ETHAN -- The No. 4 Ethan Rustlers girls basketball team is off to a quick start in its 2014-15 campaign.
The undefeated Rustlers are averaging 60 points per game and holding opponents to just 29 points per game en route to a 4-0 record and a top-five ranking in the Class B polls.
"Our senior leadership provided by (seniors) Morgan Tuttle and Darbi Gustafson has been key to our success early this season," Ethan head coach Tom Young said. "Having them in the program has made it much easier for the transition for me as a new coach."
The quick start has set up a top-five matchup for Ethan in the Parkston Girls Classic as the Rustlers take the court against No. 3 Sully Buttes at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday in Parkston.
A total of seven games will be played at the Parkston Classic on Saturday. Other matchups include: Corsica/Stickney vs. Chester Area at 10:30 a.m., Wagner vs. Dell Rapids at 12:00 p.m., Hanson vs. Highmore-Harrold at 1:30 p.m., Mount Vernon/Plankinton vs. Groton Area at 3 p.m., St. Thomas More vs. Tri-Valley at 6 p.m. and Parkston vs. Aberdeen Roncalli at 7:30 p.m.
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The Rustlers are coming off a 68-26 win over James Valley Christian on Monday in Huron and Young said his team has continued to work hard in each practice to improve.
"Our strength has been the willingness and effort by our players to work hard and improve every day in practice," Young, who is in his first year coaching at Ethan, said. "The previous strength of the program, consistent defense and our attitude also play a role in our success."
Three Rustlers are averaging over 10 points per game this year. Gustafson, a 6-foot-1 center, is averaging 13 points and seven rebounds per game, while sophomore guard Kacey Bartscher is averaging 16 points a game. Sophomore forward Ellie Hohn is averaging 14 points per game and adds an average of four steals per game.
Young said the strong start to the season hasn't stopped the team from focusing on improving.
"Our focus has been on trying to get better with each game," Young said. "We know that there are some very good teams on our schedule still."
Ethan's Rachel Hawkins, a sophomore guard, leads the team in assists, averaging four assists a game while adding eight points per game.
While Ethan will face its toughest test of the season against Sully Buttes on Saturday, Young said his team is well aware of what needs to continue to keep having success, as well as knock off defending District 8 champion Hanson.
"We know we must improve in all areas to have a chance of having success at tournament time" Young said. "Hanson has dominated our district for many years. We know we can't let up."
