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Knights cap off busy stretch with win over Wolverines

Aberdeen Christian’s Joey Johnson, center, goes up with a shot under the basket as Herreid-Selby Area’s Tray Hettick, right, defends during Tuesday night’s game at the Aberdeen Civic Arena. In on the play are the Wolverines’ Brenden Begeman (20) and the Knights’ Ethan Russell (4).Photo by John Davis taken 1/24/2023

Five games in eight days in five different cities, all double-digit victories (four against teams with winning records) for the top-rated Aberdeen Christian Knights.

Christian concluded that stretch with another convincing victory, this time over Herreid-Selby Area, 70-45 in non-conference boys’ basketball action at the Aberdeen Civic Arena Tuesday night.

“We have remained focused and kept our emotions about us,” said Christian coach Matt Rorbach of the past eight days. “It’s easy to get overconfident, but I thought the boys have remained humble and hungry. I couldn’t be more proud.”

Reserve Joey Johnson helped set the tone against the Wolverines with eight points in the opening quarter to help give the Knights a 23-11 cushion.

Christian then connected on six three-point field goals in the second period to widen the margin to 17 points at the break.

Jackson Isakson produced eight points in the third period to help keep Christian in control.

Isakson led the Knights with 15 points, Malek Wieker added 14, and Joey Johnson finished with 12 points and seven rebounds.

“Joey was awesome. He had a huge first quarter and helped set the tone,” Rohrbach said. “Jackson was all over the floor tonight as well. Those two were outstanding.”

Aberdeen Christian’s Kaden Clark, left, goes after a rebound with Herreid-Selby Area’s Tray Hettick, center, during Tuesday night’s game at the Aberdeen Civic Area. In the background for the Knights is Andrew Brennan. Photo by John Davis taken 1/24/2023

Brenden Begeman’s 19 points led all scorers for Herreid-Selby Area, which slipped to 7-5 on the season.

Christian, now 12-0 on the year, gets a much deserved week-long break before returning to action on Tuesday when the Knights host North Central in a girls-boys doubleheader at the Civic Arena.

“I was happy with our drive as this has been a pretty crazy couple of weeks,” Rohrbach said. “It will be nice to have a full week of practice and refocus up for the stretch run.”

HERREID-SELBY AREA (7-5): Gavin Hannan 1 0-0 3, Cole Zabel 1 0-0 2, Wayde Grage 0 3-4 3, Tray Hettick 2 1-2 7, Trevor Gill 2 2-2 7, Brenden Begeman 8 3-3 19, Hunter Friend 2 0-0 4. Totals 16 9-11 45.

ABERDEEN CHRISTIAN (12-0): Andrew Brennan 3 1-2 7, Jackson Isakson 6 2-2 15, Ethan Russell 4 0-1 9, Malek Wieker 5 0-0 14, Kaden Clark 2 0-0 4, Konnar Furman 3 0-0 7, Ellis Russell 1 0-0 2, Joey Johnson 5 2-3 12. Totals 29 5-8 70.

Herreid-Selby Area 11 25 36 45

Aberdeen Christian 23 42 56 70

3-point field goals – Hannan, Hettick 2, Gill; Isakson, Russell, Wieker 4, Furman. Total fouls – Herreid-Selby Area 8; Aberdeen Christian 13. Rebounds – Aberdeen Christian 35 (Johnson 7, Brennan 6, Wieker 6). Turnovers – Aberdeen Christian 11. Assists – Aberdeen Christian 15 (Brennan 5, Clark 5). Blocked shots – Aberdeen 3 (Russell 4). Steals – Aberdeen Christian 7 (Isakson 3).

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