The Stevens Girls’ basketball team have been having a great season They have fought hard times, stayed confident, and they have kept an impressive 14-4 record. Just recently beating Rapid City Christian 68-62, and senior Hayden Thorton scored her 1000th point in the fourth quarter with a step through scoop layup.
This years team is different from the past. With more seniors and less height, the girls are battling in every game. Head coach Adam Dannenbring says, “this year has been different then past years because the number of seniors that we have out … the leadership has been better because they got about their business and getting after is pretty professionally”.
This has been helpful for the team because they have been playing together for a while, so they understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Senior Guard Finley Love says, “our biggest strength is how much we move the ball and that everyone can score.” This has been very beneficial because they trust each of their teammates with the ball and have good ball movement to put them in scoring positions. One of their biggest weaknesses is their size. Senior Jessa Griswald states, “Our biggest weakness by far is our size”. The girls have overcome this weakness by using their speed to get up and down the court to score the ball.
The Stevens Girls are currently ranked number 3 heading into this weekends SoDak 16 matchup against Yankton. “I feel pretty good right now we are fairly healthy.” said Coach Dannenbring. The girls staying healthy is a huge part in making sure that they make it to the state tournament.
Griswald feels good going into post season, stating that “its going to be very hard but we are ranked at a good spot so we are set up good. This ranking means a lot because this determines who they play in the sweet 16 to make it to the state tournament which is the ultimate goal.
Coach Dannenbring says “I am thankful that I have a good group of coaches, players and managers.” This support around our girls as they go into post season will help push them to play best and accomplish big things. We wish The Stevens Girls Basketball good lick heading into this post season!