It was a Rebel sweep over the Panthers Thursday evening from the Panther Pit at Storm Lake St. Mary’s High School.
The Panther Girls came into the new year with a record of 1-4 overall, where Sioux Central was 3-3. The Rebels jumped out to a 35-16 halftime lead with Junior Guard Bradi Krager erupting for 16 first half points. The Rebels consistently bothered the Panthers with a full court press resulting in many turnovers and only allowing four points in the second half to finish with a 62-20 victory.
Krager tallied 19 points total on the night with help from Junior Morgan Christian, who scored 15. As for the Panthers, it was Sydney Hurd who led the charge racking up 14 points of her own.
Both teams are back in action on Friday. Sioux Central now improves to 4-3 on the season with a trip to West Bend-Mallard. Storm Lake St. Mary’s falls to 1-5 and will travel over to South Central Calhoun.
The boys matchup featured a tale of two different teams. Sioux Central came into night 5-0 with their eyes set on their first victory of 2023. Storm Lake St. Mary’s were winless on the young season, but were hoping to bring good enough energy to stage an upset.
The Rebels propelled themselves to a quick 9-0 start before Bennett Smith crack the code to get the Panthers into the scoring column. However, Sioux Central finished the quarter on a 16-2 run, concluding with a 25-4 lead into the second. The Rebels improved their defense allowing just a single point in the second, a free throw make by Smith, while scoring 18 second quarter points to take a 43-5 lead into half and would go on to win the game 58-13.
The Panthers were held scoreless in the third quarter and didn’t get another bucket until about three minutes into the final quarter. Defensively, they held the Rebels to only second half points.
Rebel Senior Guard Carter Boettcher led the way scoring 17 points. Jacob Hargens, who has been averaging 30 points per game finished with 12. On the Panther side, Bennett Smith notched his way to 10 points and it was Owen Keenan who scored a late three to be the only other player besides Smith to score.
Sioux Central is still spotless at 6-0 with a date with West Bend-Mallard on Friday. Storm Lake St. Mary’s will be seeking their first win on Friday on the road at South Central Calhoun.
