SISSETON – Aberdeen Roncalli was efficient on offense, solid on defense and cruised to a victory on Thursday night.
The Cavaliers used a strong second quarter to pull away from Sisseton in a 64-35 Northeast Conference boys’ basketball win.
“We played really well in all facets of the game,” said Roncalli coach Dan Gallagher. “I thought that was one of the better games for our offense. It seemed like we were moving a lot more efficiently, the ball was moving around the perimeter, (and) we rarely settled for bad shots tonight.”
While the offense was humming along, Gallagher said the defense was just as aggressive.
“Our defense really stepped up, too,” Gallagher said. “We kind of came out sluggish, giving up more points than we would’ve liked in the first 7-8 minutes, and then all of a sudden we started to get a lot more transition, a lot more steals, things like that, so overall just a good team win I thought.”
The key point in the game came in the second quarter, when the Cavaliers outscored the Redmen 23-12 take a convincing 37-20 lead into the halftime break. Gallagher described the second-quarter outburst.
“It started off with Keegan (Stewart). He was playing lights out tonight. He hit a couple of big buckets from behind the arc,” Gallagher said. “That’s when our transition really got going. We got in the passing lanes, got some tip-outs, (and) pushed the ball ahead. We attacked the basket a lot more frequently than I feel we have so far this season.”
Stewart led the Cavaliers with a game-high 27 points, including three 3-pointers. Aiden Fisher had eight points, while Maddox Miller, Parker Grieben, and Brody Weinmeister each contributed six.
Sisseton was led by Christian Shepherd with eight points, while Nate Tchida had seven and Austin Kohl contributed six. The Redmen (2-6) will host Hankinson, N.D. on Monday.
Roncalli, which evened its record to 4-4 on the season, will travel to Warner on Saturday.
Gallagher said while the win over Sisseton felt good, there is still work to be done to improve.
“We had goals to keep building that defensive identity we want to get going,” Gallagher said. “Two straight games with 30 points given up, it’s solid, but we’re nowhere near where we want to be yet. We’re going see the things that we can still clean up, see what we have to fix, and get ready for a solid Warner team on Saturday.”
ABERDEEN RONCALLI (4-4): Maddox Miller 3 0-0 6, Caden Shelton 1 0-0 2, Keegan Stewart 8 8-10 27, Aiden Fisher 4 0-0 8, Parker Grieben 2 2-4 6, Brody Weinmeister 3 0-0 6, Jesse Hernandez 1 0-0 3, Bryson Olson 1 0-0 3, Danny Schumacher 1 0-0 3. Totals 14 10-14 64.
SISSETON (2-6): Mason Herzog 1 0-0 2, Nate Tchida 2 1-2 7, Austin Kohl 2 0-0 6, Christian Shepherd 4 0-0 8, Gage Hanson 0 0-2 0, Ethan DeSpiegler 0 2-2 2, Bradley Hanson 1 1-2 3, Hayden Hellwig 1 0-0 2, Jeremias Perez 1 1-1 3, Dana Brave Bull 1 0-0 2. Totals 13 5-9 35.
Aberdeen Roncalli 14 37 51 64
Sisseton 8 20 25 35
3-point field goals – Stewart (3), Hernandez, Olson, Schumacher; Tchida (2), Kohl (2). Total fouls – Aberdeen Roncalli 14; Sisseton 15.
