Joe Schulte Racks Up 16 Points at Dell Rapids

The Bulldogs’ varsity basketball team took a loss to Dell Rapids — one of the best teams in the state —  on the road on January 14. Logan Diede, head coach for Milbank, said, “We struggled out of the gate  defensively to get them guarded, and we had a few turnovers early on that got us in a hole. But I was very proud of how we kept battling and focused on each possession to get the game calmed down in the second quarter.” The final score was 43-76.

Diede went on to say, “DR is currently one of the best teams in the state with their incredible size and guard play, how well they shoot, and how talented they are. Opponents really have to take care of the ball and shoot a high percentage for 32 minutes. Unfortunately, we didn’t do that for long enough stretches on Saturday. 

“But, we never stopped competing, talking, and battling until the final whistle,” Diede added, “That’s the mindset we will need every night out, and our boys understand that. A big positive is that we matched their physicality and size well on the boards with our rebounding.”

Milbank had three shooters in double figures. Joe Schulte led the team with 16 points and five rebounds. Garrett Mertens and Jaxson Wildung each added 10. Wildung pulled down seven rebounds and Mertens grabbed three. 

Yohanna Ajwanga controlled six rebounds –four for the defense and two for the offense. He also dropped in a free throw. Aiden Ludvigson added four points and two rebounds. Graham Lightfield hit one field goal.
The Bulldogs shot 37.5 percent from the floor, including 38.5 percent from beyond the arc. The Dawgs dropped in eight of 16 from the free throw line for 50 percent.

The Qaurriers proved hard to beat once their scoring machine, Brayden Pankuen, warmed up. He pumped in 27 points. Luke Randall had 10. Jack Henry had nine. Rhett Kloth made eight points. He also led Dell Rapids in rebounds with seven.

The Quarriers hit 52.5 percent of their shots, including 44 percent of the three-pointers. They downed five of 11 from the charity stripe, but none of them were in the second half.

JV Game: Milbank  32 vs. Dell Rapids 37 The Bulldogs’ JV team came up just shy of a victory with a final score of 32-27 at Dell Rapids on January 14.  Emmett Hanson led the way for Milbank with 10 points and seven rebounds. Braylen Bowsher had six points and four rebounds Ryan Keeton added five points and three rebounds. 

Mason Meister and Bryan Meyer each put in four points. Meyer added four rebounds for the defense. Sebastian Hooth made three points and pulled down six rebounds.

The Bulldogs were on target with 13 of 39 of their shots for 33.3 percent. They hit four of 10 free shots for 40 percent.

Cole Rucsink was the leading scorer for Dell Rapids with 15 points. Lincoln Fersdahl made seven points and grabbed five rebounds. The Qaurriers struggled at the free throw line and landed just one of seven for 14 percent.

What’s next for Milbank? The Bulldogs take on Waubay-Summit in Waubay on Tuesday, Jan 17.

C-Team Game: Milbank 40 vs. Dell Rapids 27 Milbank’s C team led 24-11 at halftime during their game against the Quarriers on January 14 in Dell Rapid. Both teams scored 16 points in the second half, but the Bulldogs relied on their early lead to bring home the victory at 40-27.

Ryan Keeton knocked in nine points and two rebounds. Charlie Peery also made nine points — all three-pointers. 

Este Abrego-Gonzalez made six points and led the team in rebounds with eight. Howie Zemlicka also put up six points. He nabbed three rebounds. Braylen Bowsher added five points and two rebounds. Garrett Weber contributed three points and three rebounds.

The Bulldogs shot 37 percent from thee floor, including 50 percent from three-point land. They sank three of 11 free throws for 27 percent.

The Quarriers made 35.5 percent of their shots including 27 percent from long range. The Bulldogs only allowed Dell Rapids two shots from the line. They made one.

What’s next for Milbank? The Bulldogs take on Waubay-Summit in Waubay on Tuesday, Jan 17.

Photos: Jaxson Wildung lays the ball up for two.
Bottom- Garrett Mertens slips past the defender and heads to the basket.