GROTON, S.D. – The Mobridge-Pollock Lady Tigers extended their win streak to eight games with a 51-47 victory over the Groton Area Tigers. Mobridge-Pollock got out to an early lead but never fully put Groton Area away, as the game came down to the final few minutes. The Lady Tigers strong defense is what ended up winning them the game as they improved to 14-3 on the season.
The victory marks the longest winning streak in the high school careers of the current Lady Tigers. The run began Jan. 20 with a 73-48 win over Cheyenne-Eagle Butte, which is currently 15-4. Mobridge-Pollock carried that momentum forward with big wins over Todd County, 68-30; Chamberlain, 64-20; Belle Fourche, 55-18; and Sully Buttes, 85-29. The Lady Tigers dominant wins also came against teams with winning records, defeating Herreid/Selby Area, 59-32, and Dell Rapids, 65-41.
That momentum continued into yesterday’s matchup, where Mobridge-Pollock once again started the game with quick offense and stifling defense. The Lady Tigers connected from beyond the arc and had control at halftime. However, Groton Area mounted a second-half comeback. Mobridge-Pollock’s outside shots stopped falling, while Groton Area capitalized at the free-throw line. The Lady Tigers had not faced a tight second half in nearly a month, and the late pressure was nearly costly. Still, strong defensive play in the closing moments earned the Lady Tigers the win.
During the eight-game streak, multiple players have stepped up. With Senior Night approaching next week, the senior class has played a key role. Blake Thompson has continued her standout season, scoring from all areas of the court. Tegan Konold has been a force on defense and started to heat up offensively in recent games. Faith Heil has provided key contributions that may not appear on the stat sheet but have had a significant impact on results. Jacy Netterville has developed into a great defender capable of hitting tough shots in big moments. Jayda Thompson has consistently delivered energy off the bench, while Ellie Kemnitz has made the most of her minutes, contributing to a bench unit that has become one of the team’s strengths.
In their next time out Mobridge-Pollock will be back on the road for their last away game of the regular season taking on Lakota Tech Monday, February 16 with tipoff scheduled for around 2:00 p.m.
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GROTON, S.D. – The Mobridge-Pollock Tigers fell 78-49 to ranked Groton Area on Friday night, dropping to 10-6 on the season. Despite the final score, Mobridge-Pollock did not appear overmatched but struggled to keep pace with Groton Area’s offensive output.
The loss capped a roller-coaster stretch for the Tigers. Just weeks ago, Mobridge-Pollock suffered a 52-50 buzzer-beater loss to Chamberlain, a defeat that hurt the Tigers regional standing. The following night, the Tigers fell to Dell Rapids 72-52 for their second regular-season loss to the Quarriers. Mobridge-Pollock responded with three straight wins, beginning with a 58-49 victory over Cheyenne-Eagle Butte. The Tigers followed with a 43-27 win against Belle Fourche and a 70-58 comeback win over Todd County. Their biggest test came in Onida against Sully Buttes, which was unbeaten at home at the time. Mobridge-Pollock answered with one of its most complete performances of the season, earning a 71-63 victory.
That set up a key matchup against Groton Area, with both teams eyeing home court advantage for the regional playoffs. The Tigers momentum stalled as Groton Area jumped out to a fast start. Mobridge-Pollock had opportunities but struggled to convert, while Groton’s seniors delivered on senior night. Keegan Tracy led the way with 32 points, putting on a standout performance for the home crowd.
Mobridge-Pollock received solid efforts from its starting lineup of Shooter Frederick, Easton Eisemann, Kale Knudson, Kyson Good Shield and Jesse Schneider, who have played well in recent weeks. Trueth Crow Ghost also has stepped into a larger role, contributing key minutes as a starter in the past few games.
The Tigers face a challenging finish to the regular season. Mobridge-Pollock has three remaining home games against opponents with a combined 40-9 record. If the Tigers can stay unbeaten at home and win out, they could still secure a top regional seed, earning the opportunity to host regional playoff games. With two weeks left in the regular season, Mobridge-Pollock will look for one final push to get some key wins before the playoffs.
In their next time out Mobridge-Pollock will be back home to take on Stanley County Tuesday, February 17 with an estimated tipoff scheduled around 6:30 p.m.
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