by Tad Heitkamp, coach
On January 22nd, 2021, the Blue Dragons played host to the #2 team in Class A Basketball, the Vermillion Tanagers. The visiting team right away showed why they are going to be one of the top teams to contend for a state title in 2021 as they took a 26-15 lead after the first quarter.
The Blue Dragons showed a lot of heart as they battled back the second stanza holding Vermillion to 14 points, while hitting for 15 of their own.
“I was very pleased with the effort and heart the guys displayed that first half,” stated Coach Heitkamp. “We could have laid down and just allowed Vermillion to walk all over us, but that wasn’t the case. We made some adjustments defensively and played much more physical, giving us a chance to compete at the end.”
The Blue Dragons continued to battle the second half, but it wasn’t meant to be as Vermillion defeated the Blue Dragons 76-56.
“We never gave up tonight and I feel the kids finally believe in their ability to play with any of the teams in Class A Basketball,” indicated Coach Heitkamp.
Cooper Long (4 assists and 4 rebounds) was the team’s leading scorer as he dented the nets for 20 points. Dylan Kindt (3 assists) and Josef Zahn each dropped down 10 points, while Evan Bly collected 5 points of his own. Jake Schroeder (3 assists) and Rave Uhlich added 4 and 3 points apiece, as Triston Rekstad and Brady DeBates rounded out the scoring with 2 points each.
The Blue Dragons didn’t get much time to recover as they were back on the road the following day to participate in the annual Dakota State Classic held in Madison, SD.
Garretson was matched up against a very determined and physical team from Gayville-Volin at the 6pm session. The Blue Dragons weren’t fazed by that as they took out some frustration on the Raiders and sent them back home with a 65-47 loss.
“I wasn’t sure what kind of effort we were going to get after a tough game the night before,” stated Heitkamp. “We kept preaching to the kids come out and play our style of basketball and the rest will take care of its self…and that’s what happened. I’m very proud of these young men!”
Cooper Long was the game’s leading scorer 21 points, while Dylan Kindt (5 assists) and Josef Zahn (5 rebounds) each knocked down 13 points. Rhett Kloth (10 rebounds) and Sam Schleuter each tallied 6 points, as Evan Bly (5 rebounds) and Isaiah Gnadt finished the day with 3 points each.
West Central Slips Past Blue Dragons
The Blue Dragons were back on the road January 25th to take on the Trojans from West Central. The Blue Dragons stepped off the bus and gave West Central all they could handle, but came up just short 59-66.
“We played some solid basketball tonight,” mentioned Heitkamp. “The kids had a look in their eye that they were going to battle until the final buzzer sounded and that’s just what they did. We were flying around the hardwood all night, but had a couple of fundamental things not go our way, costing us a chance to pull out the victory. Another positive coming out of this game is that we played with effort and a sense of purpose, which is something we can’t really coach. We can fix fundamental things, but effort needs to come from the kids.”
Once again Cooper Long (5 rebounds) led the Blue Dragons in the scoring column with 19 points, as Josef Zahn (7 rebounds) and Dylan Kindt (3 assists) netted 14 and 11 points. Evan Bly had a solid night in the paint knocking down 6 points, while Rave Uhlich chipped in with 5 points of his own. Jake Schroeder (6 rebounds) and Sam Schleuter rounded out the scoring with 2 points apiece.
The loss brought the season totals to 3-9. Without much time to rest, they again hit the court at home on Tuesday, January 26 to battle against the Flandreau Fliers (results not available at press time).
Their next games will be on the home court on Monday, February 1, and Tuesday, February 2 against rivals Dell Rapids St. Mary and Baltic.
