Okoboji won their third straight tight game on Tuesday night, beating Rock Valley 65-62 in a Siouxland Conference thriller. The Rockets would jump out to a quick 6-0 lead before Zoey Holmes got Okoboji on the board with a three-point play. The teams would battle relatively evenly the rest of the quarter with Rock Valley taking a slim 13-12 lead into the second quarter. Okoboji would take their first lead of the game at 16-15 but the Rockets answered with a 10-3 run to take a 25-19 lead. Okoboji trimmed that lead to 30-25 at halftime. The second half went back and forth with neither team able to create any separation. Okoboji started the half on an 11-4 run to take the lead back at 36-34 and the teams would trade baskets for the rest of the quarter with the Pioneers clinging to a 48-47 lead entering the final frame. Okoboji jumped out to a 53-47 lead to start the fourth quarter, but the Rockets would not go away and quickly scored four straight points to make the score 53-51 with 5:00 remaining. Three pointers by Lynnae Abrahamson and Ava Packebush and a driving layup by Carly Carstens would push the Okoboji lead to 61-57 before a three pointer by Brynlie Zomer cut the lead to 61-60 with 2:00 left. Packebush would answer again with a driving basket and then knock down two clutch free throws after the Rockets cut the lead to 63-62 for the final margin of victory as the Rockets would have a half courter bounce off the rim at the buzzer. Lynnae Abrahamson led a well-balanced Okoboji attack with 17 points; Ava Packebush followed with 16 points, 5 assists and 3 steals; and Carly Carstens added 12 points. Mylie Zomer led Rock Valley with 19 points, Brynlie Zommer scored 14 points and Kavri Van Kekerix added 11 points.
Quotes From John Adams
“Just a tremendous team win against a very tough Rock Valley team. We played them just a week ago and lost a hard-fought game, so we knew this would be another 32 minute battle. We’re so proud of how this group has continued to stick together and loved the positive energy that all 15 of our players brought to the gym tonight. Lynnae, Ava and Carly all hit huge shots for us down the stretch and for Ava to hit both of her late free throws on a one and one was huge. All nine of our girls who played really contributed at a high level tonight, and our bench did a great job with their energy. It’s hard to believe that we just have two regular season games left, and we are going to cherish every moment we get with this group.”
