MADISON – The Aberdeen Roncalli boys’ basketball program ran into a high-powered offense and high-pressure defense Saturday afternoon, falling 65-31 to Dell Rapids in the NEC/Dak XII Clash in Madison.

The boys’ basketball game was the third in a tight stretch of games in which the Cavaliers play five times in eight days, and while fatigue wasn’t a factor in the outcome, the Quarriers’ defense was.

“I thought they came out and played a bit more pressure defense than we were expecting,” said Roncalli coach Dan Gallagher. “They forced us into a lot of tough shots. Once we got down 10 or 12 points, we started rushing things a bit.”

That deficit came early for the Cavaliers, who trailed 25-5 after the first quarter and 43-16 at the half against a Quarrier squad that was receiving votes in the latest Class A poll.

“In some games, if we got down, guys would have coasted the rest of the way,” Gallagher said. “I thought all eight of our guys still played hard.”

Maddox Miller led the Cavaliers with 10 points. Roncalli dropped to 8-5 on the season. 

Brayden Pankonen had 24 points for Dell Rapids, which improved to 10-2 on the year. The Quarriers will be in Aberdeen on Saturday taking on Aberdeen Christian at the Civic Arena.

“It stinks taking these blows,” Gallagher said, “but it’s good to see where we can improve.”

Roncalli’s frenetic stretch continues Monday with a road contest at Mobridge-Pollock. The Cavaliers return home to face Potter County on Tuesday at Roncalli Gym.

ABERDEEN RONCALLI (8-5): Maddox Miller 4 1-1 10, Caden Shelton 1 0-0 2, Darwin Gambler 2 2-4 6, Aiden Fisher 2 0-0 6, Jayden Munroe 2 0-2 4, Jackson Lewno 0 1-3 1, Maddox May 1 0-0 2. Totals 12 4-12 31.

DELL RAPIDS (9-2): Brayden Pankonen 8 5-5 24, Will Jaton 2 1-1 5, Braeden Nirva 0 2-2 2, Chase Jones 2 1-1 5, Jack Henry 4 0-0 9, Rhett Kloth 3 0-4 6, Camden Justice 4 0-0 12, Luke Randall 1 0-2 2. Totals 24 9-15 65.

Aberdeen Roncalli 5 16 25 31

Dell Rapids 25 43 57 65

3-pt field goals – Miller, Fisher 2; Pankonen 3, Henry, Justice 4. Fouled out – Shelton. Total fouls – Aberdeen Roncalli 16; Dell Rapids 16.