Okoboji won their fourth straight game with a 54-39 victory at Emmetsburg in non-conference action on Thursday night. The E’hawks jumped out to a quick 10-2 lead, scoring in transition off some early Okoboji turnovers, but the Pioneers would answer with an 11-5 run to end the quarter, capped by a Courtney Bockman 3-pointer, and trim the lead to 15-13. Okoboji took a four point lead midway through the second quarter at 26-22 on a 3-pointer by Olivia Lorenzen, and the Pioneers would maintain that margin with a 28-24 halftime advantage. Okoboji would push the lead to a 35-30, but the E’hawks would not go away, and cut the lead to 37-35 at the end of the third quarter with a 7-2 run. The Pioneers took complete control of the game in the fourth quarter with an impressive 15-0 run, highlighted by 3-pointers from Lynnae Abrahamson and Ava Packebush, and were able to keep the lead above 15 points for the rest of the game. Lynnae Abrahamson led Okoboji with 13 points and 5 rebounds; Ava Packebush added 9 points and 7 rebounds; Makenna Helmers chipped in with 9 points and 3 steals; Carly Carstens added 7 points with 4 rebounds and Olivia Lorenzen dished out 5 assists. Myra Steffen led Emmetsburg with 13 points with Maddy Anderson adding 9 points. Okoboji improves to 4-6 on the season while Emmetsburg drops to 4-4.
Quotes from John Adams
“Emmetsburg really bothered us early with their half-court pressure, and it took us a little while to adjust to that. It was great to see the girls respond to the slow start and they really got after it on the defensive end. Lynnae, Ava and Makenna hit some big shots for us, and Emma Wittrock gave us great minutes off the bench with 6 points while bringing the physicality that we needed. It was great having Makenna back from her injury, and she picked up right where she left off. It’s been really fun watching this group continue to improve and grow together through their hard work, especially on the defensive end of the court.”
