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Here are some of my thoughts concerning The Gregory County Pumped Storage meeting on January 25 in Burke, SD sponsored by MidAmerica Energy and Missouri River Energy Services.
Read moreIf you have a high school senior in your household you are probably wondering what is next for them and for you. Is your student off to a post-high educational training program, such as a technical or a four year college? Maybe they are off to the military, getting a job or maybe staying home with you for another year or longer. If this answer has not already been made and decided, you have probably already started to wonder when the decision will be made. You probably are aware that opportunities are slowly running out. You must be aware that programs are filling up and scholarship opportunities are beginning to to slip away to help pay for post-high school training.
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The Lady Raiders traveled to Irene to take on the Irene-Wakonda Eagles. Wagner would be the team flying high on this night. The Raiders would open the game on a 9-0 run. They would hold a 22-12 advantage after the first and then a 43-17 lead at the half. The Raiders would out score the Eagles 28-11 in the second and soar to a 71-28 victory. Wagner was led by Macy Koupal with 24 points, 2 boards, 3 assists and a team high 7 steals. Ashlyn Koupal would record a double-double with 23 points, 10 boards, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Emma Yost would be the third Raider in double figures with 15 points, 7 boards, 3 assists, and a steal. Shalayne Nagel would finish with 9 points. 6 boards, dish out a team high 8 assists, and come away with 6 steals. Eve Zephier would grab 3 boards, dish out 6 assists, and come away with 3 steals. Wagner would shoot 27-49 from the field for 55% while the Eagles would go 10-30 for 33%. Wagner would control the glass with a 3411 advantage. The Raiders would commit 12 turnovers compared to 25 from the Eagles. “This was a great night shooting for us. We shot over 50% from down town hitting 10-19. We did a great job of moving the basketball and then finishing at the rim. We did a great job on the glass getting 18 offensive boards.”
Read moreThe Lady Raiders finally got to play in front of a home crowd. It was January 10th when they last played a game here in Wagner. It was no easy task as the Hanson Beavers came to town. Wagner would start of quick on a 9-2 run, and had multiple opportunities to extend that lead with very good shots right at the rim. The Raiders would hold a 22-12 advantage after the first. Wagner would continue to miss some bunnies under the basket but still manage to take a 39-22 halftime lead into the locker room. Hanson would come out the second half stifling the Raiders in the third out scoring them 14-4 and cut the Raiders lead to 43-36. That would be as close as the Beavers would get as Wagner would put up 19 points in the 4th quarter and claim the 62-46 victory. Wagner would shoot 26-65 for 40% while the Beavers would be 18-56 for 32%. Wagner would dominate the glass which would eventually determine the outcome of the game by out rebounding Hanson 51-26. The Raiders would convert 5-11 from the line while Hanson would go 7-11. Wagner would commit 17 turnovers to Hanson’s 14. Ashlyn Koupal would pace Wagner with 26 points, 5 boards, 5 blocks, and 3 assists. Emma Yost would record another double-double with 12 points, a game high 16 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks. Macy Koupal nearly hit a triple-double with 10 points, 10 boards, 8 assists, and 3 steals. Shalayne Nagel would add 9 points, 11 rebounds, 5 steals, and 2 assists. Eve Zephier would finish with 6 points, 8 boards, and 2 assists. “This was a big win for us in our Region as we were both sitting #1 and #2. Offensively I thought we got a lot of great looks, but we didn’t convert. The officials in this game let people play physical and we have be able to mentally finish point blank shots that are contested and uncontested. Rebounding was a key to this game and for the lack of finishing shots we sure did an awesome job of hitting the boards. 16, 10, 9, 8, and 7 is what all of our starters finished with. We only gave up 7 offensive boards. We did a great job on their shooters as they were only 2-20 from threes. Now on to the next game on Thursday, another quality opponent in ACDC.”
Read moreThe Andes Central-Dakota Christian Thunder came to town last Thursday night in girls basketball action. The game would sway back and forth midway through the first quarter until the Raiders would hold a 14-10 advantage. Wagner would increase its lead to 10 midway only to see the Thunder claw their way back with in six points at halftime where the Raiders would hold a 32-26 advantage. Wagner would continue it’s scoring attack in the second half out scoring the Thunder 35-23 to win the game 67-49. Wagner would shoot 50% from the floor connecting on 28-55 attempts while the Thunder would go 18-37 for 49%. Wagner once again would dominate the glass winning the battle of boards 30-14. ACDC would commit 19 turnover compared just 10 from Wagner. Wagner would be led by Ashlyn Koupal’s 24 points, 7 boards, and 7 blocks. Shalayne Nagel would pack the stat line with 21 points, 9 boards, 6 assists, and 5 steals. Macy Koupal would add 9 points, 3 boards, and 2 assists. Emma Yost would finish with 6 points, 8 boards, 5 assists, 4 steals, and two blocks. Eve Zephier would add 4 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Lydia Yost would round out the scoring with 3 points and 2 boards. “ACDC is a solid team and their record of 11-2 speaks for itself. Offensively we did a great job of executing sets in the half court. Defensively we forced them into a position in the second half where they were uncomfortable in their offense and got them to force some shots. They also made some big three’s when they needed to. We dominated again on the glass which in turn gave us 18 more shots than the Thunder. We have to do a better job from the free throw line as in close games those points could decide the outcome.”
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