Okoboji ended their regular season with their fifth straight victory on Tuesday night, winning at Sheldon 59-45. The Orabs would start the game quickly, taking a 5-2 lead that would grow to 15-4 before Ava Packebush would hit a three-pointer to end the quarter and pull Okoboji to 15-7. Sheldon took their largest lead of the night at 19-10 but the Pioneers would respond with an 11-0 run to take their first lead of the game at 21-19, but Claire Johnson would hit a three-pointer to end the half and give Sheldon a 22-21 lead. Makenna Helmers gave the Pioneers the lead at 26-22 with five quick points to start the third quarter on a steal and layup and then a three-pointer, but Sheldon answered with a 10-6 run to pull even at 32-32 before Okoboji answered with a 5-0 run to take a 37-32 lead into the fourth quarter. The Pioneers would push that lead to 49-39 midway through the fourth quarter on three-pointers by Carly Carstens and Lynnae Abrahamson and not look back, salting the game away at the free throw line. Carly Carstens led the Pioneers with 17 points while also setting the school record for charges taken in a season with 17 by taking three charges, Ava Packebush added 11 points, Lynnae Abrahamson chipped in with 10 points and Makenna Helmers added 9. Claire Johnson led all scorers with 24 points for Sheldon. Okoboji finishes the regular season 10-12 overall and 8-10 in the rugged Siouxland Conference while Sheldon drops to 3-18.
Quotes from Coach Adams
“I definitely need to throw that pregame speech away; Sheldon was definitely the aggressor early, and I felt like we let our shot-missing affect us on the defensive end of the court. Olivia Lorenzen really got us sparked on defense in the first half, and that helped us get back in the game. It was awesome to see the girls respond to being challenged at halftime. Makenna got us off to a great start with her steal and quick five points, and Carly was fantastic on both ends of the court, giving herself up by taking charges and then also getting some big buckets and free throws for us. I wasn’t sure I’d see Magan Christopherson’s charges taken record of 15 broken but knew Carly would be one who would have a chance. Ava also had a great second half, Lynnae really responded in the second half as well, and Zoey was big for us on the glass. This group has constantly responded to adversity, and we knew they would again tonight in that second half. I don’t know many teams who would piggy-back two six-game losing streaks with two five-game winning streaks; it really speaks to how well the girls have stayed together and kept believing in one another. We know Unity will be a big challenge in the first round of Regionals, but we’re excited about how we’re playing and for the opportunity to play again.”
