RAPID CITY – Warner rallied from a second-quarter deficit, but James Valley Christian closed the door late on Saturday afternoon.
The Vikings held off the Monarchs 56-50 for a seventh-place finish during the Class B Girls’ State Basketball Tournament at The Monument.
Warner coach Tina Winter was glad to see her team finish the tournament strong despite the end result.
“The girls played hard until the end,” Winter said. “Both teams today left everything they had left on the court and it was as competitive of a game as any of them have been, and that shows the level of basketball that’s out here this weekend.”
Warner came out with a strong opening quarter as the Monarchs used a balanced scoring attack to build an 11-6 lead, while only allowing James Valley Christian a pair of 3-point baskets.
However, the Vikings took over in the second quarter, outscoring the Monarchs 22-9 and leading by as many as 13. James Valley Christian got the quarter started with a pair of threes by Alexa Goertz, who led all scorers with 25 points on the day, including 10 during the Vikings’ second-quarter scoring outburst.
While the Vikings seized the momentum, Warner eventually got some back before the end of the half. The Monarchs posted just one field goal in the first five minutes of the quarter, but finished the half on a 7-2 run, cutting the deficit to eight at halftime.
Trailing by 31-20 with 5:16 remaining in the third quarter, Warner fought back to take a 41-40 lead with 5:30 left in the fourth quarter. Most of the Monarchs scoring during the stretch came from twin sisters Lauren and Kyra Marcuson, with Lauren recording nine points and Kyra adding seven.
James Valley Christian answered back with a 3-pointer by Goertz to give the Vikings a 43-41 lead. The Monarchs had one last run left, closing the margin down to 49-48. Warner had two chances to take the lead, before Addison Bartholow nailed a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 45 seconds left to help keep the Vikings in front.
Goertz made six key free-throws in the final two and a half minutes of the contest as the Vikings secured the seventh-place victory.
Kaylie Robinson scored 14 points, and Addison Bartholow added eight to the James Valley Christian total. The Vikings finished the year at 17-8.
Warner was led by Kyra Marcuson with 14 points, while Lauren Marcuson finished with 11. Sophia Hoeft had seven, while Kyleigh Schopp chipped in six.
The Monarchs finish the season with a 21-5 record and say goodbye to five seniors. Winter praised them for their efforts throughout their careers.
“I have a few seniors that closed out their careers with nothing to hang their heads about,” Winter said. “I’m proud of them for the leaders that they’ve grown into, and the rest of the team for what they’ve been able to accomplish.”
Overall, Winter was proud of the hard work the team put in and where they finished the season.
“Obviously we didn’t get the outcome we were hoping for this weekend, but that doesn’t take away any of the hard work and time the kids have put in to get themselves here,” Winter said. “They had a phenomenal season, and they earned their right to be one of the last eight standing.”
WARNER (21-5): Kyra Marcuson 1 11-12 14, Ava Nilsson 0 2-2 2, Kyleigh Schopp 3 0-0 6, Sophia Hoeft 2 1-4 7, Lauren Marcuson 5 1-2 11, Stacia Carda 2 0-0 4, Jordyn Jensen 2 0-0 4, MaKenna Leidholt 1 0-0 2. Totals 16 15-20 50.
JAMES VALLEY CHRISTIAN (17-8): Rhayonna Hood 2 0-0 4, Kaylie Robinson 5 2-6 14, Addison Bartholow 3 0-0 8, Alexa Goertz 6 9-13 25, Daril Frandsen 2 0-0 5. Totals 18 11-19 56.
Warner 11 20 36 50
James Valley Christian 6 28 40 56
3-point field goals – Hoeft (2), K. Marcuson; Goertz (4), Robinson (2), Bartholow (2), Frandsen. Total fouls – Warner 17; James Valley Christian 15. Rebounds – Warner 39 (Nilsson 14); James Valley Christian 30 (Addyson Knight 5, Robinson 5). Turnovers – Warner 19; James Valley Christian 25. Assists – Warner 13 (Nilsson 5); James Valley Christian 11 (Hood 5). Blocks – Warner 2 (Schopp, L. Marcuson). Steals – Warner 13 (Nilsson 5); James Valley Christian 15 (Robinson 7).
