Parkston loses to Clark/Willow Lake at classic

Parkston suffered through poor second-half shooting to fall to Clark/Willow Lake 52-43 at the Hanson Classic Saturday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell.

After shooting 57 percent in the first half led by Erica Herrold’s 22 points, the Trojans only scored 15 points and shot 13 percent from the field in the second half.

“The thing is we turned the ball over so much and that really hurt us,” Parkston coach Rob Van Laecken said. “They took away the ball from (Herrold) in the second half, and we just couldn’t get it to her.

“We tried to run some set plays for her and run some screens, but I think she got a little tired at the end.”

The Cyclones led 11-7 to open the first quarter but a three-point shot and a basket from Herrold gave the Trojans a 12-11 lead going into the second period.

The second quarter was filled with runs from both teams. Parkston opened with a 7-0 run and a 19-13 lead with just over six minutes left in the half.

C/WL responded with a 10-2 run and a 23-21 lead with 1:44 remaining in the second quarter.

Behind the play of Herrold, the Trojans responded with a 7-2 run to close out the half with a 28-25 advantage.

Both teams struggled coming out of the locker room, but a 3-pointer from Parkston’s Jordan Bormann with 6:40 left to play in the third quarter gave the Trojans a 31-25 lead.

But Parkston could manage only one more point in the quarter, while the Cyclones scored 11 points and brought their lead to 36-32 at the end of the period.

The Trojans broke quickly to open the final stanza taking a 39-37 lead with 5:38 remaining. But the Cyclones went back in front and would stay there at 41-39 with 4:18 left in the game on a basket by Chynna Stevens. C/WL closed the game out with a 9-4 run.

“We were pleased with our defensive effort,” said Van Laecken. “They have a nice team.”

Herrold, who is headed to Dakota Wesleyan University next year, scored 25 points and nine rebounds to lead the Trojans. McKenzie Weidenbach dished out five assists.

Parkston (6-4) was 15-of-44 for 34 percent from the field and 7-of-13 for 54 percent from the free-throw line. The Trojans outrebounded C/WL 40-34, and they turned the ball over 20 times.

“We just tried to make sure we closed on (Herrold) and tried to make her earn everything,” said Cyclone coach Wade Stobbs of his team’s adjustment to Herrold in the second half. “She was on fire in that first half.”

Mackenzie Huber led C/WL with 17 points, followed by Janelle Paulson with 15 points and Stevens with five assists.

The Cyclones (6-3) made 17 of 51 field goals for 33 percent and 15 of 21 free throws for 71 percent. C/WL committed 15 turnovers.

Parkston’s next game is against Bon Homme Thursday in Tyndall.

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