RAPID CITY, SD – The Sturgis Scooper basketball teams traveled to Naasz Gymnasium in Rapid City on Thursday night to take on the Rapid City Central Cobblers in their first and only meeting of the 2023-2024 campaign. The Sturgis Scooper boys are currently sitting at #15 in seed points, fighting for a spot in the postseason SoDak 16 playoffs. The Scooper boys took a big step towards a playoff berth with a 46-44 victory over the Cobblers.
It was a near statistical deadlock in the first half, as Sturgis led 12-11 after the first quarter and 21-18 at intermission. Hayden Rock led the Scoopers with five points at the half.
The Cobblers came out in the third quarter and took a six-point lead behind the hot hand of Trae Brandrup, who knocked down two three’s in the third quarter, pushing Central to a 34-32 lead headed into the fourth quarter.
The Scoopers led 45-44 with less than a minute remaining and had possession of the ball under the Cobbler basket. Rapid City Central had four fouls to give and put intense pressure on the inbounds play but couldn’t get Sturgis to turn the ball over. Ryan Heinert, who was held to four first half points, was fouled with four seconds to play and made one of two free throws to give Sturgis a 46-44 lead. Central called a timeout and drew up a play, but the last second shot by Isiah Whiting hit the front of the rim as time expired, giving the Scoopers the victory.
Sturgis improved to 6-10 on the season and was led by Heinert with 18 points and seven rebounds. Rock added eight points and seven boards. The Scoopers shot 31% from the field and 92% from the stripe, canning 12-of-13 free throws. Sturgis had 19 turnovers and 31 rebounds.
Whiting scored 11 points and snared six rebounds for Rapid City Central, who falls to 2-15. Jet Janvrin chipped in 10 points and seven rebounds. The Cobblers shot 36% from the field and had 16 turnovers and 33 rebounds. Central was 0-for-2 from the free throw line.
The Scooper girls started strong but couldn’t overcome a three-point second quarter, falling to the Rapid City Central Cobblers, 58-23.
Rapid City Central led 10-7 following the first quarter and were led by freshman Leah Landry, who canned six points. The Scoopers couldn’t buy a bucket in the second quarter and didn’t score until sophomore Tori Williams hit a long-range three pointer with less than 10 seconds remaining before halftime. Central led 23-10 at intermission.
The Scoopers cut the lead to 11 points early in the third quarter, but Central’s transition game was unstoppable, as Landry scored nine of Rapid City’s 19 points in the quarter to give the Cobblers a 42-19 lead headed into the fourth. Both squads brought in reserves for most of the final quarter and Rapid City cruised to a 58-23 victory.
Rapid City Central (8-10) was led by Landry, who scored 19 points and grabbed 20 rebounds. Landry shot 60% from the field for the game. Aaliyah Jones added 15 points for the Cobblers. Central shot 43% from the field and 50% from the free throw line, committing seven turnovers and securing 29 rebounds.
Willams scored nine points for Sturgis (3-13), who shot 22% from the field as a team and 50% from the stripe. The Scooper girls had 15 turnovers and 18 rebounds. Avreigh Long added eight points for Sturgis.
The Scooper boys and girls are in action again on Friday night at West Gym, as they host the Rapid City Stevens Raiders. The girls tip is scheduled for 6:30pm.
