MITCHELL – Aberdeen Central found points to be at a premium on Wednesday afternoon.
The Golden Eagles fell behind early and did not have enough offense to stay with Harrisburg in a 61-31 boys’ basketball setback during the Hoop City Classic at the Corn Palace.
“Offensively, we struggled to find flow and make plays while being pressured in the half court,” said Central coach Colton McClemans. “Harrisburg was very physical and athletic, and it made it tough to get to the basket off the dribble to get a layup or play off two feet in the lane and find an open shooter.”
The fifth-rated Tigers scored the first nine points of the game and soon opened a double-digit advantage, which they continued to build on throughout the course of the game.
Turnovers compounded things for the Golden Eagles.
“Turned it over 20 times,” McClemans said, “and it’s tough to put that much pressure on your defense to scramble and get the ball stopped when you’re at a disadvantage.”
Stellan Larson led Harrisburg with 17 points, David Doe followed with 13, and Crayton Jibbed finished with 10.
Quinn Rayman paced Central with nine points, all coming on 3-pointers.
The Golden Eagles, 1-4 on the season, play at Yankton on Saturday afternoon.
ABERDEEN CENTRAL (1-4): Bryson Burgard 1 2-2 5, Turner Bergan 1 2-2 5, Brenner Waldrop 2 0-0 4, Quinn Rayman 3 0-0 9, Gary Wade 1 0-0 2, Carter Board 2 2-2 6. Totals 10-39 6-6 31.
HARRISBURG (3-1): Cole Koolker 2 0-0 6, Crayton Jibben 4 0-0 10, Stellen Larson 7 2-2 17, David Doe 5 2-2 13, Myles Nour 2 1-1 6, Hudson King 1 0-0 3, Owen Sylliaasen 1 0-0 2, Hudson Hillman 1 0-0 2, Charlie Bender 1 0-0 2. Totals 24-51 5-5 61.
Aberdeen Central 6 16 18 31
Harrisburg 20 36 54 61
3-point field goals – Burgard, Bergen, Rayman 3; Koolker 2, Jibben 2, Larson, Doe, Nour, King. Total fouls – Aberdeen Central 10; Harrisburg 11. Rebounds – Aberdeen Central 22 (Bergen 4); Harrisburg 29 (Larson 5). Turnovers – Aberdeen Central 20; Harrisburg 10. Assists – Aberdeen Central 8; Harrisburg 12 (Koolker 3). Blocked shots – Aberdeen Central 2 (Waldrop 2). Steals – Aberdeen Central 5 (Kalen Larson 2, Board 2); Harrisburg 13 (Bennett Jensen 6).
