Trio of Lynx net double-digits in 70-62 loss

Brandon Valley went up against one of Class AA’s early-season frontrunners, the Lincoln Patriots, and despite the 70-62 setback in Friday’s season-opener, the Lynx showed their fans that they’re a team that’s not going to just roll over and die.

BV head coach Brent Deckert remains “very encouraged” although the Lynx “didn’t play great” in their first outing.

“Sioux Falls Lincoln has some dudes on their team,” Deckert said. “They are a very athletic team but I thought we battled and never gave up. They can do some things to you that are impossible to replicate in practice.”

The Patriots built minimal leads throughout the first half, but Brandon Valley managed to keep the Pats in check, notching the game at 9-9 in the first quarter and 20-20 in the second before the 29-22 half-time score, Lincoln’s favor.

The Lynx were unable to match Lincoln’s firepower in the third quarter, as the Pats out-scored BV 23-15 for the 52-37 score after three quarters. The scoring swing turned BV’s way in the fourth, as the Lynx dumped in 25 points to Lincoln’s 18, but the late-game effort wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit.

A trio of Lynx netted double digits. Junior Evan Talcott’s 21 points led all scorers. He was joined in double figures by Carter Olthoff and Cade Terveer, both who dropped in a dozen points. Max Wilde and Nate Keegan each chipped in six.

The Lynx shot 36 percent from the field (18-50) and cashed in on 7 of 27 from the perimeter, a 26 percent performance. At the free throw line, BV collected on 19-29 (66 percent).

The numbers were similar for Lincoln, who hit 22 of 46 from the floor (48 percent) and 7-19 from beyond the arc, a 37 percent effort. They, too, connected on 19-34 free throws (56 percent).

Diang Gatluak was one of five Patriots to score in double figures. Gatluak led the way with 19 points. Alex Glanzer added 16 points, Jared Jaros had 12 points, Dillon Barrow scored 11 and Christophe Bwanya notched 10 points.

The Metro Conference teams also matched up the boards, with both hauling in 37. Olthoff and Terveer both had six for the Lynx; Max Wilde grabbed five. For Lincoln, Barrow and Jymell Nave had six and five, respectively.

BV registered four assists (Wilde had two), four steals (Talcott had two), and four blocked shots. Lincoln recorded two assists, seven steals and a solo blocked shot.

The Lynx turned the ball over 14 times to Lincoln’s 17.

With the season opener now in the books, Deckert views better days ahead for the Lynx.

“We’ve got plenty to build on after an opening game. This team has the chance to be special. Nothing about this season will be easy. There will be plenty of ups and downs but a big hurdle will be realizing and having the vision to see how good we can become,” he said.

The Lynx boys will play the nightcap of a girl-boy doubleheader Thursday night at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls. The Lady Lynx and the Yankton Gazelles tip off at 6:15 p.m., followed by Brandon Valley and Yankton boys at 8. Next Tuesday, the Lynx boy travels up I-29 to Watertown for a 7 p.m. meeting with the Arrows.

BV 9 22 37 62

SFL 15 29 52 70

BV (2PFG, 3PFG, FT, TP): Evan Talcott 1-2 4-13 7-11 21; Carter Olthoff 3-6 1-3 3-4 12; Cade Terverr 3-8 1-3 3-4 12; Max Wilde 2-2 0-3 2-3 6; Nate Keegan 1-3 1-4 1-2 6; Alex Tietjen 1-1 0-0 2-3 4; Ethan Rasmussen 0-0 0-0 1-2 1; Caden Deckert 0-0 0-1 0-0 0; Jacob Rechtenbaugh 0-0 0-0 0-0 0; Cole Siegfried 0-1 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 11-23 7-27 19-29 62.

Jr. Varsity

BV 6 8 14 25

SFL 19 31 45 60

Lynx highlights: Jacob Rechtenbaugh 7 points; Eli Peyton 6; Jaxon LaBrie 4.

Sophomore

JV 14 20 26 41

SFL 12 38 56 65

Lynx highlights: Gavin Terhark 13 points; Thomas Scholten 10 points; Aydin Lloyd 6.

Freshmen A

BV 6 20 52 

SFL 16 26 49

Lynx highlights: Jackson Hilton 18 points; Alex Tietjen 11; Joe Kolbeck 11.

Freshmen B

BV 13 31 40 50

SFL 12 22 36 45

Lynx highlights: Joe Zahn 20 points; Austin Vigants 10; Jace Christoffer 5.