O’Gorman showcased why it is the top-rated Class AA girls’ basketball team Tuesday night.

The Knights used their pressure defense to fuel a 71-56 non-conference victory over fifth-rated Aberdeen Central at Golden Eagles Arena, snapping the host’s six-game winning streak in the process.

“I think we did do well breaking the press, but they’re just a really good scrappy team and they run,” said Central’s Kenadi Withers. “They run a lot, and I don’t think we were ready for that.”

Central did its best to prepare for the full-court press, including an unconventional way in practice.

“We had, I don’t know, like 10 girls running a press against us in practice,” said Central’s Lauryn Burckhard. “It was a lot, but it got us ready. They’re a good team, they played well and we just gotta do better.”

Not only did the OG full-court press cause problems for the Golden Eagles, Central had some other issues – like rebounding and rotating out to shooters – that prevented the hosts from taking down the top team in the state.

“All of the things that we struggled with, things that would have won us the game, or put us closer in this game are things that are within our control,” said Central coach Peyton Burckhard. “Not allowing second-chance opportunities, not allowing them to just shoot the three-point shot whenever they want it. Pursuing offensive rebounds. So, all those things are things that are within our control and are choices that we have to make.”

Central held its own to start the contest, thanks in part to eight points from Withers in the opening quarter.

“It felt good. I’m not used to scoring that much really, even in a game,” said Withers. “So just like running and the energy. I think it helped me and then it brought other people up and I think it was fun.”

The Knights were able to open a double-digit lead in the second quarter, making four shots from beyond the three-point arc. The margin grew early in the third period as Central failed to score until midway through the quarter.

“I just felt like when we would have a little sort of energy or we would have an aggressive take to the basket or we get a steal or a block and something that you would be like ‘Oh yeah, let’s build off of this,’ we didn’t,” said Coach Burckhard. “And we just didn’t take advantage of those energy plays. Those natural ones where you just kind of feel like you should just build off of that and keep going.”

Central trailed by 14 points head into the final eight minutes, but the Golden Eagles felt they were withing striking distance.

“I just looked up at the score and we were down by 16, 13 and I’m like I swear we were just like close to 8,” said Lauryn Burckhard. “I thought we played well, it’s just like I said, they’re a really good team.”

Burckhard, a sophomore, found success late in the game putting up 13 points in the second half, including a couple big shots in the fourth quarter.

“It was good bringing it back, but I should have brought it in the beginning. That’s what I was thinking the whole time,” Burckhard said. “I felt if I would have done that the whole game, then maybe the team would all follow and play off each other better.”

The Golden Eagles crossed off the first of their three straight games against the state’s elite squads. They will travel to Brandon Valley on Saturday, and then host Sioux Falls Washington next Thursday in the Civic Arena. Both teams are tied for second in the Class AA  media poll.

“I think that this will definitely help us prepare for the teams that we’re gonna see,” Withers said. “I mean, they’re still really good teams, but they won’t be as quick and as aggressive, but they’ll still be really good, tough matchups.”

Burckhard and Taryn Hermansen each had 16 points to lead Central, 7-2 on the season. Emma Dohrer followed with 10, and Withers finished with nine.

Burckhard, who also had a pair of blocks, said facing the Knights will help the team prepare for the next two potent foes.

“I think it got us ready really well because O’Gorman is one of the best teams,” she said. “They beat Washington, they beat Brandon, and they’re just preparing us to go play some good basketball against those teams.”

O’GORMAN (9-0): Sadie Mehrman 3 1-3 9, Kyra Hermanson 2 0-0 5, Ruby Moore 6 2-2 16, Sydney Terveen 7 2-2 19, Julia Eggert 3 1-2 7, Tyla Mauney 2 0-0 6, Abby Mikuska 1 0-0 2, Ellie Meyer 2 2-3 7. Totals 26 8-11 71.

ABERDEEN CENTRAL (7-2): Kamdyn Borge 2 0-0 5, Kenadi Withers 3 3-3 9, Emma Dohrer 3 3-4 10, Lauryn Burckhard 6 1-2 16, Taryn Hermansen 7 2-2 16. Totals 21 9-11 56.

O’Gorman 19 43 57 71

Aberdeen Central 11 31 43 56

3-point field goals – Mehrman 2, Hermanson, Moore 2, Terveen 3, Mauney 2, Meyer; Borge, Dohrer, Burckhard 3. Total Fouls – O’Gorman 10; Aberdeen Central 13. Rebounds – O’Gorman 25 (Eggert 6); Aberdeen Central 26 (Hermansen 7). Turnovers – O’Gorman 9; Aberdeen Central 22. Assists – O’Gorman 12 (Eggert 4); Aberdeen Central 11 (Borge 3, Dohrer 3). Steals – O’Gorman 15 (Moore 5); Aberdeen Central 7 (Borge 2, Dohrer 2). Blocks – O’Gorman 1 (Eggert 1); Aberdeen Central 3 (Burckhard 2).