STURGIS, SD – The Rapid City Stevens Raiders boys and girls basketball teams swept the Sturgis Scoopers on Saturday afternoon at West Gymnasium.
The Raider girls, ranked #4 in the latest Class AA poll, struggled early but turned on the pressure late, downing the Scoopers 60-33.
The Stevens boys trailed the entire game but some late game heroics by Dayler Segrist gave the Raiders a one-point victory over the Scoopers, 59-58.
The Scooper girls matched Stevens shot for shot in the first quarter and played stingy defense, holding the Raiders to just two field goals in 18 attempts. The score was tied at 8-8 headed into the second quarter.
Stevens returned the favor, forcing several Scooper turnovers in the second quarter with pressure defense. Sturgis could only manage four points in the second and the Raiders led 25-12 at halftime.
Stevens standout Taaliyah Porter came alive in the second half, scoring 10 of her game high 16 points, leading the Raiders to a 60-33 win.
Rapid City Stevens made 22 of 57 shots from the field (48%), 8 of 20 free throws (40%), committed seven turnovers and snagged 32 rebounds. The Raiders improved to 9-1 on the season. Sturgis was led by Addy Kossler with 10 points with Kierra Killinger chipping in seven. The Scoopers made 12 of 49 field goals (24%), 9 of 15 free throws (60%), made 21 turnovers and grabbed 36 rebounds. Sturgis falls to 3-4 on the year.
The Sturgis Scooper boys came into their matchup with the Stevens Raiders needing to regroup, following a 58-35 loss to the Rapid City Central Cobblers on Friday night.
The Scoopers came out strong, outscoring Stevens 12-10 in the first behind seven points by Carter Williams. Two three pointers by Hayden Rock and a three by Ryan Heinert helped the Scoopers outscore Stevens 14-10 in the second to give Sturgis a 26-20 halftime lead.
Rock popped in two more threes in the third quarter, extending the Sturgis lead to 41-34 headed into the fourth. Stevens cut into the Scooper lead midway through the fourth, and Sturgis led 55-47 with 2:24 left following two Heinert free throws. Two free throws by Raider forward Minkah Hawley with 2:11 left made it a six-point Sturgis lead, 55-49.
Stevens put on heavy man to man ball pressure, forcing Scooper turnovers on the next two possessions. The Raiders capitalized with a three-point play by Kaelem Brooks and a two-point bucket by Seth Paugh on their next two possessions, making the score Sturgis 55, Stevens 54 with 1:22 remaining.
Scooper guard Ty Ferguson took matters into his own hands on the next Sturgis possession, driving down the right side of the lane and using an effective ball fake to get Jess Christianson off his feet. Ferguson made the bunny and was fouled, converting an old fashioned three-point play to give Sturgis a 58-54 lead.
A jump hook by Hawley got Stevens within two points, 58-56 with :50 seconds left. The Scoopers brought the ball to halfcourt, and head coach Dan Skinner called a time out to take advantage of the possession. Sturgis spread the floor and moved the ball around the court, until Rock found Heinert on the low block. Heinert missed a short layup and Stevens grabbed the rebound with just :09 seconds left.
The Stevens Raiders came into the game against Sturgis fresh off of a three-overtime loss to Sioux Falls Jefferson on Jan. 14 and Raider head coach Chris Stoebner did not want to see a repeat of that contest. Stevens brought the ball up court quickly, finding Hawley at the free throw line. Hawley tossed the ball to Dayler Segrist, who stood just outside the three-point arc. Segrist squared up and nailed a clutch three with just 2.3 left on the clock, giving Stevens a 59-58 lead, their first lead of the game. The Scoopers had one opportunity left, as forward Carter Williams threw the ball down court to Heinert, who stood just past half court, but the Raiders deflected the ball and time ran out, giving Rapid City Stevens a thrilling 59-58 win.
Stevens (4-6) was led by Segrist with 14 points. Hawley added 12 points and nine rebounds. The Raiders drained 20 of 55 shots (36%), 14 of 21 free throws (66%), committed eight turnovers and grabbed 32 boards. Sturgis (2-6) made 14 of 48 field goals (29%), 19 of 21 charity tosses (90%), had 11 turnovers and 22 rebounds. Hayden Rock made four three pointers and scored 21 points for the Scoopers. Heinert added 10 points and seven rebounds.
The Scoopers are in actions next on Friday, Jan. 24 as they travel to Lead-Deadwood to take on the Golddiggers.
