The Le Mars girls basketball team started the postseason with a strong win at home on Wednesday night defeating Storm Lake 67-33.
The first half was a tale of two quarters for the Bulldogs. Le Mars led 9-3 after first quarter and proceeded to outscore the Tornadoes 25-6 in the second quarter. Head Coach Cody Dyhrkopp says he wanted his team to play fast, and, once they got to the second quarter, they did just that.
It was an interesting scenario with the two teams having played each other the week prior. Le Mars forced 26 turnovers in that meeting, but Storm Lake was still breaking Le Mars’ press too easily for their liking. Coach Dyhrkopp says they made a tweak to it that made it even stronger for their second meeting.
The Bulldogs made a whopping 13 three-point field goals for the game with seven coming in the third quarter alone. Coach Dyhrkopp says hot shooting is contagious for his team.
Jaelyn Marienau hit three of those three-point field goals and put up 11 points off the bench. She has been a quiet unsung hero of this team coming off the bench and just doing her job as she is told. Coach Dyhrkopp says that makes her a very valuable part of the team.
The Bulldogs advance to the regional semifinal with a 13-9 record with the win over the Tornadoes. That secures a third meeting with third-ranked Bishop Heelan on Saturday night in Sioux City. The Bulldogs have been frothing at the mouth for another opportunity at the Crusaders after letting them get away in January. Coach Dyhrkopp says he likes where the Bulldogs are at defensively, and offensively they need to be stronger with the basketball to come away with a win.
The Bulldogs got 15 points apiece from Sarah Brown and Metta Skov in the win. Storm Lake’s season comes to an end with a record of 8-13.
