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Junior high Lady Tigers split season’s first two games

OHS Tiger Tales

BLOOMFIELD — The Osmond Lady Tiger junior high school girls’ basketball team started the season Saturday, Jan. 11, at the Bloomfield Junior High Basketball Tourney in Bloomfield by falling to Wynot Blue Devils 25-13 and then defeating the Santee Warriors (22-21).

The first game of the season came against Wynot, a nice test for the Tigers.

“We spend several weeks practicing and preparing, but nothing is better to help the team and individuals improve except playing against another team, especially a good team,” Coach Scott Morrison said.

Wynot drew this out of the Lady Tigers, who struggled at times defensively and handling the ball, but they also showed numerous positives. The first half was a little rough for the Lady Tigers, who found themselves down 19-3 to begin the third quarter, but in the third, the Tigers allowed the Blue Devils just two points. They also allowed just four points in the fourth quarter.

Individually the Tigers all proved to be bright spots. Anabelle Vinson was strong throughout the game. She did a nice job around the hoop, being aggressive rebounding the ball and shooting the ball. Caydence Krienert showed confidence in handling the ball and taking it to the hoop.

Erin Wagner did a nice job overall, playing defense, rebounding, looking to pass in the right situations, and being confident in shooting the ball. Julianna Kumm had a great game. She was really aggressive and she did a nice job anticipating passes. Her classmate, Callie Hoffman, also had a nice game as she showed marked improvement in being aggressive and shooting the ball.

Brianna Kumm also did a nice job as she came in and played well. Jamie Gubbels got her first time of the season; Keely Gubbels played in her first game as well.

“I am really excited about how we responded in the second half,” Morrison said. “This was a positive experience because we learned a lot about our girls and how everyone will be able to contribute to the team.”

The second game of the tournament was a positive experience for the Lady Tigers as well. The Tigers won the game 22-21, which came thanks in part to a field goal by Sophie Gansebom with :30 remaining in the game.

The basket came after a steal from Keli Aschoff that led to an offensive possession by the Tigers. After the Lady Tigers had taken a shot and Warriors got the rebound, Gansebom got the ball back about six feet from the hoop. She went in for an uncontested layup and scored to give the Tigers the lead.

The Lady Tigers had to hold off the Warriors for the remaining time, which ultimately included one defensive stop and one offensive possession where they had to hold the ball. Tessa Gardner did a nice job of finding an open Aschoff on a sideline out of bounds play at with seven seconds remaining in the game. Anna Kahny and Erin Wagner both played really well defensively.

“Overall, our girls showed some resiliency as the game went on,” Morrison said. “It was fun to watch them keep giving their best effort throughout the game.”

The Lady Tigers started out the game really well as they were up 6-0 and Santee was cold shooting the ball. However, as the game progressed, the Warriors started to heat up to where finally they took a lead in the fourth quarter.

The Tigers did a good job keeping calm as the game neared its end and they did not have the lead. The game was also a nice opportunity for the Tigers to learn as they continue to improve.

“One of the biggest areas we need to improve is on defense,” Morrison said. “We need to shore up our press, and we need to work on individual and team half court defenses.”

The Tigers played on Monday, Jan. 13, at Hartington, and will play in Osmond againstWausa on Thursday, and then again on Saturday in Osmond against Summerland.

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