Tornado Girls Falter in First Test of Busy Week

Posted By: Daniel Hepner
February 1, 2021 @ 10:34 pm
Sports

Kindred, ND (NewsDakota.com) – With three big games in the span of eight days leading up to the start of the District 5 tournament, the Oakes Tornadoes girls’ basketball team lost their first test to the #2 ranked Kindred Vikings 73-44 Monday night.

While the game was over as a contest early, there was some excitement as junior Abby Duchscherer of the Vikings scored her 2,000th point of her varsity career. The basket came with 1:40 remaining in the 3rd quarter on a runner from the left baseline, and the basket was followed by a timeout and well-deserved standing ovation from the crowd as acknowledgement of her accomplishment.

The Vikings started out on top, jumping out to a 10-2 lead and never looking back. The game was 24-6 after the first quarter and 41-18 at halftime. With a running clock due to the score difference, the fourth quarter was played mostly by younger players for both teams.

Duchscherer led all scorers with 27 points (all in the first three quarters), and fellow junior Terryn Johnson added 16. Sophomore Laikyn Roney was the only Tornado in double digits with 18 points, while sophomore Emma Muggli and junior Abby Cox each had eight. Senior Sadie Hansen, usually a lead scorer for the Tornadoes, struggled throughout the game, finishing with just five points and one made field goal.

The Vikings entered the week as the second ranked team in the state behind undefeated Central Cass, who beat Kindred earlier in the year. Regardless, Tornado coach Brennan Hack said that Kindred is the team to beat in the state. The Vikings improved to 12-3, while the Tornadoes fell to 12-2.

Tuesday night, the Tornado boys will host the Lamoure-Litchville/Marion Loboes with action live on KDDR 1220 am/95.9 fm beginning around 7:15 pm. Thursday, the girls will get their next test when they visit the Linton-HMB Lions (ranked #5 in the state) before hosting Central Cass next Monday. The Tornado boys will travel to Ellendale on Friday for the annual Cowbell Game. Each of those games will be live on KDDR with action beginning around 7:15 pm.