STURGIS, SD — The Rapid City Christian Comets boys and girls basketball teams swept the Sturgis Scoopers at West Gym on Tuesday night.
The Lady Comets, behind Olivia Kieffer’s 32 points, ran away with a 63-33 victory over the Scoopers in the girls matchup.
Sturgis played a solid first quarter, out scoring the Lady Comets 15-14 and handling the full court ball pressure. Rapid City Christian went on a 25-7 run in the second quarter, making nine of 23 shots from the field and five of six free throws to take a 38-22 lead at the half. The Scoopers could only manage 11 points in the second half and fell to the Lady Comets, who improved to 6-2 on the season. Sturgis dropped to 0-6.
”We had a good game plan, we came out and executed and the girls did a really good job against that press,” said Scooper head coach Courtney Pool. “That’s something we’ve struggled with a bit this year. Tonight we had a lot of good shots at the basket, but then we start to panic and throw up shots that we shouldn’t and we don’t stay disciplined in what we’re doing.”
Rapid City Christian shot 43% from the field and made 10 of 13 free throws for 76%. The Lady Comets committed 16 turnovers and grabbed 32 rebounds. Alexa Ham chipped in 13 points and 11 rebounds for Rapid City Christian.
Sturgis was led by Landry Haugen with nine points and six rebounds. The Lady Scoopers were 12 of 59 from the field for 20% and five of 13 from the free throw line for 38%, committing 21 turnovers and grabbing 26 rebounds.
Rapid City Christian’s boys squad used a big fourth quarter to beat the Scoopers, 74-60.
The Comets outscored the Scoopers 16-11 in the first and led 33-25 at the half behind two three’s each by Sam Fischer and Simon Kieffer.
Sturgis was down 10 points late in the third quarter, then went on a 10-0 run on three pointers by Ty Buus, Ryan Heinert and Gavin Lightenberg to trail 49-45 headed into the fourth. The Comets caught fire in the final quarter, out scoring the Scoopers 25-15 to secure the win.
”If you’d have told me we would score 60 points tonight I’d have said our chances are pretty good to win,” said Scooper head coach Derris Buus. “You’ve got to give (Rapid City Christian) credit. They shoot it well and we knew that coming in. If you don’t get back and defend in transition, they’re going to make you pay.”
Sturgis (2-3) was led by Dysen Peterson with 16 points. Jake Vliem added 15 points and 8 boards and Tyan Buus chipped in 10 points. The Scoopers shot 41% from the field and 46% from the charity stripe, committing 11 turnovers and snaring 23 rebounds.
Rapid City Christian (8-0) also had three players in double figures. Fischer scored 17 with Simon and Benson Kieffer both adding 15 points each. The Comets shot 43% from the field and 69% on free throws, had 11 turnovers and won the rebound battle with 37 boards.
The Scoopers are in action next on Friday when the Rapid City Central Cobblers visit West Gym. The girls tip is scheduled for 6:30pm.
