Northwestern’s Sophia Troske, center, drives around Leola-Frederick’s Jillian Ellwein, right as the Titans’ Arabella Clark, far right, looks on during a game earlier this season in Mellette. Troske scored 19 points in a win over Aberdeen Christian Thursday night. Photo by John Davis taken 1/23/2025
MELLETTE – Led by a 19-point performance from Sophia Troske and another 10 points on 5-of-5 shooting from Ashley Haven, the Northwestern girls’ basketball team claimed a 48-12 Lake Region Conference victory over Aberdeen Christian Thursday night.
Christian suffered the loss in more ways than one, losing starting point guard Jolie Fogarty who went down with an injury early in the contest.
“We didn’t have our normal ball handling, but the others did a good job,” said Christian coach Andre Cobbs. “It’s just a tough opponent. We entered this game with three players out again, and losing another was tough.”
The host Wildcats limited the Knights to just two points in each of the first three quarters. Troske took care of business on both ends of the court for Northwestern, going 5-for-7 from 3-point range while also gathering up seven steals.
After Fogarty left the game, Christian’s Eri Cobbs took over at the point guard position and led the way offensively for the Knights, finishing with six points.
“Eri stepped up at point guard and made some good plays,” Coach Cobbs noted.
Aberdeen Christian’s Eri Cobbs, back left, goes up with a shot as North Central’s Lindsey Geier, center and Ella Batie, right, get back on defense during Tuesday night’s game at the Aberdeen Civic Arena. In the background at far right for the Knights is Jolie Fogarty. Cobbs scored six points against Northwestern Thursday night. Photo by John Davis taken 2/4/2025
Defensively, the Knights relied on Ari Johnson’s presence in the paint. Cobbs pointed out that Johnson finished with a number of blocked shots.
“Not the score you want, but for the situation, the ones out there did a good job,” Cobbs said.
Christian (0-15) is slated to host Herreid-Selby Area at around 6:15 tonight at the ACS Gym, while Northwestern (10-3) is scheduled to visit Waubay-Summit Saturday in Waubay.
ABERDEEN CHRISTIAN (0-15): Sophia Eichler 1 0-0 2, Eri Cobbs 2 2-4 6, Jacie Fogarty 1 0-0 2, Arianna Johnson 1 0-0 2. Totals 5 2-4 12.