It was the worst possible scenario for Aberdeen Christian Saturday afternoon, facing a potent press and its primary ballhandler on the bench in foul trouble.

Great Plains Lutheran took advantage of the situation, cranked up the defense and walked away with a 53-8 non-conference girls’ basketball victory at the Christian School Gym.

The Knights transition defense quickly escalated into a lack of offense when Jolie Fogarty picked up third foul with 1:23 left in the opening quarter.

“The point guard, Jolie, was the only one that was back on defense,” said Christian coach Andre Cobbs. “She’s the only one back on defense, she’s the only one making a play, she’s going to get in foul trouble. We’re not able to move the ball without our point guard.”

The Panthers, 8-2 on the season, jumped all over that situation, applying full-court pressure that resulted in one turnover after another on the way to a 20-1 first-quarter lead.

“There’s been years where we’ve sort of dabbled with that press,” said GPL coach Matt Bauer, “but this year we’re pretty full committed to it.”

With Katherine Prahl harassing the Knights guards, the Panthers got their offense running at full steam. The junior collected 10 steals in the contest, many of which resulted in transition points.

“Excellent anticipation,” Bauer said of Prahl. “The number of times where you think she’s running up the court and the next thing you know she’s got the ball in her hands and she’s putting it back in for a layup. We’re very thankful to have her energy and she is 100 percent all the time.”

While Prahl has exceptional hands, she said it’s her feet that make the difference in her defense.

“It’s really quick feet,” Prahl said, “and then also my teammates really helped out a lot.”

She said using her hands isn’t a good option.

“If you’re going to reach with your hands, you’re going to get a foul called,” Prahl said.

The Great Plains Lutheran defense allowed just two made baskets in the entire game. It’s something the Panthers pride themselves on.

“Our defense definitely is our calling card is what we call it,” Prahl said. “That definitely helps us get our offense rolling.”

Cobbs said his team has shown improvement on dealing with the press since the season started, but still continues to work on it.

“We spent the week working on that sort of stuff,” Cobbs said. “It’s way better than it was when it started, but that’s not going to win you a game against a team like that.”

Sophia Eichler was a bright spot for the Knights, scoring seven of her team’s eight points and also pulling down a game-high 10 rebounds.

“I try to either post up and if posting up isn’t working, I try to go and screen,” Eichler said.

The sophomore said the team’s overall offense is improving.

“For us, just learning how to work as a team more, and set it up,” Eichler said. “I think we were doing better kind of seeing each other being open at some points, and passing it to that person. If we’re double teamed, passing it back.”

Aberdeen native Abby Kjenstad led GPL with 11 points. Jolie Lien and Esta Cameron each added 10, and Prahl finished with eight.

Bauer said the goal is to get better with each passing day.

“I just got done telling them, every time we take the court, practice or game, we want to walk off better,” Bauer said, “so that’s what we’re working on.”

Interestingly enough, the next opponent for both GPL and Christian is Wilmot. The Panthers face the Wolves on Tuesday and the Knights play them on Thursday.

Wilmot is led by standout Addison Heinje.

“We’ll have Katherine Prahl blanketing her,” Bauer said, “and everybody else with a foot in the lane to try to stop the penetration.”

Prahl knows the challenge that lies ahead of her, but also knows that she will have plenty of help.

“We’re definitely going to have to play team defense,” Prahl said. “I will definitely move my feet and do my best to keep her in front of me, but if I do get beat, I know that I do have help, and that’s what’s great about our team, it’s not just one person.”

The Knights, 0-11 on the season, will be focusing on trying to deal with Wilmot’s pressure defense.

“They do press that whole time,” Cobbs said. “We’ve got to get through that press.”

GREAT PLAINS LUTHERAN (8-2): Lydia Schleusener 1 0-0 2, Jolie Lien 3 2-2 10, Kate Holman 1 0-0 2, Katherine Prahl 3 2-2 8, Abby Kjenstad 4 0-0 11, Myra Lentz 3 0-0 8, Esta Cameron 4 2-4 10, Madeline Prahl 1 1-1 3, Julia Prahl 0 0-2 0. Totals 21 7-11 54.

ABERDEEN CHRISTIAN (0-11): Alicia Davis 0 1-2 1, Sophia Eichler 2 3-4 7. Totals 2 4-6 8.

Great Plains Lutheran 20 41 45 54

Aberdeen Christian 1 5 6 8

3-point field goals – Lien 2, Kjenstad, Lentz 2. Total fouls – Great Plains Lutheran 5; Aberdeen Christian 11. Rebounds – Great Plains Lutheran 34 (J. Prahl 7); Aberdeen Christian 33 (Eichler 10). Turnovers – Great Plains Lutheran 6; Aberdeen Christian 30. Blocked Shots – Great Plains Lutheran (Kjenstad); Aberdeen Christian (Ari Johnson 2, Jolie Fogarty 1). Steals – Great Plains Lutheran 14 (K. Prahl 10).