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Roncalli defense back to form in win over White River

Aberdeen Roncalli’s Olivia Hanson, right, takes off up the floor ahead of White River’s Kelsey Morrison, left and Kamaria Krogman, back right, during Friday afternoon’s consolation round game at the South Dakota Class B Girls Basketball Tournament in Watertown. In the background are Roncalli’s Ava Hanson, back left and White River’s Lilly Krogman, back center. Photo by John Davis taken 3/11/2022

WATERTOWN – After a subpar outing, the Aberdeen Roncalli defense was back in full force at the Watertown Civic Arena Friday afternoon.

The Cavaliers held White River to six points in the first 14 minutes and rolled to a 59-44 win during consolation round action at the State B Girls’ Basketball Tournament in a game that featured last year’s State A champs against last year’s State B champs.

“Our game style is defense and (Thursday) we didn’t show that,” said Roncalli senior Olivia Hanson. “We said we’re going to show up and we’re going to play our game. We’re going to play defense, we’re going to sit down and not let anyone get to the rim, and it worked.”

Hanson had her hands full trying to slow down White River scoring machine Mayleigha Estes, who averaged 27 points per game this season. Estes finished with 25 points, but ended up taking 30 shots from the field and 12 free throws to get there.

“She’s a really good player. I know Olivia had a lot of good players that she went against last year also, this is up there with the best in the state,” said Roncalli coach Derek Larson. “I know she scored a lot of points, but she earned the points she got, that’s for sure.”

Hanson said she just tried her best to keep Estes in front of her and then relied on her teammates to help out.

“She’s a good player. She’s shifty. She’s got moves. It’s kind of hard to stop, but sit down, get in front of her,” Hanson said. “You know you’re going to get screened for her to get open. Get through that screen and get back on her. You have to have good help side defense in this, because she’s going to get by you. We did a very good job help side defense and it worked. I’m mean she’s a good player and she’s going to score.”

By the time Estes got going, Roncalli had a comfortable advantage. The Cavaliers owned a 31-11 lead before Estes scored her first basket of the contest, that coming in the third quarter.

Larson said another factor in the game was his team’s defensive rebounding.

“I thought we did a really good job of defensive rebounding,” he said. “We limited them to pretty much one opportunity every time down the floor, which was a big impact in the game today.”

Meanwhile, the Roncalli offense was orchestrated by Morgan Fiedler. The senior point-guard consistently beat her defender off the dribble, got into the lane and finished at the rim on the way to scoring 18 points.

“She is really quick. We called a couple of sets for her to get some open looks,” Larson said. “Again, there’s not many faster kids in the state than her, so we usually like that advantage.”

Aberdeen Roncalli’s Morgan Fiedler, center, goes up with a shot attempt between White River’s Kelsey Morrison, left, and Karlie Cameron, right, during Friday afternoon’s consolation round game at the South Dakota Class B Girls Basketball Tournament in Watertown. Looking on are the Cavaliers’ Olivia Hanson, bottom far right and Ella Hanson, top right. In the background for the Tigers is Kamaria Krogman. Photo by John Davis taken 3/11/2022

Fiedler can finish with either hand and score over taller defenders. She can also step out and hit three-pointers.

When asked how she decides what to do when she has the basketball, Fiedler responded, “You have to attack their weak foot. If they can keep me in front of them, then I’ll respect them for that and I’ll take the ball out and kick it.”

Hanson followed with 17 points and Madelyn Bragg added 16.

White River, 18-5 on the season, plays Wall for seventh place at noon today.

Roncalli, 23-2, will conclude its season against Aberdeen Christian in the fifth place game at 1:45 this afternoon.

“It’s definitely bittersweet,” Morgan said of her final high school game. “I’m so excited to play this last game with my best friends. It’s going to be fun.”

Larson knows that it promises to be an emotional game for a group of decorated seniors who played a major role in the school’s only state girls’ basketball championship.

“It will definitely be an emotional one watching those kids play for the last time,” Larson said. “Often times you never know when your last game is in high school. They know (Saturday) is going to be their last one. Just happy for them to be in this spot. To have a chance to win their last game is going to be big for them.”

WHITE RIVER (18-5): Maleighya Estes 9-30 7-12 25, Kelsey Morrison 2 0-0 5, Maleena Brave 1 0-0 2, Kamaria Krogman 2 0-0 6, Lilly Krogman 2 0-0 6. Totals 16-51 7-12 44.

ABERDEEN RONCALLI (23-2): Madelyn Bragg 5 5-6 16, Morgan Fiedler 8 1-7 18, Jeci Ewart 1 0-0 3, Olivia Hanson 7 1-3 17, Ella Hanson 1 1-2 3, Ava Hanson 1 0-0 2. Totals 23-50 8-18 59.

White River 3 11 22 44

Aberdeen Roncalli 10 29 50 59

3-point field goals – Morrison, K. Krogman 2, L. Krogman 2; Bragg, Fiedler, Ewart, O. Hanson 2. Total fouls – White River 14; Aberdeen Roncalli 9. Rebounds – White River 26 (Estes 8, Rhea Tucker 7); Aberdeen Roncalli 35 (Ewart 6, O. Hanson 6). Turnovers – White River 8; Aberdeen Roncalli 9. Steals – White River 6 (Estes 3); Aberdeen Roncalli 5.

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