by Tad Heitkamp, head coach
The Blue Dragons Blast The Pheasants
On February 16th, 2021, the Blue Dragons were once again on the road traveling south to Parker for a rematch battle against the Pheasants.
In the conference tournament earlier in the season Parker took down the Blue Dragons 57-53, so needless to say Garretson was looking for a little redemption. The two teams battled back and forth the opening quarter before the Blue Dragons took control of the game in the second period.
The Blue Dragons never looked back as they defeated the home town Parker Pheasants 69-53.
“The kids came out and played very well offensively the first half, which got us lead going into the break,” stated Heitkamp. “We needed to do a better job on the defensive side, but overall the kids played very well for an entire 32 minutes. The coaching staff has emphasized all season long...if we come out and play to our ability...we can play with anyone!”
Cooper Long had a monster game for the Blue Dragons as he was the game high scorer with 30 points, while Dylan Kindt knocked down 13 points of his own. Josef Zahn and Rhett Kloth also had a solid night, collecting 9 points apiece, while Evan Bly, Jake Schroeder, Rave Uhlich, and Brady DeBates rounded out the scoring with 2 points.
Sioux Valley Snaps Blue Dragons Streak
The Blue Dragons played host to the Sioux Valley Cossacks on February 18th, 2021, which was also Parents and Senior Night for the home town team. The Blue Dragons played pretty well the opening stanza, but that wasn’t enough as the #3 team in Class A Basketball dismantled the Garretson 69-38.
“We started the game off on the right track, but the wheels fell off in a hurry,” indicated Heitkamp. “Sioux Valley shot the ball extremely well and we couldn’t get into any sort of flow offensively. The kids never quit, but it was evident early that it wasn’t meant to be tonight.”
Josef Zahn had a solid night as he hit for 12 points, as Dylan Kindt and Brady DeBates knocked down 5 and 4 points. Cooper Long and Triston Rekstad added 3 points each, while Rhett Kloth hit for another 2 points.
Blue Dragons Fall Short Against Dells
On February 22nd, 2021, the Blue Dragons took to the court against a very talented team from Dell Rapids. The Blue Dragons played a solid game, but came up just short falling to the Quarriers 62-54 in their final game of the regular season.
“We had some opportunities throughout the game that could have changed the outcome, but it wasn’t meant to be tonight,” stated Heitkamp. “We emphasized to the kids that getting better each and every game is the goal for the season, which is going to get us ready for a playoff run. I’m very pleased with the effort we have displayed for many of the games, so now we just need to come out and play to our ability. If we are able to do that...we are going to make teams very nervous to play the Garretson Blue Dragons!”
Cooper Long and Josef Zahn (7 rebounds) were the leading scorers for the Blue Dragons with 14 points each, while Dylan Kindt (5 assists and 3 steals) and Rhett Kloth (5 rebounds) added 8 and 7 points apiece. Jake Schroeder and Triston Rekstad chipped in with 4 and 3 points, as Evan Bly (5 rebounds) and Rave Uhlich rounded out the scoring with 2 points respectively.
It looks like the Blue Dragons will be traveling to Tri Valley on March 2nd, 2021, to take on the Mustangs. Please check your local listings and social media sites for confirmation later in the week.
