Mitchell girls hold off Pierre to earn second win of the season
The Kernels scored 17 points in the second quarter and withstood a 21-7 run by Pierre in the third quarter to pull out the victory.
Mitchell's Lauren Van Overschelde and Pierre's Remington Price (1) tie up for a jump ball during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
MITCHELL – The Mitchell High School girls basketball team made just enough plays down the stretch to secure its second win of the season on Friday evening.
After withstanding a 21-7 third quarter run by Pierre, Mitchell was able to hold off the Governors for a 45-41 win at the Corn Palace.
The Kernels (2-6) rallied together as a team with the absence of starting guard Aliyah Howard due to COVID-19 protocols. Freshman Lauren Van Overschelde stepped into the lineup for Howard and scored 10 points. Three other players for Mitchell had at least eight points in the win.
“We were really proud of the entire team stepping up,” assistant coach Esther Witte said. “It took a collaborative effort from everyone and we really had to turn it up on offense and defense to pull this one out.”
1/101: The MHS band performs the national anthem prior to a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
2/101: The MHS band performs the national anthem prior to a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
3/101: The MHS band performs the national anthem prior to a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
4/101: The MHS band performs the national anthem prior to a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
5/101: Mitchell's Addie Siemsen and Mitchell's Kadence Halvorson look at a photo taken at player intros during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
6/101: The MHS band performs the national anthem prior to a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
7/101: Mitchell's Kaitlyn Christensen shoots in front of Pierre's Layni Stevens (4) during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
8/101: Mitchell's Kaitlyn Christensen shoots in front of Pierre's Layni Stevens (4) during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
9/101: Mitchell's Taylor Giblin dribbles past Pierre's Layni Stevens (4) during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
10/101: The Kernels bench celebrates a basket during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
11/101: The Kernels bench celebrates a basket during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
12/101: Mitchell's Sarah Sebert brings the ball up the court as Pierre's Remington Price (1) defends during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
13/101: The Kernels bench celebrates a basket during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
14/101: Mitchell's Lauren Van Overschelde looks for an outlet while being defended by a Pierre defender during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
15/101: Mitchell's Sarah Sebert looks for somewhere to go with the ball through the Pierre defense during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
16/101: Mitchell's Lauren Van Overschelde looks for an outlet to pass to as Pierre's Ayvrie Kaiser (21) defends during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
17/101: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner goes in for a basket during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
18/101: Mitchell's Delaney Degen shoots a basket during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
19/101: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner moves around the defense of Pierre's Reese Terwilliger (15) during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
20/101: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner passes around Pierre's Reese Terwilliger (15) during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
21/101: Mitchell's Kaitlyn Christensen grabs a loose ball between a pair of Pierre defenders during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
22/101: Mitchell's Kaitlyn Christensen passes the ball as Pierre's Layni Stevens (4) defends during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
23/101: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner and Pierre's Remington Price (1) scramble for a loose ball during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
24/101: Mitchell's Taylor Giblin dribbles towards the basket as Pierre's Layni Stevens (4) defends during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
25/101: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner brings the ball up the court past a Pierre defender during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
26/101: Mitchell's Taylor Giblin drives to the basket around a Pierre defender during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
27/101: Mitchell's Taylor Giblin brings the ball up the court during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
28/101: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner goes around Pierre's Remington Price (1) to the basket during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
29/101: Mitchell's Taylor Giblin drives to the basket as Pierre's Ryann Barry (13) defends during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
30/101: Mitchell's Addie Siemsen dribbles towards the basket during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
31/101: Mitchell's Maddie Kempf passes around a Pierre defender during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
32/101: Mitchell's Lauren Van Overschelde goes up for a basket in front of Pierre's Ryann Barry (13) during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
33/101: Kernel students during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
34/101: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner tries defending a basket by Pierre's Ayvrie Kaiser (21) as Mitchell's Addie Siemsen gives chase during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
35/101: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner dribbles past Pierre's Ryann Barry (13) to the basket during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
36/101: Mitchell's Taylor Giblin goes up for a basket during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
37/101: Mitchell Head Coach Cole Knippling listens to Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner ask a question during a free throw attempt during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
38/101: The Kernels bench celebrates a basket during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
39/101: Pierre's Remington Price (1) is fouled by Mitchell's Lauren Van Overschelde grabbing a loose ball during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
40/101: Mitchell's Lauren Van Overschelde fights her way through a pair of Pierre defenders during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
41/101: Mitchell's Taylor Giblin dribbles off the screen as Pierre's Lennix DuPris (10) gives chase during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
42/101: Mitchell's Sarah Sebert looks for somewhere to pass to as Pierre's Layni Stevens (4) defends during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
43/101: Mitchell's Kaitlyn Christensen shoots over the reach of a Pierre defender during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
44/101: Pierre's Remington Price (1) is fouled by Mitchell's Lauren Van Overschelde grabbing a loose ball during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
45/101: The Kernels bench celebrates a basket during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
46/101: Girls play basketball at half time of the Kernels game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
47/101: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner makes a move around Pierre's Layni Stevens (4) during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
48/101: The Kernels bench celebrates a basket during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
49/101: Girls play basketball at half time of the Kernels game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
50/101: Girls play basketball at half time of the Kernels game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
51/101: Girls play basketball at half time of the Kernels game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
52/101: Girls play basketball at half time of the Kernels game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
53/101: Girls play basketball at half time of the Kernels game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
54/101: The Kernels bench celebrates a basket during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
55/101: Girls play basketball at half time of the Kernels game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
56/101: Girls play basketball at half time of the Kernels game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
57/101: Mitchell's Lauren Van Overschelde goes to the basket as Pierre's Lennix DuPris (10) defends during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
58/101: The Kernels bench celebrates a basket during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
59/101: Pierre's Ryann Barry (13) and Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner fight for a loose ball during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
60/101: Mitchell's Lauren Van Overschelde brings the ball up the court as Pierre's Lennix DuPris (10) follows in pursuit during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
61/101: Mitchell's Lauren Van Overschelde goes to the basket as Pierre's Lennix DuPris (10) defends during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
62/101: Mitchell's Maddie Kempf passes around a Pierre defender during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
63/101: Mitchell's Lauren Van Overschelde and Sawyer Stoebner scramble for a loose ball among a pair of Pierre defenders during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
64/101: Kernel cheerleaders perform during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
65/101: Kernel cheerleaders perform during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
66/101: The Kernels bench celebrates a basket by Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
67/101: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner brings the ball up the court through the Pierre defense during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
68/101: Mitchell's Taylor Giblin celebrates a basket by Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner as she goes to the free throw line as Sarah Sebert (23) and Lauren Van Overschelde (12) get in position for the free throws during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
69/101: The Kernels bench celebrates a basket by Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
70/101: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner (14) celebrates the Kernels win along with Mitchell's Taylor Giblin, left, and Sarah Sebert in the final seconds during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
71/101: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner grabs a rebound in the final seconds during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
72/101: Mitchell's Delaney Degen defends Pierre's Ryann Barry (13)during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
73/101: Girls wait their turn to play basketball at half time of the Kernels game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
74/101: Mitchell's Kaitlyn Christensen (24) celebrates with Maddie Kempf, left, the Kernels win over Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
75/101: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner brings the ball up the court during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
76/101: Mitchell's Taylor Giblin points out a person to defend during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
77/101: Mitchell's Sarah Sebert grabs a rebound over Pierre's Lennix DuPris (10) during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
78/101: Mitchell's Lauren Van Overschelde runs off the bench to check in during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
79/101: Girls play basketball at half time of the Kernels game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
80/101: Girls play basketball at half time of the Kernels game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
81/101: The band performs at half time of the Kernels game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
82/101: Girls play basketball at half time of the Kernels game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
83/101: The band performs at half time of the Kernels game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
84/101: The band performs at half time of the Kernels game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
85/101: Girls play basketball at half time of the Kernels game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
86/101: Girls play basketball at half time of the Kernels game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
87/101: The band performs at half time of the Kernels game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
88/101: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner, right, and Kaitlyn Christensen defend Pierre's Reese Terwilliger (15) during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
89/101: Girls play basketball at half time of the Kernels game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
90/101: Mitchell's Lauren Van Overschelde grabs a rebound in front of Sawyer Stoebner during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
91/101: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner and Pierre's Reese Terwilliger (15)scramble for a loose ball during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
92/101: Mitchell's Lauren Van Overschelde and Pierre's Remington Price (1) tie up for a jump ball during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
93/101: Coaches McKenzie Mertens and Dave Brooks during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
94/101: A cheerleader is asked to prom after a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
95/101: Kernels during player intros before their game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
96/101: Mitchell's Taylor Giblin shoots a basket during a game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
97/101: Mitchell's Sarah Sebert can't reach a rebound from a Pierre defender during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
98/101: Kernels during player intros before their game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
99/101: Kernels during player intros before their game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
100/101: Kernels during player intros before their game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
101/101: Kernels during player intros before their game against Pierre on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
Mitchell led 15-10 after the first quarter as Taylor Giblin scored eight of the team’s first 13 points. The Kernels jumped out to a 12-0 run at the start of the second quarter to give Mitchell its largest lead of the night of 17 points. Mitchell held Pierre (2-6) scoreless through the first six minutes of the second quarter and outscored the Governors 17-5.
ADVERTISEMENT
As Mitchell was hot heading into halftime having made four 3-pointers, the roles reversed and it was Pierre starting the third quarter out with a run of its own. Throughout the first four minutes, Pierre made four straight 3-pointers to get out to a 12-5 run.
In the midst of Pierre’s run, Sawyer Stoebner and Sarah Sebert both sat out for at least two minutes in the third quarter due to bloody noses because of inadvertent elbows. Pierre’s run continued while the Kernels were momentarily short-handed as Ryann Barry hit back-to-back 3-pointers to end the quarter. The Governors made six three's in the third quarter and outscored Mitchell 21-7 to cut the lead to four.
“Pierre was really aggressive in the third quarter, just staying in the passing lane and taking away a lot of our opportunities,” Witte said. “We turned the ball over and we weren’t expecting their defense to step up how it did.”
Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner tries defending a basket by Pierre's Ayvrie Kaiser (21) as Mitchell's Addie Siemsen gives chase during a game on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
Matt Gade/Mitchell Republic
Throughout the fourth quarter, both teams were held scoreless until Van Overschelde hit a mid range jump shot with 4:03 remaining in the game. Pierre’s Barry scored two layups in the final minute to cut the Kernel’s lead to two, but after a pair of free throws from Giblin and a putback layup by Stoebner with less than 15 seconds left, Mitchell managed to hold on and end the two-game losing streak.
Stoebner finished with eight points, along with a team-high 10 rebounds, seven assists and four steals. Kaitlyn Christensen had eight points and four rebounds while Giblin added nine points for the Kernels.
For Pierre, Barry scored a game-high 16 points on four made 3-point shots. Remington Price and Ayvrie Kaiser had six points each while Reese Terwilliger had seven points.
Mitchell has a full week off until its next game against Sturgis Brown and Witte said the Kernels will look to find ways to help the offense gel as Mitchell committed 19 turnovers and that is something that is not sustainable.
“We have to get a lot of rest this week and make sure we're fully healthy as a team,” Witte said. “Outside of that we need to work on offense, creating more motion within our offense and figure out ways to limit turnovers.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Mitchell hosts Sturgis Brown at 7 p.m. on Jan. 21 in the Corn Palace, followed by a matchup against Spearfish at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 22.
Branden is a sports reporter that graduated from Purdue University Northwest with a bachelor's degree in communications and a focus in journalism. He joined the Mitchell Republic in June 2021 and covers prep and collegiate athletics. He was also the lead on the Mitchell Republic Full-Court Press, providing a weekly web-exclusive look at high school basketball throughout all of South Dakota. Branden can be reached at bhull@mitchellrepublic.com and found on Twitter at @bhullreports.