Coach Miller Game Recaps

Last Friday we traveled to Murdo to battle the Jones County Coyotes. The JH played hard against a much bigger team but lost 31-51. I was really impressed on how the boys responded to Coach Olson's halftime instruction. They scored 17 points in the 3rd quarter. The JV had a hard time scoring but played good defense in a 20-32 loss. The varsity came out slow and got behind by 10 early. Once we decided we can play with them, the game was even. We had a couple chances to cut the lead to 5, but couldn't get over the hump. Free throws also made a difference as we only made 2 of 13 and many of those were 1 and 1. JC has a very good group of Freshmen and will be quite good for years to come. To add to the adversity of playing the next Saturday afternoon, the bus broke down on the way home. An hour bus ride turned into over 2 hours.

Ethan

On Saturday we made up a doubleheader with Ethan that was postponed earlier in the season. Fatigue was evident, but both the JV and Varsity played hard. The JV lost 26-38 but the game was closer than the score. The varsity was able to control the pace of the game. We held a double digit lead for most of the game, but were not ever able to completely put the Rustlers away. Each time they made a run, someone made a big shot for us. Down the stretch, we played with great composure to secure the win. Jesse scored 30 points to lead the way, but everyone contributed. Holden had a great shooting day going 3-3 from three point land. Trevor cleared the glass with 9 rebounds, and Wesley scored 18 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, knocked away 4 steals, and dished out 6 assists (all season highs for him).

Wessington Springs

Tuesday we fell in all three games against Wessington Springs. The JH started out hot, not missing a shot in the first quarter and leading 14-12. Unfortunately we only scored 11 the rest of the game. The story of the night was Wessington Springs press. In all three games, they created havoc and turnovers which resulted in easy baskets for them. JH lost 25-46, JV lost 20-32, and the Varsity lost 48-69. The Spartans severely out rebounded us and we had trouble finishing on the break. We had opportunities once we broke the press, but could not get the ball to drop. Our hectic end of the season continues Friday against the #1 ranked Stickney/Corsica Jaguars. It is the final game for the JH and Parents Night. I would like to thank all the parents for their support and cheers. We are right back in action Saturday at 1:30 in Highmore, then finish the season Monday in the Corn Palace against Tripp/Delmont/Armour (Varsity only).

The Kimball Varsity played a makeup game with White Lake Tuesday night and we were defeated 54-35. The difference in the score came mostly from fast break points by the Wolverines. They are a good team and we just couldn't get the spark needed to make a run in the 4th quarter. They jumped out to an 10 point lead and it just stayed there throughout the game. We play 3 games in Murdo Friday, then makeup the doubleheader with Ethan @ 10 am on Saturday.
Coach Miller

The Kiotes split a pair of fast paced games against the Cowboys from Colome. The JV started fast and exchanged leads up until halftime. The second half we went cold only scoring 8 points. Final score 22-35. The Varsity started slow and had to work hard to get the game even at halftime. When we finally got over the hump and took the lead, we did not give it up. The game got chippy in the second half, but our boys held their composure to earn a 76-64 win. We make up the postponed Highmore/Harrold game Thursday night on the road.
Coach Miller

Kimball forgot to pack their football pads Friday night against the Wolsey/Wessington Warbirds. In each game we were outsized in height and weight. It was very physical. The JH team rallied late from down by 12 to nearly taking the lead. Final score 21-24. The JV game may have been the most physical as bodies were flying all over. It is a miracle nobody got seriously injured. The Warbirds failed to show any professional curtosy and ran the score up 66-15. The Varsity executed the game plan well, forcing them to shoot outside shots. Unfortunately, we were unable to secure the rebounds and we fell behind on second and third chance buckets. We made several runs to get within 8 but ran out of steam. Final Score 75-52. Each game the boys stepped up to the challenge and did not back down. I am proud of our composure and "How" we play. We host 2 games vs Colome on Tuesday.
Coach Miller

Kimball was harassed and run into the ground Tuesday night against the Crusaders from Sunshine Bible Academy. The first contest was a 'C' game (7-9) and the Kiotes played tough. We mounted a great comback in the 2nd quarter and again in the 3rd but ran out of gas in the 4th dropping the game 24-35. The second contest was decided by the Crusaders press. We struggled to get the ball across half court, which led to easy baskets for SBA. Seth Carsten grabbed 12 rebounds, but we were unable to convert any fast break layins. Final score 23-49. The Varsity game was a series of runs. The difference was SBA had a couple more and they took less time. They started out on a 9-2 run in 1 minute then we went on a 14-3 run over 5 minutes. This continued most of the game. Everytime we got close, SBA went on a 10 point run in a couple minutes. Final score 55-83. After a 4 day layoff, we will be back in the practice gym to prepare for 3 games in Wessington Friday night against Wolsey/Wessington.
Coach Miller

Due to the weather forecast, our game with Sanborn Central was moved up a day and played as a doubleheader with the girls. Unfortunately, the JH games had to be cancelled. The JV played hard, but lost. Our ball handling and passing against the press was really exposed as a weakness and will be a focus in upcoming practices. The players did an excellent job rebounding though. The Varsity improved to 5-4 overall on the season with a 54-47 win. We had several opportunities to extend the lead into double digits, but allowed the Rebels to fight back. We continue to improve on our transition game as more and more lanes are opening. The team will focus on some mental details in the coming weeks in order to be prepared for each situation. Kimball will be at home next Tuesday vs. Sunshine Bible. There will be a 7-9 (C) game, followed by the JV and Varsity games.
Coach Miller

Monday, January 18 - The JH Kiotes celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day by defeating Lower Brule 34-12 on our home court. Almost everyone got in the scoring book. Early in the game Brandon Overweg split his lip and left a bloody trail all the way to the lockerroom. Luckily there was no permanent damage and the rest of the team picked up the slack.

Burke

Tuesday, January 19 - All three teams make the winding road trip to Burke. Always a tough place to play, the JH ran out of gas in a 28-40 loss. They played a great first half only down by 1. The Cougars were dominant inside with their 6'3 Bill Walton look alike. He wore us down, but the boys played hard.

The JV game was sloppy both ways. We had a hard time getting the ball across half court against their zone press. We kept within striking range but never could get over the hump. Final score 23-36. Russell Pick played well at the point guard position.

The Varsity boys salvaged the night with a 50-42 victory. Good ball control and timely free throw shooting sealed the game with 3 minutes to go. Holden Surat made 2 key baskets in the 4th quarter and Wesley Kroupa drained a 3 pointer every time the Cougars made a run to get within 5. All three teams play Friday in Forestburg against Sanborn Central and the JH has the Kimball Tournament on Saturday.

Coach Miller

Plankinton:

The Kiotes earned the elusive sweep against the Pirates of Plankinton Friday January 15, winning all 3 contests. In addition, great food was served before-hand at the FBLA 2nd Annual Chili Cook-off and afterwards by the team's mothers, who prepared homemade pizza.

The JH boys started the night off with a decisive 22-8 victory. Riley Talbott had the hot hand with 10 points while Brandon Overweg controlled the boards. Each player contributed and played with great composure against much larger opponents.

The JV boys continued the streak by posting a hard fought 33-28 victory. The game was back and forth and finally put away with some nice assists down the stretch. Shawn Harmon led in scoring with 11 followed by Russell Pick's 9 and Nathan Brodkorb's 8. Seth Carsten and Micheal Bale each gathered 6 rebounds.

The Varsity squad finished the evening with a 49-44 victory that came down to free throws. Jesse Taylor scored 19 points, but the real key to the game was the balanced rebounding. The Kiotes had 5 players with over 5 rebounds each.