Kernels off to quick start in postseason

The No. 2-seeded Kernels scored 27 first-quarter points en route to beating No. 3-seeded Pierre 59-40 in the first round of the District 3AA girls’ basketball tournament Monday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell.

“Earlier in the year we worked on that, and now getting out to a nice start like that gets us going,” Mitchell head coach Wes Morgan said. “The kids played well (tonight).”

The Kernels travel to play No. 1-seeded Aberdeen Central Thursday in Aberdeen. With a win, Mitchell can secure itself a spot in the Class AA state tournament, which is March 7-9 in Rapid City. With a loss Thursday, Mitchell plays in a region game in hopes for a state tournament berth.

After a back-and-forth first two minutes of the game, the Kernels took control, going on a 22-5 run in the first quarter.

“We had our transition game going, and I think that kind of fired up our defense a little bit,” said Morgan, whose team is 19-2 this season.

Mitchell, which swept Pierre 3-0 this season, held Pierre to 10 points in the first quarter, giving it a 17-point lead going into the second.

In the second, Mitchell struggled offensively and scored just six points in the frame. Pierre was able to cut the first-quarter deficit to 13 at the half.

In the second half, the Kernels went back to work and outscored the Governors in each of the final two quarters. Mitchell, who won the rebounding battle 33-22, fed off Pierre turnovers and the shooting of junior Macy Miller and senior Kerri Young.

Miller led all players with 19 points, while Young finished with 18. Senior Kristin Sabers brought down a team-high eight rebounds for the Kernels, who were 21-of-44 for 48 percent from the field and 13-of-20 for 65 percent from the line.

The Governors were led in scoring by Kristi Livermont with 14 points and Stevi Classen with 11. Pierre was 16-of-44 for 36 percent from the field and 1-of-4 from the free-throw line.

As the Kernels look forward, senior Courtney Moore said the team, which split against Aberdeen Central this season, needs to come out ready to play against the Golden Eagles.

“We’ve got to be confident, mentally tough and know we can do it,” she said. “Our goal is always to come out with strong intensity and if we do that, we can win.”

MITCHELL 59

PIERRE 40

Mitchell (19-2)

Megan Farnham 2-4 1-4 5; Macy Miller 8-13 2-2 19; Courtney Moore 1-5 2-2 4; Kerri Young 7-11 2-2 18; Kristin Sabers 2-6 2-4 7; Berkley Rietveld 0-0 0-0 0; Julie Knight 0-0 0-0 0; Torrie Michels 1-1 2-2 4; Emma Schmidt 0-0 0-0 0; Katelyn Held 0-0 0-0 0; Taylor Volesky 0-2 0-2 0; Shelly Iburg 0-1 0-0 0; Ashley Larson 0-1 0-0 0; Kaley Nolz 0-0 0-0 0; Totals: 21-44 13-20 59.

Pierre (10-11)

Kaitlyn Severyn 1-7 1-4 4; Taylor Hyde 0-2 0-0 0; Katie Berg 0-1 0-0 0; Sydney Palmer 3-9 0-0 7; Kristi Livermont 5-9 0-0 14; Tara Stout 0-0 0-0 0; McKenna Halverson 1-1 0-0 2; Courtney Brandt 0-1 0-0 0; Stevi Classen 5-8 0-0 11; Nikki Farnsworth 0-1 0-0 0; Miranda Panzer 0-1 0-0 0; Kelsey Schmitz 0-2 0-0 0; Jory Mullen 1-1 0-0 2; Mariah Kessler 0-0 0-0 0; Rhiannon Sears 0-1 0-0 0; Totals: 16-44 1-4 40.

M 27 33 43 59

P 10 20 28 40

3-point goals:M 4-6 (Miller 1, Young 2, Sabers 1), P 7-18 (Severyn 1, Palmer 1, Livermont 4, Classen 1); Rebounds: M 33 (Sabers 8, Moore 5), P 22 (Severyn 5); Assists: M 9 (Young 4), P 9 (Livermont 3); Steals: M 6 (Miller 4), P 7; Turnovers: M 10, P 14; Personal fouls: M 9, P 18; Technical fouls: None.

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