SIOUX FALLS – Aberdeen Central brushed hands with victory Friday night, but couldn’t secure its grasp, falling 55-52 to second-ranked Sioux Falls Jefferson in Sioux Falls in the penultimate contest of the season.
Central had played the Cavaliers to a one-possession game nearly all night long, trading leads and buckets with abandon. Central led 36-32 coming into the fourth quarter, and had a 52-51 lead with under 30 seconds to play, but could not convert on a pair of free throws that would have extended that advantage.
Instead, Jefferson went the length of the court and got a dagger 3-pointer with 13.5 seconds remaining. That proved to be the go-ahead run, so to speak. Central was unable to convert on its final possession and Jefferson’s Ashlen Johnson sealed the win with a free throw in the final seconds of play.
“We have girls back from injury again, and it was nice to be able to get back to some of our subbing rotations to keep kids fresher,” said Central coach Mikayla Arechigo. “We had a more balanced scoring attack than we have had in previous games.”
That attack was led by freshman Taryn Hermansen, who had 10 points. Madison Miller added eight, while Anna Malchow and Taryn Hettich finished with seven apiece. Grace Kuch, one of the injury returnees, also had seven points.
But it was a couple missed opportunities, plus the late three from the Cavaliers that spelled the final demise for the Golden Eagles.
“It was a fast-paced game,” Arechigo said. “Jefferson has some quick guards and great shooters. Once we got the dribble penetration under control, we had a tough time locating shooters in the fourth. Ultimately, it came down to missing free throws and too many turnovers.”
Aliyah McGovern-Harrington led the Cavaliers with 16 points. Cierra Watkins added 15.
Central will wrap up the regular season Monday with a home game against Sioux Falls Roosevelt. The Rough Riders are winless coming into the finale.
ABERDEEN CENTRAL: Anna Malchow 2 1-2 7, Taryn Hettich 3 1-3 7, Madison Miller 2 4-6 8, Arylie Waldo 1 0-0 3, Caydi WIthers 2 0-0 5, Grace Kuch 2 3-8 7, Lauryn Burckhard 2 0-0 4, Taryn Hermansen 5 0-1 10. Totals 19 9-19 52.
Aberdeen Central 10 21 36 52
Sioux Falls Jefferson 3 17 32 55
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