Adding three more wins to their 11-3 record, the Dell Rapids Quarrier girls basketball team kept pace with area teams in the past two weeks of match-ups.

A Jan. 17 match versus West Central in Hartford proved a tight game for the girls, as a halftime score of 18-18 kept intensity high.

“We actually started this game better than we had but couldn’t close it out this time,” coach Jeff Dvorak said. “Unfortunately they caught fire and outscored us.”

The Dells girls pulled a one-point lead toward the end of the third quarter but were overcome in the last four minutes, ending the game at 50-36 in favor of West Central.

“We missed our final eight free throw attempts when we could have kept ourselves in the game,” Dvorak said, “but couldn’t hit those or generate any offense to dig out of the hole we were in.”

Haley Fiedler led the scoring for Dells, with 15 points, while Brianna Davis kicked in 10 points. Sam Steineke helped out on the defensive side, with nine rebounds, while Fiedler picked up four rebounds out of the total 22 for the team.

Dell Rapids vs. Sioux Valley

The Quarriers hosted Sioux Valley Jan. 20 and managed to maintain the lead throughout the game.

“Sioux Valley has a very young team, but they handle themselves well for their lack of experience,” Dvorak said. “We were unable to shake them with pressure and, as a result, came away with very few transition points.”

The Dells girls led Sioux Valley at the half, 20-13, and were able to pull out the win in the end with a 47-32 final score.

“Thankfully, the girls were patient and didn’t force shots or panic, and we were able to wear them down a bit and sunk some outside shots as the night went on,” the coach said.

Davis led the girls’ offensive game, with 16 points, while Paige Bunkers added nine to the total, and Fiedler contributed eight.

Bunkers racked up the steals (4), with Davis assisting (3), and Fiedler brought the team seven of its total 25 rebounds.

Dell Rapids vs. Beresford

A Beresford game Jan. 24 on Dell Rapids’ home turf brought the girls another decisive victory, leading doubly at the half, 28-14, and pulling out a 50-38 victory.

Coach Dvorak attributed the win to three things: limited turnovers, owning the boards and heart and hustle.

“Two years ago we played pretty much this same team and had 37 turnovers,” he said. “Although they held a slim edge in rebounding it felt like we owned the boards.”

Dvorak said that a tall Beresford team didn’t deter the Quarriers.

“They start three girls right at six feet tall,” he said. “We might make one six-footer if Paige gave Bri a piggyback ride.”

Davis led the scoring drive with 21 points and five steals, while Bunkers kicked in nine points. Steineke led the defensive with eight rebound and three steals.

“We really found another gear tonight,” Dvorak said. “Anytime you can knock off a Top 3 team in the state, it’s a great night.”

Dell Rapids vs. Pipestone

The Quarriers hosted another team last Saturday from Pipestone, resulting in another Dells win. Leading the half, 20-19, the girls stuck it through and narrowly defeated the opponents 39-37.

“There is one word that best describes our games with Pipestone over the years – rough,” Dvorak said. “They bring a very physical style when they come, and, if you are not ready, it will be a long night.”

The coach said the girls handled themselves well in this opposition, despite poor shooting due to a strong Pipestone defense.

“Fortunately, we did not shy away and stuck in there,” he said.

Despite a three-pointer by Pipestone that gave them a one-point lead in the last 20 seconds of the game, Bunkers handed the ball off to Fiedler who sent it over to Davis, resulting in a buzzer-beater three-pointer that won the game.

“I am so proud of our kids’ ability to keep their poise and get this win,” Dvorak said.