Oakes scored 16 points in the first six minutes of action and flew past Aberdeen Christian Thursday night.

The Tornadoes used effective interior passing and balanced scoring on the way to a 52-20 non-conference girls’ basketball win at the Aberdeen Civic Arena.

“The idea was to move the ball around a little bit, find better shots,” said first-year Oakes coach Judy Hansen.

That idea proved to be fruitful as five different players scoring in the opening period when the Tornadoes erupted for 21 points.

The Knights outscored Oakes in the second period to climb back into the game only to have the Tornadoes put together another 21-point quarter in the third stanza.

Again, the visitors shared the ball as seven players scored during the third-quarter surge.

“Everybody is touching the ball. They’re all improving,” Hansen said. “Everyone is working so hard in practice to get better.”

It turned out to be a special night for Oakes senior Laikyn Roney, who scored her 1,000th career point late in the first quarter.

“She’s just a great leader. The kids look to her,” Hansen said. “She’s solid. She’s steady. She’s the kid that does everything we need and ask of her in practice.”

Roney was not even aware she was that close to the total.

“I thought I was a little bit away, so I was surprised,” Roney said. “I figured it was a couple of games away.”

She is the third Oakes player in recent years to accomplish the feat.

“It’s a huge milestone. A lot of (Oakes) players have done it, two of them were my teammates,” Roney said. “They were very phenomenal teammates and I looked up to them, and it’s nice to see that I can do just what they did.”

Emma Muggli topped the Tornadoes with 10 points, while Roney and Lily Thorpe each added nine.

“This year we’ve shared it around and found the open things,” Roney said. “I noticed that it just goes everywhere and everyone is always scoring.”

The Knights were playing shorthanded, missing one starter and two key reserves.

“We still have a lot of work to do,” said Knights coach Cristian Martinez, “but we’re focusing on the conditioning and training is what we’re doing right now.”

Chloe Holt had six points and five rebounds, while Bailey Hunstad scored five points.

Jolie Fogarty, making her first career start, finished with three points, three rebounds and four steals.

“It was outstanding defense,” Martinez said. “I’m really happy and surprised with her performance.”

Martinez was also pleased with the way his players stepped up and shot the ball with confidence.

“This is how it starts. You don’t know if you’re going to make it if you don’t shoot it,” Martinez said. “We’re trying to build up the confidence.”

The Knights will take on Stanley County Saturday at the Pheasant Shoot Out in Redfield.

OAKES: Brynn Dethlefsen 1 0-0 2, Laikyn Roney 4 1-2 9, Kassidy Jackson 2 0-0 4, Lily Thorpe 4 1-2 9, Emma Muggli 5 0-0 10, Brianna Schmitz 1 0-0 2, Ann Muggli 2 0-0 4, Joci Quandt 1 2-2 4, Tyler Thompson 1 0-2 2, Kate Harris 2 0-0 6. Totals 23 4-8 52.

ABERDEEN CHRISTIAN: Rachel Beaner 1 0-0 2, Bailey Hunstad 2 0-0 5, Sophia Fogarty 1 2-6 4, Chloe Holt 2 2-6 6, Jolie Fogarty 1 0-0 3. Totals 7 4-12 20.

Oakes 21 26 47 52

Aberdeen Christian 3 13 17 30

3-point field goals – Harris 2; Hunstad, J. Fogarty. Fouled out – S. Fogarty. Total fouls – Oakes 8; Aberdeen Christian 9. Rebounds – Oakes 38 (Thorpe 6, E. Muggli 5, Dethlefsen 5); Aberdeen Christian 22 (S. Fogarty 6, Holt 5). Turnovers – Oakes 17; Aberdeen Christian 26. Blocked Shots – Aberdeen Christian (S. Fogarty 2). Steals – Aberdeen Christian (J. Fogarty 4).