SIOUX FALLS – Aberdeen Central kept it close early and made a run late, but could not find a way past Sioux Falls Jefferson Saturday afternoon, falling 78-58 in non-conference boys’ basketball on the road.
Central was down just two points, 18-16, at the end of the opening stanza, but could not maintain pace after Jefferson made a change defensively in the second quarter.
“I thought we got off to a good start again today,” said Central coach Colton McClemans. “Offensively the ball moved well and we did a good job of attacking the basket.”
Jefferson switched to a 2-3 defense in the second quarter, upending any momentum Central had gained in the early going.
“We struggled to find a rhythm within the zone on offense,” McClemans said.
Central rebounded in the third quarter, trimming the deficit to 10 with opportunities to inch even closer, but was unable to capitalize.
McClemans said his team has made strides on both ends of the court, but still has opportunities in front of it to improve.
“Defenisvely, we’ve gotten better, but have to continue to work on limiting middle drives and keeping the ball out of the paint,” he said.
Luke Swanson finished with 22 points to lead the way for the Golden Eagles. Liam Rife added nine points and six rebounds, while Jack Bertsch finished with eight points.
Central, 1-13 on the year, remains on the road to face Mitchell Tuesday.
ABERDEEN CENTRAL (1-13): Liam Rife 4 0-2 9, Brenner Waldrop 2 1-4 5, Luke Swanson 7 6-6 22, Bryson Burgard 0 0-2 0, Quinn Rayman 2 0-0 5, Jack Bertsch 4 0-1 8, Carter Board 0 2-4 2, Gavin Hauck 1 0-0 2, Ben Weishaar 1 0-0 2. Totals 23-47 9-19 58.
SIOUX FALLS JEFFERSON (7-7): Individual totals not available. Team totals 28-54 6-10 78.
Aberdeen Central 16 26 42 58
Sioux Falls Jefferson 18 37 55 78
3-pt field goals – Rife, Swanson 2, Rayman. Total fouls – Aberdeen Central 8; Sioux Falls Jefferson 15. Rebounds – Aberdeen Central 23 (Rife 6); Sioux Falls Jefferson 23. Assists – Aberdeen Central 7 (Swanson 3). Turnovers – Aberdeen Central 6; Sioux Falls Jefferson 8. Steals – Aberdeen Central 3. Blocks – Aberdeen Central 1 (Waldrop).
