim 2, Cass 2), CC 3 (D. Drapeau, R. Drapeau). Rebounding: Custer 38 (Wahlstrom 13), CC 39. Assists: Custer 13, CC 11. Steals: Custer 10, CC 4. Turnovers: Custer 12, CC 18. Total fouls: Custer 17, CC 10. Fouled out: none.

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