ABERDEEN – Potter County was determined to reverse their only 2021-22 loss in the first round of the state tournament. Thanks to timely scoring, they did.
Three Battlers were in double figures as Potter County defeated Aberdeen Christian Thursday 63-48 in a first-round game of the SDHSAA Class B Boys State Tournament at the Barnett Center.
Grant Luikens had his third straight double-double and 11th of his Potter County career with 24 points and 10 rebounds, hitting three three-pointers. Drake Bassett scored 20, his best scoring game in over a month, on eight-of-13 shooting. Cooper Logan, who had averaged 23.5 points in his previous six games, scored 12 points, but also had eight rebounds, five steals and three assists.
Potter County (23-1), who lost at Aberdeen Christian 61-56 on January 14, came out strong, using a 15-6 run in the first quarter to take a 21-14 lead after eight minutes. Luikens scored nine in the opening period as the Battlers hit nine of their first 13 shots. Potter County led 29-22 at halftime and 47-37 after three quarters.
Aberdeen Christian (20-4) came to within five at 53-48 on a Jackson Isakson three-pointer with 3:17 left, but Potter County then scored the last 10 points of the game on two Seth Sharp free throws, field goals by Luikens and Bassett, two Luikens free throws, and another Bassett basket.
Potter County shot 40 percent and held Aberdeen Christian to 34 percent shooting while forcing 16 Knights turnovers. Isakson scored 14. Ethan Russell had 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Potter County will play Friday in a semifinal game against top seed and defending champion De Smet. Coverage will begin at around 5:40 on 100.7 KMLO and with online audio at the KMLO page at the DRG News app & drgnews.com.
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