Shots were falling, the defense rose to the occasion, and Aberdeen Roncalli recorded a bounce-back boys’ basketball victory on Saturday afternoon.
The Cavaliers pulled away from a three-point lead heading into the final quarter to secure a 57-41 win over Dell Rapids during the Cavalier Classic at Roncalli Gym.
“We played so physical tonight with intensity, tenacity,” said Roncalli coach Dan Gallagher. “We didn’t give them really anything easy on their offensive end. We were patient with the basketball, didn’t force things that didn’t need to be forced.”
The Cavaliers were asked a question following back-to-back setbacks this week and they responded.
“We talked about it (Friday), we have 17 games to go,” Gallagher said. “Are we going to let the last two games define our season or are we going to step up, rebound, and the guys did just that.”
Leading just 39-36 after the third period, Roncalli nailed four 3-pointers on the way to an 18-5 fourth-quarter finish to seal the victory.
The Cavaliers were led by a pair of transfers from Aberdeen Central. Sam Franks scored a career-high 17 points, while Cam Olson contribute nine in his first game in a Roncalli uniform.
“That’s my best varsity game so far,” Franks said. “Hopefully, some more better ones to come, though. I think the whole team did great, though.”
Franks made three three-pointers on the way to his total.
“The first one you make, toes are pretty much on the line,” Franks said, “and then you get the confidence, you take a step back … two steps backs.”
The 6-foot-7 Olson made an immediate impact for the Cavaliers.
“It’s always hard joining a new team and fitting in,” Olson said, “but they’ve been pretty welcoming, everyone so far. It’s just a great team to be on and I fit in pretty well.”
The senior said there is a difference between Class AA and Class A, but found the competition much more like the larger schools because of 6-11 Dell Rapids center Jack Kloth.
“Tonight was kind of like Class AA, because there was a lot of tall guys,” Olson said. “I’m usually used to that in the AAs.”
Tad Tjaden led Dell Rapids with a game-high 20 points, but only managed three points in the second half.
Aiden Fisher added 11 points to the Roncalli total, while Jesse Hernandez and Olson each finished with nine.
The Cavaliers nailed a total of a dozen 3-pointers in the contest.
“It’s always nice to have shooters on the outside,” Olson said, “so if I get it in and they start collapsing on me, then I can kick it out and they’ve got a good three.”
Roncalli, 2-2 on the season, is off until after Christmas, when the Cavaliers compete in the Parkston Classic on Monday, Dec. 30.
DELL RAPIDS (1-2): Karson Paye 1 2-4 4, Tad Tjaden 8 1-1 20, Jack Kloth 2 1-2 6, Lincoln Anderson 2 0-0 6, Ryan Brandenburg 1 0-0 2, Jackson Peppel 1 0-0 2. Totals 15-42 4-7 41.
ABERDEEN RONCALLI (2-2): Jesse Hernandez 3 0-0 9, Aiden Fisher 4 0-0 11, Sam Franks 7 0-0 17, Parker Grieben 1 0-0 2, Cam Olson 3 2-3 9, Sam Larson 2 0-0 5, Jackson Lewno 1 0-0 3, Tom Niederbaumer 0 1-2 1. Totals 21-47 3-4 57.
Dell Rapids 14 27 36 41
Aberdeen Roncalli 10 28 39 57
3-point field goals – Paye, Tjaden 3, Kloth, Anderson 2; Hernandez 3, Fisher 3, Franks 3, Olson, Larson, Lewno. Total fouls – Dell Rapids 5; Aberdeen Roncalli 11. Rebounds – Dell Rapids 25 (Kloth 7); Aberdeen Roncalli 35 (Weinmeister 7). Turnovers – Dell Rapids 9; Aberdeen Roncalli 9.
