FREDERICK – Leola-Frederick used a big second half to push its way past Aberdeen Roncalli 56-47 Thursday night in a non-conference boys’ basketball contest.

While Ronalli largely controlled the first half, the host Titans – rated fourth in the latest Class B media poll – used its trademark frenzied pace to its advantage in the second half.

“Their pressure was definitely a factor, but I thought one thing that really was frustrating was the second-chance opportunities that they got,” said Roncalli coach Dan Gallagher. “I want to say it was around 10 points in the second half alone that they got off second-chance opportunities. That’s something we’ve known for a while has been an issue that we’ve been working on. We’ve got to take those away and be physical on the glass.”

Roncalli took an early lead in Thursday’s contest and held it through the opening half of play, heading into the locker room leading 24-21 before succumbing in the second half.

The Titans received at least four points from all five of their starters to take command in the final half. Noah Kippley scored eight points in the final 16 minutes, while Gavin Nickelson had seven, and Westyn Thorpe six, as the Leola-Frederick pace began to have a serious impact.

“We talked a lot (Wednesday) and just before the game, we’ve got to play under control,” Gallagher said. “It’s going to be chaotic, but we don’t have to give into that. And at times, we did a great job of that. Other times we let them dictate the pace and dictate the tempo. We made some decisions on the run and decisions in the air. Those are recipes for disaster, so just little things we can clean up. We know where the mistakes were made.”

Cam Olson scored 13 points to lead the way offensively for the Cavaliers. All but two of those points came in the second half before the 6-foot-7 center fouled out of the contest. Sam Franks joined him in double figures with 10 points.

“Overall, I thought Cam Olson had one of his better games,” Gallagher said. “Sharing the ball with teammates, getting the ball to the basket, finishing around the rim. The pieces are coming together.”

Leola-Frederick was led by Ethan Petrich with 14 points. Kippley added 10 and Nickelson finished with nine for the Titans.

Roncalli (3-5) will host Sisseton next Thursday in a Northeast Conference contest. Leola-Frederick (7-0) will head to Waverly-South Shore on Saturday.

ABERDEEN RONCALLI (3-5): Jesse Hernandez 1 1-2 3, Aiden Fisher 3 0-0 7, Sam Franks 4 2-3 10, Brady Weinmeister 1 0-0 2, Cam Olson 6 1-1 13, Sam Larson 2 0-0 5, Austin Fisher 3 0-0 7. Totals 20 4-6 47.

LEOLA-FREDERICK (7-0): Westyn Thorpe 3 2-2 8, Gavin Nickeson 3 3-6 9, Noah Kippley 4 0-1 10, Milo Sumption 3 0-0 6, Ethan Petrich 6 2-6 14, Jace Thorpe 1 1-2 3, Titus Kippley 1 0-0 2, Zander Hoffman 2 0-0 4. Totals 23 8-17 56. 

Aberdeen Roncalli 10 24 35 47

Leola-Frederick 7 21 43 56

3-point field goals – Aiden Fisher, Larson, Austin Fisher; N. Kippley 2. Fouled out – Olson. Total Fouls – Aberdeen Roncalli 19; Leola-Frederick 11.