O'Gorman dominates Jefferson to advance to South Dakota girls basketball state semifinals
O’Gorman dominated on defense against Jefferson in the South Dakota girls state basketball tournament quarterfinals Thursday, forcing 31 turnovers and holding the Cavaliers to only 33% shooting in the Knights’ 69-42 win.
The Knights ended the regular season with a 21-0 record and are the overwhelming favorite to repeat as Class AA state champions.
“I’m just really pleased with how ready our kids were to play in the first game of the tournament. I was worried about nerves a little bit, but our kids were focused and locked in,” O’Gorman girls basketball coach Kent Kolsrud said. “I thought we really executed well.”
O’Gorman’s patented press forced 22 first-half turnovers, allowing the Knights to go into halftime with a 33-point lead. Julia Eggert and Ruby Moore led O’Gorman in steals with four apiece. Sydney Terveen added three and Tyla Mauney recorded two.
When Jefferson managed to break the O'Gorman's press, the Knights were aggressive and challenged the Cavaliers’ shooters. Jefferson sophomore and top scorer Brinley Altenburg was the only Cavaliers player to score in double digits. Altenburg recorded 10 points on 4-of-14 shooting, four rebounds, three assists, and five turnovers.
“Coach always says you win games by playing defense,” Eggert said of the Knights' defensive performance. “We know that we can run our offense and execute, but defense is really where I feel like we shine the most.
"We work hard, and we work together.”
The Knights' offense directly benefitted from their defense. Once O’Gorman created a turnover they got the ball down the floor quickly, consistently making the right pass to score as quickly as possible no matter who was on the end of those passes.The Knights recorded 19 assists as a team and outscored Jefferson in points off turnovers 28-8.
“They truly play for the name on the front of their jersey, not the name on the back of their shooting shirts,” Kolsrud said.
Moore and Terveen each recorded a game-high six assists.
Terveen tallied a game-high 17 points and also added five rebounds and six assists. Eggert scored 12 points, including eight in the second quarter when the Knights built their lead.
“She's just so disruptive, and so athletic,” Kolsrud said of Eggert’s second quarter performance.
Defeating Jefferson was just step one on O’Gorman's path to repeating as Class AA state champions.
“You have to turn the page now,” Kolsrud said. “Enjoy this one for a little bit, but we have to be ready for a really good basketball team tomorrow night at six.”
O’Gorman will face Rapid City Stevens in the semifinals on Friday, March 14, at 6 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: O'Gorman girls basketball beats Jefferson, advance to state semifinals
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