The Class 2A girls regional basketball tournament kicked off Saturday night, and a trio of area teams saw their season’s come to an abrupt close. Okoboji traveled to Sioux Central in the first round, but the Rebels proved to be too much for the Pioneers, who fell 48-27. Senior Paisley Jones scored ten points, going 6-of-7 from the free throw line. Head coach Abby Goodlaxson says too many turnovers and other miscues were hard to overcome. Okoboji ends their season with a 5-18 record. Sioux Central was paced by Morgan Walker’s 16 points. The Rebels advance to the second round to battle Alta/Aurelia, which defeated Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn, 53-38. Onica Jacobs, in her final game in a Hawks uniform, dropped in a team-high 14 points. HMS wraps up their season at 7-14 overall.
Other scores in the Class 2A, Region 1 bracket included Ridge View over South O’Brien 58-38, top-ranked OA-BCIG dismantling Cherokee 106-41, Sioux Center ended Sibley-Ocheyedan’s season with a 48-31 decision, Sheldon topped Unity Christian 59-45, Western Christian pounded on West Lyon 67-37, and Hinton blew by Rock Valley 86-17.
In the Region 2 bracket, Lakes Conference champion Estherville-Lincoln Central defeated rival Emmetsburg in the opening round, 47-26. The E-Hawks had four players tally five points each as their season ends with a 7-14 record. ELC was paced by Emily Kirchner’s 20 points. The Midgets move on to Tuesday’s second round to play Forest City, who took down Garner-Hayfield, 63-48.
